Hello Reader,

This was inspired by a twitter prompt from a friend who wanted a story that explores Donna's piano playing. This is my take!

This is unbeta- I get a wild hair sometimes and try to wing it.

Anyway, enjoy!

M


It was easily one of her favorite places to visit when Donna needed to get away.

When her father uprooted the family to Connecticut (after he lost all their money) Donna's mother made the best of having to leave by taking Donna on weekend excursions, exploring the countryside of Connecticut and the surrounding states.

New England was always a beautiful distraction for her and it reminded her of all the good parts of her childhood. On one particular trip, they stumbled upon a coffee shop just outside a small town. It had all her favorite things:

coffee, books, jazz music from a small record player, a fireplace, and a beautiful view of the town's old courthouse. Funny how things worked out. She would never have guessed just how much that view of the courthouse was a foreshadowing of her life now.

The coffee shop was only an hour from Manhattan and thankfully, Ray was available to take her but he wasn't able to pick her up. It didn't matter; she let Louis know she was taking a personal day. She'd figure out how to get home later. Her stomach twisted in a knot at the thought of Harvey finding out from Louis she wasn't coming in.

Relax, Donna , she told herself. She turned around to wave Ray on and then opened the worn-out wooden red door and a tiny bell alerted the owner to another customer.

Almost automatically, an older woman with gray hair, a distinguished nose, and piercing blue eyes rushed around the barista counter to greet Donna.

"Well, look what the cat dragged in!" She said it warmly, outstretching her arms and inviting Donna into a hug.

Donna smiled, embracing the woman.

"Hi Maggie. It's good to see you. I was just in the neighborhood. I thought I'd stop in."

They hugged for a few seconds, then the woman pulled away, squinting her eyes suspiciously at Donna's reason, clearly not buying the in-the-neighborhood excuse.

"No, really. What do I owe the surprise visit for?"

Donna sighed. "I just needed to get away for the day. Work is stressful and..." she stopped herself, her thoughts on Harvey and their current predicament.

She didn't want to bother Maggie with the silly details of her life, but she had known the woman for half her life. But how could she tell someone what she was going through when she could hardly understand it herself?

"I just need a cup of your famous coffee. And the piano." Her eyes watered at the thought of sitting down by the old piano in the corner and playing a few songs.

Maggie smiled and took Donna by the hand, giving it a soft squeeze. "I just had her tuned last month," she said, motioning to the upright piano against a wall of books from ceiling to floor.

"Go," she nodded at Donna, "and I will make you a cup of coffee and bring it over."

Donna took off her wool, pale pink winter coat and hung it on the coat rack by the door. She glanced outside, and while there wasn't any snow yet, the sky looked like it was about to unleash the white precipitation soon.

She wore a cream fuzzy sweater, the kind that exposed one shoulder and a pair of boot-cut jeans so she could wear her favorite Ralph Lauren riding boots. Although she hadn't been riding for ages, she still loved to wear her boots.

There was a fire in the hearth and it warmed the place nicely as the outside was just the opposite. The piano smelled like sweet mint from the birchwood and it instantly sent Donna back to her childhood.

She took a seat and waited, running her fingers along the smooth wood. It wasn't like the baby grand she had before her dad lost their money. But it held more memories and love than any note a fancy, high-end piano could play. On top of the piano were several books, an old lamp, and some records. She smiled to herself at the sight of the jazz records. Harvey would like this place, she thought.

She quickly remembered the current state of their relationship and suddenly felt sad. She lifted the keyboard cover and tapped on one of the keys lightly; it was beautifully tuned and it warmed her heart.

The soft ivory keys felt like butter under her fingers. And she closed her eyes and inhaled every bit of the moment. She opened her eyes to a soft touch on her shoulder and when she looked up, Maggie had a large white ceramic mug in her hand, steam coming from the warm liquid inside.

"Here you go, love. Full cream and a splash of vanilla," Maggie said with an earnest smile.

"Thanks, Maggie."

Donna blew on the coffee, then brought the mug to her lips and took a sip. It was just as she remembered, and till this day, Maggie's coffee was the best coffee—hands down.

"Are you certain, Maggie, that opening a coffee shop in Manhattan is not in your future plans?" Donna asked between sips.

"Hell no, child. I wouldn't survive a day in the city. Besides, who would keep Burt from cheating at chess?" She said with a chuckle as she pointed to the bearded older gentleman playing chess. Burt rolled his eyes and continued with his strategic mental fortitude.

Donna giggled. "That man hasn't played an honest game since the day I met him."

Burt dismissed them both with a wave of his hand. Donna put her coffee on top of the piano and then swiveled to the side of the bench.

"Any requests, Maggie?" She said as the woman stood, hands on her hips, with a kitchen towel over her shoulder.

"Nope. Anything your heart needs. Because I can tell it needs something. You just play away."

Maggie patted her on the shoulder before she headed back to the coffee bar. Donna took a deep breath, cracked her knuckles, and placed her fingers across the ivory keys.

"Here goes nothing", she mumbled under her breath, then gently pushed down on the keys while her feet found the pedals of the piano.

Her first song was a rusty version of the Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven. It was Maggie's favorite and while she couldn't see Maggie's face, Donna knew she was smiling.

The music filled the small coffee shop and it felt like home and sweet nostalgia. She finished the song and glanced at the large glass windows that faced the courthouse and saw a white dusting of snow form over the sleepy New England town.

Donna smiled and suddenly her problems started to fall by the wayside. She turned back to the piano and picked up a second song but not before her cell phone buzzed in her back jean pocket. She pulled it out and glanced at her screen: three missed calls and four text messages. All from Harvey.

Where are you?

Louis said you took the day off. Are you okay?

Why didn't you tell me?

Why won't you pick up your phone? Call me.

Before she had time to put her phone down, one more message from Harvey came in:

Please.

Her heart softened and she told herself she'd text him back, but not before one more song. She put her phone by the stack of books on the piano and took another sip of her coffee. Then she knew exactly what song to play next: Fantasia in D minor, a score by Mozart about true love.

It was her favorite.


Harvey walked by her office twice already and there was still no sign of Donna. It wasn't like her to not text or call. He left her four text messages with no response. He tried calling three times and every time his calls went straight to voicemail, he was getting irritated, or worse, he was getting worried.

"Louis, have you seen Donna?" He said as he stormed into his (once enemy turned best friend's) office.

"Yeah, Harvey, she asked for the day off. I assumed you knew." Louis said as he busied himself with a stack of paperwork.

"No, Louis, I didn't know."

Harvey slumped his shoulders and his heart sank at the thought of Donna not bothering to tell him that she needed a personal day. He felt slightly nauseous, and for a moment, it felt like panic rising from his stomach—but he took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, grounding himself to the present and not the anxiety welling up inside him.

"She emailed me this morning. She didn't say much; just that she needed a personal day and not to worry."

Harvey stood frozen, staring past Louis and out the office window. He knew things were shitty right now, but even when Donna worked for Louis, she always let Harvey know if she was taking the day off. In fact, he couldn't remember the last time she took off.

Louis looked up from his desk; an undeniable look of worry settled on his face.

"Harvey, what's wrong?"

Harvey shook his head in silent disappointment, then took a seat on the leather sofa. Leaning back, he confessed out loud, "I don't know Louis. Things are off."

Louis, still concerned, stood up from his desk and took a seat next to Harvey on the couch.

"Louis, it's okay. I don't want you to worry."

Harvey knew Louis took their friendship seriously. Honestly, there wasn't anything Louis wouldn't do for Harvey, or, for that matter, Donna.

"Harvey. Something is going on between you two and I'm telling you; you need to fix it."

"I know Louis." He said with a deep exhale.

Harvey was frustrated at his friend for pointing out the obvious. Of course, he needed to fix it. And while he knew, on some level, what the issue was, he wasn't sure if he was ready to go down that rabbit hole. He was scared to lose the one person in his life who mattered the most.

"I don't know how," he finished with a murmur.

Harvey's last-minute confession must have surprised Louis because he took a double take. Honestly, Harvey surprised himself.

Louis stood, puffed his chest, and looked Harvey straight in the eyes. Here it comes, Harvey thought.

"The Harvey Specter I know wouldn't let that stop him. This is Donna we're talking about—more than a decade between you two. Don't let the unknown stand in your way, Harvey. Don't bother with the what-ifs. Life's too short."

His voice trailed to a soft, caring tone, and Harvey stared at his quirky friend. Old Harvey would have scoffed in his face; hell, old Harvey wouldn't have gone to Louis in the first place! But so much has happened over the years and both men have changed.

"You're right, Louis."

"Wait, what did you say?"

"I'm not going to say it again, Louis."

Harvey stood and buttoned his suit jacket. Louis opened his mouth to speak and Harvey shook his head.

Louis huffed in defeat. "Fine. Whatever. Once is enough," he said, flailing his arms in the air at Harvey.

Harvey chuckled and rolled his eyes. "Do you know where she is?"

"No. But you do."

"What do you mean, Louis?" He asked his friend with an air of annoyance in his voice. Harvey was confused and didn't have time for Louis's antics.

Louis sighed loudly, clearly agitated that Harvey didn't know what he was talking about. "Years ago, Donna made it so all our phones shared locations with her and vice versa."

"Wait. So you mean she knows where we are at all times?"

"Yep. And we know where she is." Louis said, using his hands to talk as much as he used his words. He rolled his eyes at Harvey, growing more impatient with him by the minute.

Patience was neither one's strong suit—it was the one thing they had in common.

"Here. Gimme your phone," he said impatiently at Harvey, holding his hand out, open palm.

"Louis?"

"Harvey, give me your goddamn phone!"

Harvey sighed and pursed his lips in response. He hesitated briefly before reaching inside his suit pocket, then reluctantly handed his phone to his clearly exasperated friend. Louis took the phone, pressed some buttons, and showed Harvey the map that placed Donna's initials near a town in Connecticut.

"What the fuck is she doing in Connecticut?" Louis asked Harvey. His face contorted and his nose scrunched up at his ask. Harvey had never known anyone quite as animated as Louis.

"I don't know Louis. But I'm about to find out. Ask Gretchen to cancel my meetings and move them to tomorrow. I'm taking the day."

"Yeah, sure, Harvey. Anything. Now go fix it. And bring Donna back."

"I will."

Harvey took his phone and headed out of Louis's office, but not before turning around.

"Thanks," he said flatly.

Harvey didn't need to stick around to know that Louis had a big goofy grin plastered across his face at Harvey's verbal affirmation.