Chapter 2

Kala and Harvey sipped their wine leisurely while watching the world slowly go by. The birds soared high above their heads and darted around playfully. Curious squirrels jumped from branch to branch, while leaves fell slowly around the couple like confetti.

"This wine really is delicious," Harvey announced.

"It tastes even better under the circumstances" chuckled Kala.

Harvey smiled.

The sun glistened through the golden liquid.

They finished their glasses and Kala went to rest her head on Harvey's lap.

"This is nice," she hummed.

"I'm so happy" replied Harvey as he gave Kala a peck on her forehead.

After a little while of bathing in the glow of their feelings of bliss Kala slowly stood up.

"I suppose we should make our way back now." Kala yawned.

Harvey groaned as he stood up.

"I still can't believe you would want to marry an old man like me," he said half-jokingly.

Kala gave him a swift kiss on the cheek.

"You're not that old" She smiled.

Harvey and Kala made their way back down the mountain with the evening sun warming their backs.

Kala unlocked her front door and flung her backpack onto the couch. Harvey followed her inside to the kitchen. Kala began pouring two glasses of cool water.

"Here you go" Kala passed one of the glasses to Harvey and took a big gulp from her own glass.

"Thank you." Harvey took a large sip.

Beads of sweat were still forming on both of their faces and their hair was damp as if they had been caught in the rain. Kala pushed her fringe to one side and examined the droplets on her hand.

"We could both use a shower" Kala snickered.

"Do you want to stay for a bit? We could get cleaned up, have some dinner and finish that wine" Kala questioned, sheepishly.

Harvey hesitated for a second or two then replied.

"We shouldn't let that wine go to waste, should we?"

Kala smiled.

"Do you want to have a shower first? I can get you a spare towel, and um…" Kala paused to think.

"I don't think I have any spare clothes that would fit you…" Kala looked disappointed.

"It's ok. I brought a spare shirt actually" Harvey piped.

Kala raised an eyebrow before quickly turning away to find that extra towel. She didn't know whether Harvey had ulterior motives from the start or if he was just well-prepared. "No, no, Harvey isn't that kind of guy," Kala thought to herself. "It must just be the romance of the day making me think about these kinds of things." She followed up her train of thought.

"Here you are!" Kala beamed and handled Harvey a bright blue and green towel.

"Thank you,"

"You can use any of the soaps and shampoos in there, none of it is particularly special," Kala chirped.

"Sure, thank you," Harvey headed off towards the bathroom.

Kala wandered back to the kitchen and heard the shower turn on. "It's pretty nice having someone else around the house, and pretty soon it will always be like this" She pondered and smiled as she began to chop up some veggies.

Kala was placing the wine glasses on the table as she heard the bathroom door unlock. She peered over. Harvey was wearing a casual pale shirt and black boxer-briefs. Kala quickly turned away and blushed intensely. "Oh dear, was he not finished getting dressed?" She asked herself.

Harvey came around the corner drying his hair with the towel. He saw Kala's red cheeks.

"Oh sorry, I must have forgotten to pack some spare trousers," Harvey blushed a little.

"I.. I didn't think you would mind, seeing as we're engaged now," Harvey added.

"Er... Of course not. I was just a little shocked that's all," Kala said flustered and trying to hold back a nervous laugh.

"Anyway.. you must be hungry. Let's eat! I'll grab a shower a bit later," Kala announced.

"Ok," Harvey took a seat at the dining table.

Kala poured out the remaining wine and served up some grilled salmon with steamed broccoli, green beans and carrots.

"Smells delicious" Said Harvey as they both dug in.

The couple finished their plates and their glasses.

Harvey leaned back in his chair and mused, "That was divine, thank you,"

Kala was already pouring out the remainder of the bottle between her and Harvey's glasses. "I'm glad you enjoyed it,"

"Woah, woah, slow down. I'm already getting tipsy here," He feigned protest.

Kala continued until both glasses were full. "We can't let this go to waste now, can we?" She grinned brazenly. "Besides, we're celebrating!"

"O..okay," He blushed as he indulged his fiancee, then took another sip.

The night continued on as they nursed their drinks and chatted about trivial things. After a while Kala suddenly sat up straight in her chair, "Oh! I should go get myself in the shower before the alcohol takes hold," she proclaimed but her cheeks were already flushed.

She wandered over to the bathroom and shortly after Harvey heard the water raining down from across the house. He continued to sip from his glass but could feel his eyelids becoming heavy.

Kala emerged from the bathroom after some time, longer than her usual shower. By this point the alcohol had clouded her judgement to the point where she thought donning her silky, sheer stockings, and lacy black underwear was a good idea. Her face flushed a deep red as she prepared to unveil herself to Harvey.

"...ok, I'm finished," She called out across the hallway.

No reply.

Not wanting to continue shouting she began to cautiously tiptoe her way back to the dining room. She took each step more slowly than usual, in an attempt to keep her footing against the smooth wooden floor in her brand-new, glossy stockings. Kala could hear the familiar ticking of the clock and the more peculiar sound of gentle and rhythmic sighing. As Kala drew closer to the dining room the scene became clear. Harvey's head on the table, cradled by his arms. He was quietly snoozing. Kala grinned, it had been a busy day after all.

"Ok, let's get you to bed then," she spoke softly to him.

"mm hm," Harvey replied in his half-conscious state.

Kala gently removed his glasses and brushed his hair away from his face. She lifted under his arms to encourage him to stand. Him began to wake a little, but was not completely aware of his surroundings.

"Where are we going?" he mused.

"To bed," she smiled innocently.

Kala draped his right arm over her shoulders to support him as he took each wobbly step.

"Ok, sounds good," He yawned.

Eventually they made it to the bedroom. Kala sat Harvey down on her double bed and instinctively he laid down and pulled the covers up to his chin. Kala stumbled around to the other side of the bed and joined him under the covers.

"Good night, my love," She whispered then gently placed a kiss on his forehead.

"Mmm," He smiled then began to snore.

The sunlight began to burst through the curtains and creeped it's way onto the couple's bodies. The brightness and gentle warmth woke Harvey. He squinted through the drowsiness and took some time to become aware of his surroundings. Once he realised where he was he bolted upright in shock. He immediately noticed a warm heaviness tugging at his arm. Kala was still sleeping soundly while latched onto his arm. He smiled as her angelic face before realising the implications of the situation. He frantically searched his memories for what might have occurred the previous evening, before accepting the fact that he could not recall anything past dinner. Harvey began to get out of bed. Kala started to stir as she felt the disturbance. Her eyes slowly opened but remained heavy with sleep.

"Good morning," she yawned. She sat up and stretched, revealing her lacy lingerie.

"G..g..g good morning," Harvey blushed and sputtered out the words. In his mind, his partner's attire had confirmed his suspicions.

Kala noted his expression and recalled the previous evening. Before she could set Harvey's mind at ease he spoke.

"Kala, I'm so sorry," He looked distraught.

"It's ok! Every-," Harvey cut her off.

"No! It's not ok. You… you were vulnerable and I…," Kala had a puzzled expression on her face.

He continued. "I took advantage of you," Harvey averted his gaze.

"You what?" Kala questioned.

"Clearly, I had too much to drink and, and…"

"Harvey, wait," She commanded his attention, "What do you think happened last night?"

"Um, well. We had some drinks with dinner and then we must have gone to bed together," He paused. "But, we were intoxicated and so I fear I may have pressured you," He sighed. "... and I don't even remember it,"

Kala smirked, then could no longer hold back her laughter.

"Wh.. why are you laughing? This is serious, what if you become pregnant?"

Kala wiped a tear from her eye. "Harvey, you're so sweet. Let me explain,"

He looked into her eyes with anticipation.

"I can understand why you would think that based on what I'm wearing," She admired her outfit for a moment. "But, after I showered last night I found you sound asleep at the dining table,"

"I was already asleep?"

She nodded. "Yes, I decided that you should just sleep here. I hope you don't mind," She shrugged.

"So you're saying that we didn't have, er, sexual relations?" Such words shouldn't be difficult for a doctor but even Harvey found himself blushing when confronted with the one he adores so deeply.

"Nope, I mean I guess we did sleep together. But in the most literal sense," She smirked.

"Besides, you were the one who was unconscious. If anything had happened it would be me at fault," Kala emphasised.

Harvey shifted nervously. "Er, yes, I suppose you're right,"

Harvey sighed "I… I'm so relieved,"

Kala closed in to embrace her fiance. Her mouth melted into his.

"I love you," She whispered once her lips released his.

Harvey's cheeks were burning as they parted. "Ah, well, what's the time? We best get ready for work,"

"Oh yeah! Can't have you being late, can we?" She smirked briefly such that Harvey couldn't tell if his beloved was being serious or gently mocking him.

Kala looked over to the wall clock and Harvey followed her gaze.

"6:20, huh?" She stated.

"What?!" He exclaimed. "I thought it must have been later than that!" he shifted his gaze then added, "...Considering it all..."

"Speak for yourself! I'm usually out on the farm by now!" She chuckled.

"I suppose, I shouldn't keep you then…"

Kala smiled, "Weeeell,..." She crept her hands around his waist and drew herself in for another embrace while maintaining her gaze on him. "...the chickens can wait a bit longer just this once," Her eyes sparkled as she smirked.

Harvey blushed. "o..ok,"

Harvey walked hurriedly through Pelican town, until he was almost jogging. Glancing at his watch every few seconds, he desperately wanted to make it back to the clinic before Maru arrived for her shift. The glass door was in sight. Harvey breathed a sigh of relief as Maru was nowhere to be seen. He slipped his hand into the pocket of his shorts and searched for the keys. Nothing. He checked the other pocket. Again, nothing. Beginning to panic a little, he removed his backpack and began rifling through it. After a minute or so of searching he had found them. The keys were, of course, secured in one of the side pockets for safe keeping. Focussed on the lock, he began to insert the key.

"Good morning, Harvey!" A cheerful voice startled him.

"Hah.. good morning, Maru," He returned her smile.

As Maru approached she examined the situation. Harvey's cheeks were flushed, his hair unkempt and a bead of sweat rolled down his neck.

"H.. how was your weekend?" He stuttered.

"Oh, you know, it was ok. How was yours?" The emphasis confirmed to Harvey that Maru knew something was up.

"G… good! It was really good, thank you," He could feel his cheeks burning.

Maru smiled as Harvey opened the clinic's door and let them both in.

As the door closed behind them Maru broke the silence, "Spent the night at Kala's then?"

Harvey stopped in his tracks. He let out a quiet sigh "Haaa… I suppose it's pretty obvious," He forced a defeated smile.

Maru grinned, "Well it's either that or you took up early morning running,"

"Did that possibility really seem so unlikely?" Harvey was a little offended but he laughed it off.

Maru chuckled. "It's ok, I won't tell," She brought a finger to her lips playfully. Harvey knew well how gossip spreads in this small town.

"Actually, I have something to tell you,"

"Hm? What is it?" She replied instinctively.

Harvey took a deep breath, still unsure if he was dreaming "Kala and I are getting married," His eyes glistened with love.

"Oh! Congratulations!" Maru bounced with excitement.

"Ha ha, thank you,"

"You'll have to tell me all about the pro-," She was cut off as Evelyn opened the door for her wheelchair-bound husband.

Maru hurried over to them to hold the door open. "Good morning, Mrs Evelyn, Mr George. You're a little early today,"

"Oh Dr Harvey doesn't mind," She hadn't yet noticed him standing there in shorts and a t-shirt.

Maru smirked "Well, you may need to wait for a bit this morning. The Doctor isn't quite ready yet,"

Evelyn looked over towards Harvey, "Oh dear, yes I see. That's not a problem, you take your time Doctor,"

"Hmph, lazy kids these days," George grumbled.

"Dr Harvey has just taken up running, and I think he's not quite used to incorporating it into his morning routine yet," Maru gave a subtle wink to the doctor.

Harvey broke his silence, "Hah yes, I'm very sorry about the delay this morning Mrs Evelyn, Mr George,"

"Not to worry dearie, we're in no rush. Besides you have to take care of your own health too, doctor,"

George simply scowled.

"Thank you. Well, then if you'll excuse me for a few minutes," Harvey turned to the make his way upstairs.

As Maru floated over to the front desk she whispered to Harvey "You'll have to fill me in on the details later,"

He smiled and nodded towards Maru. Grasping the azure spiral shell from underneath his shirt.

-End-