HI! Hello to my new follower(s). I am so happy you are enjoying this! This is a short update. I was going to make this longer but decided the next bit afforded its own chapter. Please R & R. Love to hear from you - Carebearmaxi
Donna Meets Lily -
Chapter 27 -
Hello, Farewell, and a Proposal
They sat next to each other on Donna's couch with the early evening twilight pouring through Donna's vertical blinds on her small terrace. The warm air was blowing in as they sat there sipping their Scotch. They talked swiftly exchanging happenings since they parted. Now they just sat in silence staring into one another's eyes knowing that they had not combed the surface of the wall standing between them.
"Shit!" Donna said suddenly.
"What 'shit!'? Harvey asked wondering if he had suddenly said something that had offended Donna.
"I'm supposed to attend my understudy's performance as Catherine in Taming of the Shrew. It's her opening night."
"Well, you can still go. I'll check into my hotel and meet you when it's over."
"I'd rather you go with me. Your mother and Bobby said they would be there, too. They have grown rather fond of Rebecca, it seems," Donna said pleading with her eyes.
"I thought my Shakespeare days were over when you closed a couple of years ago when you were in New York," Harvey said sarcastically. "No. Really we can go."
"Good. Let me just put on something appropriate. I'll be a second. It's not far."
"More like half hour. I know you," Harvey said looking at his watch which showed 6:45 pm.
"When does it start?" Harvey called from the living room as he stood behind the closed door of, presumably, Donna's bedroom. He would have liked to do nothing more than open the door and take her onto the bed and make love but he felt that his actions would be rebuffed at this point. Rather he would be a little patient for a more affectionate amorous reunion a little later, hopefully.
"Curtain is at eight sharp," Donna said somewhat a little sadly knowing how many nights in the last couple of months, she would be standing in the wings, on pins and needles, waiting for her first scene. Donna smiled and was glad that now her friend would be in that position after waiting so long.
Donna exited from the bedroom to see Harvey still sitting on the couch but this time in a position of anticipation.
"I feel rather underdressed," Harvey said smiling as he admired her.
"Oh, this old thing. I only wear it when I need to take it off quickly," Donna said slyly giving Harvey a most mouth watering "come hither" look. Harvey had to smile and felt a tad uncomfortable.
Harvey cleared his throat.
"Something wrong?" Donna said smiling knowing full well and enjoying the affect she was having on him. Her light blue dress was a halter style as her top had been. This dress, however, had the covering panels come right down to a pleated swinging skirt. Donna wore no pantyhose and her thong which she had donned for Harvey's pleasure was very small and covered only those areas needing covering when venturing out in public.
"Let's go," Harvey said and escorted Donna from the apartment.
Fernando met them at the door of the theatre. He had said he would like to watch Rebecca's performance with her as it would be her last night in Los Angeles. Donna had promised to keep in touch with him, but Fernando was not a man who did not count on empty promises which is what he felt it was with Donna. When she returned to New York, she would be married to the man of her dreams and, essentially, starting her life over .
"Fernando!" Donna called and waved when she saw him at the beginning of the outside theater rows.
"Donna!" Fernando said and kissed Donna on the cheek.
"So this is Harvey," Fernando said without an introduction from Donna. Fernando was a bit surprised because he thought Donna was going home not Harvey coming to her.
"Yes, Harvey Specter. You're...?" Harvey said holding out his hand to shake Fernando's hand.
"Fernando Estrada," the good-looking dark latino man said taking Harvey's hand and shaking it.
"Harvey surprised me a little earlier today by coming to me. That's why he's here," Donna explained.
"Well, I guess it's your parents who are here. They saved a couple of seats for Donna and me, but it is pretty informal here and you are escorting our "diva" so I'm sure they can find a seat near her for you," Fernando said.
Donna took Harvey's arm and with Fernando walking in ahead of them they found their seats.
Upon seeing her son, Lily stood up and hugged him. Harvey bent to shake Bobby's hand.
"I'm so glad to see you, honey. I am also glad you two didn't miss each other," Lily said. Harvey took a seat between Lily and Donna. Fernando sat on the other side of Donna on the end of the aisle. They sat about four rows from the stage. One tear tickled from Donna's eye as she remembered her part thoroughly. Her self-shortenening end to her acting career here was still fresh in her mind since it had only been a couple of days.
"I'm glad we didn't either. Donna told me she is planning to come home tomorrow," Harvey said hugging his mom.
As the performance started, Harvey reached out and took Donna's hand in his.
Donna looked at him and squeezed his hand tightly. She then put her head on his shoulder.
At intermission between the first and second acts, Donna took Harvey to meet the crew and the new star of the show.
"So this is your man," Rebecca said shaking Harvey's hand. "No wonder you missed him. He is so handsome."
"Please, you know I only love him for his personality," Donna quipped teasingly.
"Hey, she thinks I'm handsome," Harvey said giving a sidelong look at Donna to see if the remark made her jealous. Donna just rolled her eyes, but she and Harvey both thought the other the best looking.
"You will have some great looking kids," Rebecca whispered to Donna.
Donna smiled and said," I saw Harry out there. He's so proud. He can't help himself. That's so sweet, and I am happy for you."
Rebecca said, "Do you want to stay back here with me and watch from the wings?"
Donna was tempted and said she would rather be sitting in the audience because it was a better view.
Rebecca then shooed her and Harvey out of her dressing room while she dressed for the second act. Turning around out of the dressing room, Donna turned right into Charles.
"Well, if it isn't the red headed "diva". Missing us already, luv?" Charles said ignoring Harvey's presence altogether.
Donna shook her head and looking down at the smaller man said without regret, "No not really. Rebecca is amazing. It's a wonder anyone succeeds with you hitting on them all the time. Good luck, Charles."
Donna flipped her hair and bounced away knowing how enticing she looked to her former director. Harvey just smirked and shook his head back and forth knowing how his woman could just emasculate a man with one word. He then followed Donna out of the room.
After the final curtain call, Fernando filed out from his seat and invited them all to a late dinner.
"Ok, Fernando, I already cancelled my flight but now I have to call the shipping company and bargain with my landlord for another month in the morning."
Harvey may have winced at the news that Donna was keeping her apartment for another month, but he was out of earshot speaking with Harry, Rebecca's husband.
"I just wanted to give you this," Fernando pulled a CD from his jacket pocket.
"What's that?" Donna asked pointing to the CD.
"It's a recording of your last performance last week. I heisted it from Paul the technical director. He was going to upload this on YouTube, but I convinced him by payment to make me a copy as a gift for you. I just thought since you may not pass this way again that you would like to show your children."
Donna was touched that Fernando had remembered part of their conversation on her way into LA. She wiped a tear away from her eye and accepted his gift.
"Thank you so much, Fernando. This means the world to me. How can I ever thank you?" Donna asked.
"Be happy. Marry that man of yours, have as many children as possible, and be happy."
Donna just nodded and gave Fernando another hug.
Lily and Bobby who were leaving very early the next morning back to New York also joined them for dinner. It was a pleasant evening until Fernando had received a call from his service about one of his clients in a crisis. Fernando said his farewells and then left the restaurant speaking on his cell phone.
As it turned out, everyone was so pleased with the show and happy in each other's company.
Finally declaring that they were both pretty tired after the crazy two weeks they had spent there, Lily and Bobby left the restaurant leaving Harvey and Donna alone.
Harvey took a last swig of his Scotch and called for the check.
Turning back to his sweetheart, he asked, "So when am I going to see your last performance?"
"You don't have to. I know it almost killed you to sit through another play tonight. I hate to put you through it all again," Donna said.
"I sat through it because you asked me and it involved someone whom you cared about playing the lead. The next time I view it on that disc you'll be the lead and I will be captivated. Besides, I was just trying to be supportive."
"Mmhmm," Donna said. Then seriously turning to look at him continued.
"You really don't need to see this if you don't want to. I'm mean I am awesome, but you hardly understand Shakespeare so you probably would not enjoy it."
"Let me be the judge of that," Harvey said as he scooted over to her in the booth and kissed her and quietly took the disc out of her hand before she could place it in her purse again.
"How are you going to view it?" Donna asked.
"With you, in my hotel room," Harvey said nuzzling his head between Donna's neck and shoulder. He inhaled her vanilla scent and kissed her behind her ear which gratified Harvey because he could feel her tremble and shiver at his touch.
"I brought my computer with me," Harvey whispered taking advantage of the dim lighting in the back of the restaurant. He kissed her again and Donna leaned into his touch. She closed her eyes and wanted nothing more than to leave the restaurant and fall into bed. He always had that affect on her.
"Harvey. You know we need to talk," Donna said stopping Harvey in his ministrations.
Harvey moved away and taking a deep breathy sigh said, "Yes, we do. However, you are coming to my hotel room to do it."
"Somehow I don't think we'll get much talking done if I go there," Donna reasoned.
Suddenly Harvey removed his hands from Donna and looked at her with big dark liquid eyes, "No, Donna, I know we need to talk. I am serious. I did not just come here to get you back. I came here to bring you back to New York as my wife."
With that Harvey found the small velvet box he had been carrying since boarding the plane in NY and opening it asked Donna again, "Look, this proposal is not coming from a man who just had mindblowing sex with his girlfriend. It's coming from a man who has loved you for so long and is sorry for taking you for granted and not supporting you or understanding that you needed something on your own. I'm not perfect, but I know you know that. You are amazing which I know you are too well aware of," Harvey said with a little smile.
Then he moved the table a small distance away from them, so he could get down on bended knee. Harvey thought when he was rehearsing this part in his mind that he would be embarrassed; however, in the process of really doing it he was not embarrassed at all.
"Donna Roberta Paulsen, would you please marry me?" Harvey asked holding out the box with the ring in it.
"Harvey," Donna whispered. She was somewhat flabbergasted. He really does love me. How can I say no?
"Yes, Harvey, I will," Donna agreed and holding out her hand Harvey placed the ring on her finger again and reaching up kissed her deeply.
"Harvey, you do realize that you now really have to listen to what I am going to tell you and not send me away." Donna said. "I couldn't take it again if you did it for a second time."
"I will listen to you until I'm blue in the face. I don't want to be without you again."
"Then let's go to your place," Donna said closing her eyes as she kissed him.