16. Epilogue

Donna reaches out to stop the lift closing, her fingers curling around the door, and a sheepish smile parts her lips as she greets the unfamiliar face with broad shoulders and dark hair standing inside. "Sorry," she apologies, glancing at the lit up button indicating he's going to the same floor she is.

"It's not a problem," he answers warmly. "I like to travel with company."

She raises an eyebrow, his tone and relaxed smile tugging a sense of familiarity. Though she rarely forgets a face, she scrutinizes him curiously. "Have we met?"

He shakes his head, certain he'd remember bumping into the red-headed beauty if they had crossed paths before. "Thomas Kessler." He extends his arm, clasping her hand in his grasp.

"Donna Paulsen." She admires his firm but not overbearing shake, raking her eyes up and down his suit as she lets her fingers drop, realizing where she's heard his name before. "You're here to see Louis."

"I am." He hides his puzzlement with a quirk of his lips. "Either you're a very perceptive client, or—"

"Former employee." There's no resentment beneath the fact, not anymore. When she left the firm, her heart had been in pieces, and she picked herself backup hoping to start over. Now she has, in a way she never expected. After Collin's conviction, she found a home back at S&P with a recovered Zoey by her side. She's flourishing in her role, people who have shown their respect and support rallying around to welcome her into the company. But she's been humble about the praise, deflecting it to Zoey, who stood up to her attacker during trial. She couldn't be more proud of her young assistant, which is why she put in a request for a few days leave, knowing the woman would thrive keeping on top of everything. All she has to do is get Harvey out of his office before the next crisis hits, and she gives the stranger beside her a reassuring smile. "Louis is an excellent lawyer. You're in very capable hands."

He tilts his head in acknowledgment, debating whether to say more or journey the last couple of floors in silence, but there's something about her that makes him feel particularly bold, like if he doesn't throw caution to the wind he'll be missing out. "Would it be too forward to ask who's hands you're in?"

She raises an eyebrow, surprised by his charm, but when the doors part, revealing Harvey standing in the foyer waiting, her smile grows from amused to beaming. "That would be this handsome man right here." She steps out, brushing her nails down the length of Harvey's jacket and introducing the two men. "Harvey, this is Thomas—"

"Kessler," he answers, his gaze settling on the CEO. "We've met. Good to see you again."

He extends his arm and Thomas politely accepts the gesture, trying not to feel disappointed. "You too." Louis had always spoken highly of Harvey, and he isn't surprised the pair are dating, but the exchange feels slightly awkward, and he quickly excuses himself. "Donna, it was nice meeting you."

"You too." She doesn't give his departure any more thought, until she catches Harvey's gaze watching the man stride off, and she tugs his hand with a smirk. "You okay?"

"Yeah." He clears his throat, shrugging off a weird sense of déjà vu as he realigns his focus, palming the small of her back and grinning. "You're early."

"You're ready," she counters, surprised he was on his way down, but glad she doesn't have to coerce him into leaving on time.

"I wanted to get on the road." He shrugs, sounding casual, when really he's been counting down the minutes since they left his condo this morning. Lily was equally as over the moon to be meeting Donna, his mother's reaction when he informed her Donna was 'the one' gleaming with happiness, but her tone wasn't at all surprised. Apparently Lily knew all about the woman who had captured his heart from Marcus, and even though he wishes he'd seen the truth sooner, he's just grateful he's getting to make up for lost time with both women. "I thought we could take the scenic route."

"It's a three-hour drive," she teases, resting her palms over his shoulders. "How much more scenery do you need?"

"You might be right about that." He smirks, not caring that they're garnering some unusual looks from people returning from lunch. His reputation around the place doesn't exactly portray affectionate, but he's not bothered by what anyone thinks. Donna is, and always has been, the exception to all of his rules, and for the next four days, he plans on showing her just how much she's all the 'scenery' he intends on paying attention to.

His eyes rake down her dress with a hungry gaze, and she pushes him back with a gentle nudge, amusement flashing in her gaze. "You're an idiot."

He chuckles as she winds her hands into his, pressing the button at the lifts to start the beginning of their adventure. Not just an afternoon drive or an extended weekend visiting his mother, but a lifetime of moments to come.

They might not work together in the same building anymore, but they've created a new dynamic in their relationship, and he doesn't know what the future may hold, but he knows whatever happens, all he cares about is that Donna's there to share it with him.

The rest, they'll figure out as they go along.

AN: I know this has been a long time coming and given how short it is, I probably should have sat down and finished the draft months ago :P Thank you to Southsidesister (darvey_love) who did an amazing job helping me with this story, and to everyone who left reviews and reached out with comments. You guys are the best :D xxxx