Once again I didn't proofread lol but ayyyy quick update
They stepped outside into the bright evening sun and Donna tilted her face upwards to catch the warm rays that gently reflected off her skin. It had been a beautiful day and there was no doubt summer was definitely on its way. She looked around admiring the hotel gardens. They were filled with sunshine and the most amazing colour of flowers.
"Mom and Dad should be around here somewhere."
Donna smiled in acknowledgment at Harvey who was standing next to her. His short hair blew slightly in the light balmy breeze and the navy shirt he wore hugged his body perfectly. He'd pulled it on just ten minutes ago after Lily had called their room arranging to meet them in front of the hotel. Apparently they were going to drive to a local restaurant for dinner and Donna felt her stomach grumble in appreciation. She was famished especially after spending the better part of the afternoon in the fresh air strolling around the place.
"Are Lynn and Adam joining us?" she asked.
Harvey shook his head as he attempted to fix his hair. "Lynn was tired. She was going to have a lie down."
"That was great news about the baby, huh?"
He nodded and grinned. "I'm over the moon. Maybe this time I'll get a niece I can spoil."
Harvey turned his head distracted as he heard the sound of gravel crunching behind them. His parents were making their way towards them and he could see his mother smiling tentatively in his direction immediately arousing his suspicions.
"What's up, Mom?"
He watched as she glanced up at his father. Now he knew there was definitely something going on.
"Mom? What is it?" he repeated impatiently.
"Well, your Aunt Jane just called. She wants to join us for dinner."
"So what's the problem?" he asked, his brow crinkling with his confusion. His mother didn't usually look so perturbed at spending time with her sister.
"Harvey, Nick and Andrea will be there too."
Donna glanced over at Harvey and saw him visibly tense as he stood there beside her. His face was expressionless but his earlier smile was gone and it was clear his good humour had certainly disappeared.
"I'll understand if you don't want to come." Lily said, watching her son anxiously.
Harvey paused for a second licking his lips contemplatively before lifting his shoulder in a resigned shrug. "I'm going to see them at some point. I might as well get it over with."
"You're sure?"
"I'm sure." he nodded curtly. He reached into his pocket and threw the car keys to his father. "You guys go on ahead. We'll be there in a second."
His parents threw him a sympathetic look as they walked over to the car. Harvey turned towards Donna and rolled his brown eyes.
"Great!" he sighed. "This is just how I wanted to spend my evening."
As his feet shifted in the gravel anxiously, Donna simply stood beside him unsure what to say or do to try and ease the situation. After all, Harvey had said practically nothing about the situation with Andrea and she certainly hadn't wanted to broach the subject with him. She hadn't wanted to pry into his private life. But this was quite clearly affecting him more than he cared to let on. It had to be because she knew for a fact that Andrea was the sole reason she was here in the first place.
"I'm sorry. I had no idea this was going to happen." Harvey explained apologetically.
Donna shook her head as she reached for him and took his hand in hers. It felt warm and clammy as she squeezed it reassuringly. "It's okay. It's like you said. Seeing her was bound to happen sooner or later."
Harvey nodded and glanced over her shoulder as he sighed softly. "It's just going to be really awkward. I haven't seen Nick or Andrea since I found out about them."
As his warm brown eyes settled on hers once more, Donna saw the hesitancy that lingered there and she squeezed his fingers gently.
"I know it's not going to be easy but you know, you can build a situation up in your mind. You expect the worst but sometimes it doesn't turn out as bad as you think."
As she smiled at him, Harvey guessed Donna was probably wrong about that assumption but he was grateful to her for trying. He was grateful to her for just being here with him in the first place.
"And I know it's not much comfort to you, but I will be there right beside you tonight." she added.
Harvey's mouth lifted in a smile as he affectionately tugged on her fingers. Somehow knowing Donna would be there was comforting. It was even more comforting than she probably realised. He knew there was no way he was ready to face seeing Andrea on his own. At least he didn't think he was.
Harvey felt his stomach begin to knot at the prospect and he swallowed hard biting down on his lip. The thought of seeing her actually made him nervous and he wasn't entirely sure why. In fact, he was scared to even think why.
"We should go. Your parents are waiting."
Donna's voice lifted him from his haze and Harvey nodded still lightly gripping her hand as they walked over to the car. But before they got there, he stopped, tugging on her slender digits to get her attention and cleared his throat. His worried brown eyes scanned her face.
"You will stop me if it looks like I'm making a total idiot of myself tonight."
His face was so serious and Donna bit back her smile.
"I promise."
"Because there's every chance I will you know."
Her eyes were caring and tender as they watched him and without even thinking what she was doing, she reached up and fixed his hair for him. Their eyes connected with one another and she ignored the slight skip in the beat of her heart.
"You'll do fine, Harvey. Trust me."
Donna walked away, releasing his hand. Harvey sighed softly as he slowly followed on behind her, unconvinced. Because as much as he hoped she was right, he knew deep down she probably wouldn't be.
As he climbed in the car, he didn't notice Donna watching him with a concerned expression on her face; concern that didn't abate while they travelled to the restaurant so much so she almost let out a sigh of relief when they pulled into the car park. The atmosphere in the car had been tense to say the least and she was grateful it was over. It was obvious to anyone with a brain that Harvey was totally preoccupied. He had been silent and withdrawn and it didn't need a genius to figure out why.
Throwing open the door, Donna stepped out of the car and breathed in the light, fresh air. The setting sun lit up the sky around them casting it in a warm pink glow. As she walked round to meet Harvey, she saw him watching a couple in front of the small restaurant. She didn't need introductions. Everything inside her told her the couple currently fawning over one another were Nick and Andrea. Harvey's stiff body language only confirmed she was right. She could see his mother's worried glance towards her son.
"We'll see you in there." said Lily, touching Donna's shoulder. She nodded and smiled as Harvey's parents headed towards the restaurant.
"Harvey."
He looked over at her and offered her a weak smile as he took her hand. "I guess we should follow them inside, huh?"
She nodded and smiled as they slowly walked towards the restaurant. Her heels clacked against the tarmac and she felt Harvey grip her hand tightly as they approached the steps. The tall, slim blonde haired girl looked over in their direction. Donna saw the look of confusion etched on her pretty face and it was clear she was expecting Harvey to be alone tonight. Well, she was very much mistaken. She was here and she was going to make sure Andrea knew that fact.
As they got a little closer, Donna saw the look of confusion turned into a smug smile. She felt an instant dislike for the woman watching at the top of the steps. Donna turned her head towards Harvey. He was chewing on his bottom lip as he looked at the ground. Every part of her knew he was nervous about this. Suddenly she felt the urge to wipe that smug grin off Andrea's face.
Before she even knew what she was doing, she stopped and tugged on Harvey's hand, pulling him towards her. His brow furrowed as his brown orbs looked at her inquisitively. Gut instinct had her stepping on her tiptoes and pressing her mouth against his. What she felt was so surprising and unexpected. Her chest had butterflies and her knees were trembling. A wave of pleasure tingled deliciously down her spine. Harvey's lips felt so soft and warm and she could detect the faint trace of mint on his breath. Kissing him, it was almost as if she were floating.
And then suddenly she felt his arm slide around her waist and he began to kiss her back. His lips parted as his mouth moved over hers. Suddenly all thoughts of Andrea and why she was doing this were forgotten as Donna felt herself get lost in his incredible kiss. Her fingers reached up to touch his hair. It felt so soft against her fingertips and she moaned gently into his mouth as he pulled on her bottom lip.
Her mouth was wet and prickled with his kiss as Harvey slowly pulled away. Her eyes were heavy and she swallowed thickly as she lifted her face to look at him. His look of bewilderment mirrored her own and she stood there feeling her heart race in her chest, unsure what to say.
"Harvey, Donna. Are you coming in?"
Lily's voice thankfully interrupted the silence and as Donna glanced towards her, she noticed she was standing at the entrance alone. Andrea was gone making her wonder just how long she had been standing here and kissing Harvey.
"We should probably head inside." he suggested.
Donna nodded and ducking her head shyly she followed Harvey inside. As they walked up the steps to the restaurant, she could still feel herself reeling in the aftermath of his kiss; a kiss that told her that she had every right to be worried earlier because she had already gotten herself into trouble. In fact she was in deep, deep trouble.
