Final chapter! Enjoy!
Today was the day. After fifteen years of waiting and unspoken feelings, Harvey and Donna were finally tying the knots. It had taken them six months after Harvey's proposal to prepare for the wedding. They had decided on a church in the suburbs of New York, the one where Donna's parents, and before that her grandparents, had gotten married. Rachel was Donna's made of honor, running everywhere to make sure everything was going perfectly. Everyone was involved in helping for the over-a-decade anticipated wedding; even the firm was giddy all week long. They were like Angelina and Brad of law, with gossips leaking between secretaries: "I heard the ring is a 45-k diamond ring" one would whisper, to find herself supported by another one's nod or disagreed with by another secretary.
As for Harvey and Donna, they were both a bit nervous, but overall very excited. An hour before the wedding started, Marcus, Mike and Louis walked into the room where Harvey was getting dressed, checking up on him. "All good big bro?"Marcus asked, sitting on the couch. "Yes" he answered, fixing his tie. "No last minute panic or anything?" Mike asked. He had to be sure; after all that was Donna and Harvey, and he couldn't handle anything getting in the way. "Please, I don't do panic" he huffed, before his expressions softened:"Don't worry kid". Mike smiled, before heading to the table where a bottle of Scotch was standing. "Still can't believe you're committing" Marcus said, as Harvey chuckled. "Yes, who would've guessed" Harvey answered. "Dad" Marcus mentioned, causing Harvey's attention to shift to his brother, waiting for an explanation. "He always told me you would" he continued, "commit to Donna. He'd be proud of you man" Marcus added, getting up and hugging his brother. It was weird for Mike to witness the family side of Harvey he'd never seen.
"I guess this calls for a toast" Mike said, pouring four glasses of whiskey and handing them. "To Harvey, a smitten man now forever controlled by a woman" Mike teased, Harvey immediately answering: "Pff, Donna's controlled me from minute one, and I will kill you if you ever claim I said that", causing Mike and Marcus to laugh. "To new beginnings, to a life worth the wait" Louis raised his glass, as the sound of the glass clinking reverberated in the room.
"Mom please, stop crying" Donna begged, as tears streamed down her mother's face. "I'm sorry" Mary answered, "you just look so beautiful" she said, choking on her words. Donna looked behind her mom to find a teary Rachel too. "You look amazing Donn" Rachel smiled, fixing the veil for her. "You're ready Donna? No panic attack or anything darling?" her mother asked. "No mom, I'm ready" she said, a genuine smile spreading across her face as she thought of a life with Harvey, her hand caressing the necklace. He hadn't brought a ring, and she didn't want him to. They didn't do clichés, and this was quite unordinary, just like them. "I love you. I'm going to call your Dad" Mary said, kissing her daughter and leaving her with Rachel. "This is it" Rachel said, feeling the excitement in her stomach, her hands holding Donna's. "This is it" Donna repeated, pulling her for a hug. John Paulson walked into the room, looking at his daughter. "My God Donna, you look amazing" he said, kissing his daughter. "Thanks Dad" she said, holding his hand. "Ready to go?" he asked, as she nodded, walking by her father's side, her hand around his arm.
Harvey had heard so many times about euphoric happiness, that experience described in books and movies. He even thought he had felt it, these last months with Donna. But nothing compared to the moment he saw her walking down the aisle at her father's arm, towards him. She looked like an angel in her perfect strapless white dress, showing enough skin to make him crave for more. They locked eyes the second she stepped down the aisle, as he looked at her with much more love than he ever thought possible. Next to him stood Marcus and Mike, with Rachel facing them on the other side. All the attendees in the church hall rose at the sight of the bride, with Jessica and Louis seated in the first row. Louis' eyes fluttered in tears at the sight of his friend looking as beautiful as she did. The minutes before Donna reached Harvey seemed like a lifetime to both of them. John gave Harvey a quick hug, before placing his daughter's hand in Harvey's. An electric current passed as soon as their hands touched, and they both felt like they were the only two in that room.
The priest started the ceremony, as everyone took their seats. "Family and friends. We are gathered here to celebrate the marriage of Harvey Reginald Specter and Donna Roberta Paulson. Now the bride and groom have few words to say to each other. "I'm going to start" Donna said, her heart beating out of her chest, her hands leaving his.
"A few months ago, this guy here introduced me to an amazing poet. Yes, in case you are wondering, Harvey Specter reads poetry" she tried to joke, making the whole assembly laugh, as Harvey shook his head in disbelief at how she managed to turn everything into a memorable moment. "And I would like to share a quote with you today, that I think is representative of what we have" she continued, before inhaling deeply.
"Did you know that I know you? More than you know yourself, and without doubt, more than any single other body has ever known any single other body in the history of this world or any other. I know before you when your heart reaches out and I know without you requiring the assistance of a glance or graze when you are scared or lonely or tired or hungry or angry or worried or blinded by absolute excitement.
Did you know I am yours?
Did you know that I will always be yours?
Did you know that I have waited my entire life to have you be mine?
Did you?"
she said, as Harvey smiled lovingly at her, and tears started to form in all the guests' eyes.
"This quote is very accurate because well I'm Donna and he's Harvey and I know everything. But what most of you don't know is that this quote is true the other way around. Harvey is someone who knows me better than I know myself, who has managed to break down the great wall of Donna and get to the core. I am glad I let you, because I know no one who deserves that place more than you, who treats me and is protective of me the way you do. And for that I am eternally grateful. I can also proudly say that I am the woman who cured Harvey Specter out of the eternal bachelor disease, sorry ladies!" she joked, addressing the lady guests in the room, sending another wave of laughter.
"According to Greek mythology, the first humans were created with four arms, four legs and four eyes, two noses and two mouths. Zeus feared their power and decided to split each human in half, and left them to wander aimlessly around the mortal world, searching for their other half. You are my other half, my better half Harvey, you are my soul mate, and you complete me" she continued, her voice shaking with emotions.
Everyone was almost crying by now, except for Jessica who had managed to maintain glassy eyes.
It was now Harvey's turn as he took a deep breath:
"Donna. You know how everyone says to the person they love that they have stolen their breath away but the truth it you have never had to steal my breath away; somehow you have always managed to convince me to hand it over freely. You see I knew I was in trouble that first time you told me 'I'm Donna, I know', back in the D.A's office" he said, Donna smiling at him. "In the space, the pause between that breath and the one that followed, you have made a home inside me and that home kept on growing and blooming every day for fifteen years" Tears kept streaming down her face, as she listened to the words of the man she was in love with. "Since we're quoting poetry, I'd like to say:
The one glance
that set life alight
is two sets of two eyes
staring through the layers
of lifetimes and stolen glances
and first kisses and hands held;
the brace against the weight
and unrelenting tide
of waiting.
I'm done waiting Donna. I want our live together to start now. I want to wake up next to you, be a better man with you, raise kids with you; I want to see how sunset decorates your hair. I love you Donna" he said, as she managed to answer: "I love you too Harvey", both of them making a tear fall down Jessica's face as she muttered: "Damn you Donna and Harvey", grateful she had worn waterproof mascara.
The priest continued: "Do you Donna Paulson, take Harvey Specter to be your husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part?". Donna clearly answered: "I do", her hands reaching for Harvey's. "Do you Harvey Specter, take Donna Paulson to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part?" he repeated. "I do" Harvey answered loudly.
"Rings please" the priest demanded, as Marcus handed the rings, making Donna gasp at their sight. Her grandparents were known for their mythic love, and everyone around their hometown still talked about the eternal love between Ruth and Parker Paulson. Harvey had asked Donna's parents if they could have their rings, as he promised to love her like no one ever loved. "Oh my God Harvey, how did you-?" she said, unable to continue, as he caressed her hands. They exchanged the rings, their hands shaking in anticipation and love.
"By the power invested in me, I know pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride" the priest continued, as Harvey shouted: "Finally", pulling her passionately into a kiss that made the priest turn red, and the crowd cheer. "Family and friends, I present to you, for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Specter"
His hand held her protectively by his side, as he whispered in her ear: "I can't wait to get you out of this dress", as she patted him playfully, objecting: "Harvey I don't look this splendid for nothing, you've got to share me a bit with the world" making him laugh. They tended to their guests, as food was served in the backyard of the church. Donna was talking to someone when Harvey interrupted. "First dance, sorry" he said, taking her by the head towards the open space. "What are we dancing to?" Donna said, realizing she hadn't picked the song. "I don't know, Marcus asked me to handle it" he said, as he waited for the music, just holding her closely.
The scratch of a record was heard, before the sound of old recording played, and Harvey and Donna's hearts almost stopped as they heard Gordon's voice: "About damn time. Congratulations Harvey and Donna, this song's for you". The smooth saxophone sound played, echoing Ella Fitzgerald's I've got my love to keep me warm. Of course Gordon had prepared a record for them, Harvey thought. Harvey smiled as his father's memory, as Donna rested her head on his shoulder, whispering: "You ok?" as he answered her "Never been better"
Soon people followed, as Mike and Rachel danced to the jazzy selection. Some people wanted to toast the newlyweds, including Donna's dad and Louis. Louis stood next to the table, clicking the glass with a knife. "Excuse me everyone, I just want to say something. The first time I thought Harvey and Donna were together, which was fifteen years ago, and then the time I found out they were together for real, I got my heart broken" he started, making Harvey's eyebrow quirk, and everyone's expression fall. "I mean Donna is an angel, and I always thought she was too perfect to be shared; but when I put my artistic egoism aside, I realized that I couldn't be happier she had chosen to spend her life with my best friend, Harvey Specter. Despite our rocky past, I am really glad she has chosen you because I've seen the way you look at her since day one, and I know that the love you felt for her now never vanished, rather deepened" he said, fixing everything, making Donna and Harvey smile. "So please raise your glasses with me: to the killer couple, the brangelina in law, to Donna and Harvey" he continued, everyone repeating: "To Donna and Harvey". Donna hugged Louis, and Harvey extended his hand to shake Louis', before pulling him for a hug. "You're the man Louis" he stated, making Louis the second happiest man at that wedding.
Jessica talked to the couple, granting them two months of vacation on one condition, that they return as strong as ever. She told Donna about how Harvey had managed to convince her to hire her, of all the things she'd never knew. She even confessed to both of them how she had placed a bet with Hardman on how long it would take for them to be together.
As the sun started to set, Harvey and Donna said goodbye to all the guests, walking towards the limousine, waiting for them with their usual driver, Ray. They looked back and waved at a teary crowd, before they looked into each other's eyes. "Ready to rock the world Paulson?" Harvey asked, grinning at her. "Baby, I was born ready" she answered, leaning in for a kiss.
"What are we waiting for?" he asked, surprisingly pulling her off the ground as she leaped into his arms, and they made their way into the limousine.
The sun set on the limousine, as their voices arguing was heard: "Donna at least four kids!" Harvey nagged, as Donna countered "Four? Hell no, I am not gonna lose my sexiness" she objected, as he kissed her neck and said: "You'll look sexy anyway" trying to convince her
"Nice try Specter…"
Ray drove away as they started building a lifetime of kisses that still felt like first kisses, of shared looks and dirty diapers.
Damn, I can't believe it's done. When I started writing Las Vegas a couple of months ago, I had no idea I would write so much, and a sequel as well. I would like to thank you all so much for your support, continuous reads and reviews. I hope this ending pleased you, and I would love to hear what you thought about it. Special thanks to xxlovely, , caskettastic23, lafantomette, kwisteria (to mention a few) and all guest and people who came out of anon to encourage me.
Don't forget to review.
-G