"Come on Donna, can we look yet?", whined Rachel as she and the other bridesmaids stood anxiously waiting to see the redhead all dolled up. Samantha, Katrina, and Donna's older sister Laurel shared Rachel's impatience as they fiddled with their ash-blue silk dresses.
Donna gave herself a once over in the full-length mirror, smoothing the fabric of her gown admiringly, as she took a calming deep breath. If you had asked her two years ago if she ever thought she'd see herself in a wedding dress, she would have said no. Hell, if you had told her she would be preparing to marry Harvey Specter again, she would have laughed in your face. She truly was living a dream.
"Okay, I think I'm ready", she said in a tone mixed with excitement and nervousness as she turned around to face her wedding party. The woman's eyes shot open, and their jaws dropped in near-perfect unison as they took in her beauty.
Donna had chosen a Peter Langner ballgown entitled Daisy. The dress featured a strapless ruched satin bodice, that perfectly accentuated her bust and hugged her waist, atop a full tulle skirt with delicate floral embroidery. Her fiery hair was tucked behind one ear and fixed with meticulous Hollywood waves that softly bounced as she moved. Harvey's locket hung around her neck and matching diamond and sapphire earrings decorated her lobes. Although they couldn't be seen under her dress, she wore a comfortable pair of Gianvito Rossi Bridal Liliane lace pumps that elongated her figure.
The women gushed over Donna with compliments galore, to which she returned everyone before the sound of knuckles rapping at the door redirected their attention. "Who is it?", bellowed Rachel. "Just the father of the bride", came Jim Paulsen's voice. "Donna, your mother is running around like a chicken with her head cut off worried that she won't get to see you before we walk down the aisle". "Oh no, I am not!", defended her mother.
Donna snickered as she heard the thud of what must have been her mother, Clara, swatting her father's shoulder and his soft ouch that followed. "I was simply reminding your father that the ceremony is set to start in 15 minutes, and I happened to mention I will need 5 of those to touch up my makeup".
When the older women finished speaking, and just before she brought her knuckles up to knock again, Rachel opened the door just far enough for the other bridesmaids and herself to slip out. "Don't worry Clara, she's ready and I am sure you will have a chance to touch up any makeup that runs after you see her", she winked before hugging the mother of the bride. She then kissed Jim on the cheek before leading the bridesmaids upstairs to prepare for the procession.
"Donna?", Jim called out seeking permission to enter as he turned the door handle. "Come in!", she called back to her parents as she looked herself over in the mirror a final time and turned to face the door. She smiled ear to ear as both of her parent's faces came into view. Clara gasped softly and brought her hand up over her mouth and Jim's eyes grew glassy with emotion. "What do you think?", Donna asked even though she could read their approval.
"You look absolutely stunning, dear!", her mother replied as she moved forward to hug her youngest daughter. Donna received her mother with open arms but continued to hold her father's gaze over Clara's shoulder. When the women disengaged from their hug, Jim stayed silent in place, so Donna decided to softly address her father directly. "You okay, daddy?", she asked as she stepped forward to take his hand.
"I know you have been grown up for quite some time, hell you're technically already married, but I just realized I am about to give my baby girl away", he replied in a raspy tone that conveyed the heavy emotion behind his words. Donna felt her breath hitch at his sentiment, and she stepped into her father's arms for a tight hug. "I'll always be your little girl dad, and you don't have to worry about me", she whispered in his ear. "I know sweetheart. I might have had misgivings about Harvey in the beginning, but I can see how happy you make one another and that is all a father can ask for". She hugged Jim just a little tighter before she heard her mother sniffle behind them and all three chuckled at how sappy the moment had become.
10 minutes later, Donna stood with her arm hooked under her father's elbow as she waited for the processional music to start. Instead of Pachelbel's Canon, she had flown in the same quartet Harvey had used for his second proposal to accompany Kina Grannis as she sang her arrangement of "Can't Help Falling In Love" live.
As the sweet sound of the strings began to fill the air, the double doors opened and her bridesmaids began to make their way down the aisle, each accompanied by one of Harvey's groomsmen. First was Samantha and Alex, followed by Katrina and Louis, Laurel and Marcus, and lastly, Rachel and Mike holding baby Jameson as the ring bearer. It wasn't until little Lucy waddled down the aisle throwing petals and the double doors closed in preparation for Donna's grand entrance that she felt nervous. After all, she and Harvey were already married, but something about doing it again in front of the people who played influential roles in their love story made it feel more meaningful.
Donna held her breath as the dramatic slowing of the music cued the doors to be reopened and she stepped out onto the rooftop. With her first few steps, she admired the gorgeous pink and blue floral arrangements that lined the white aisles while she softly smiled at her friends and family. Her gaze then shifted to take in the picturesque view of the New York skyline, obscured only by the grand flower arch, perfectly complimenting the other pieces, behind the altar. Finally, halfway down the aisle, her hazel eyes met Harvey's glistening chocolate orbs.
The adoration and gratitude she felt for the man she was walking towards nearly overwhelmed her, not to mention how hot he looked in his navy Ralph Lauren suit and brown Ferragamo dress shoes. As she grew nearer, she admired the endearing lines that crinkled around his eyes as his signature smile spread across his face. Her heart soared further as he didn't even bother to brush away the tear of joy that rolled down his cheek, but rather tilted his chin up slightly as if to proudly display the droplet as a testament to his love for her. Her nerves melted away as she smiled widely back at him, and she knew that his mere presence would be all she ever needed to feel safe.
When she reached the altar, her father kissed her gently on the cheek and ceremoniously gave her hand to Harvey before taking his seat next to Clara in the front row. "Hey beautiful", Harvey whispered as Donna took the final step to stand directly in front of him. "Hey yourself handsome", she replied cheekily as she gave his hand a slight squeeze. They continued to hold each other's gaze, occasionally directing their attention to Robert whom they had asked to officiate the wedding. It wasn't until Robert announced that they had written their own vows and prompted Harvey to begin that the pair were pulled out of their bubble.
"Donna, a year ago today I told you that I have always been and will always be a gambler, but the truth is you were always the one exception. For nearly 13 years I hid my true feelings because I couldn't find the words to perfectly articulate all that you mean to me. It wasn't until I thought I had lost you that I found the courage to take a risk on us. Now, a year into our marriage, I can confirm it has been the most rewarding bet of my life. I only wish I could go back in time and tell that cocky DA what was in store for him if he would just let down his walls", Harvey paused and took a deep breath.
Donna noticed through glassy eyes that a tinge of regret crossed his face, so she quickly squeezed his hands and smiled to reassure him that everything had turned out exactly the way it was supposed. In the beginning, she too had wondered what it would be like if they could have been this since the other time. Each day that they spent growing more in love with each other, however, made her realize that every moment they had spent together had led them to today. She would gladly relive every moment of heartache they had both endured to be where they are now.
The way Donna looked at him with such adoration washed away the guilt he felt for the time they had lost, and willed Harvey to continue. "Thank you for seeing past my imperfections, for being my confidant, compass, best friend, and partner. I am all in Donna, and I promise to protect, support, and love you to the best of my ability for as long as you will let me".
By the time Harvey finished, the glassiness previously present in Donna's eyes had turned into full-blown tears that threatened to escape. To avoid them spilling and causing her mascara to run, she tilted her chin toward the late morning sky and waved her hands in front of her face. Harvey brought his hand up and gingerly caressed her cheek to direct her gaze back towards his. When their eyes met, he leaned forward slightly and whispered, "Maybe I am a little better with my words than I tend to give myself credit for". She giggled softly as his lips curled upward in a goofy grin before he placed a soft kiss on her forehead.
"Did you hear me say kiss the bride, Specter?", Robert questioned with a tone of sarcastic irritation. Harvey shrugged. "When have you known me to follow the rules?". Peppered laughter erupted from their friends and family at his smug response. "Well, if you will stop being a wise ass long enough for Donna to say her vows, I will grant you official permission to kiss your bride", Robert replied once silence had been restored. Harvey brought a hand up to his lips and swiped his fingers across as a silent promise to keep them zipped until otherwise instructed.
When he returned his hand to Donna's grasp, she began her vows. "Harvey, our relationship has shifted so many times over the almost 15 years since we met, but there are two things that have never changed. First, there was never a time when you could have lost me. Since the moment you asked me to follow you to the firm, I knew that sharing my life with you in any capacity was better than not having you in my life at all. Second, no matter how much we fight or how crazy you make me, merely being in your presence makes me happy beyond measure. As your wife, I wake up each morning with a smile on my face and as I drift to sleep each night, I find sanctuary in your arms. Thank you for being my safe place, always finding a way to make me laugh at the end of a hard day, and loving me unconditionally. I promise to love you over all else for the rest of my life and then some".
By the time she finished, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. Unable to resist the urge she had felt since she walked down the aisle, Donna reached out and gently brushed away the few tears that Harvey had let fall toward the end of her vows. He would have reciprocated her gesture but knew better as Rachel handed her a tissue to blot her tears away without disturbing her makeup. Once she returned it to Rachel, they turned their gazes expectantly toward Robert for permission to do the one thing they had been waiting for since the ceremony started.
"Harvey, do you take Donna to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold-". "Yes", Harvey cut off the older man with his emphatic response and slid the wedding band on Donna's finger. "Well then", Robert narrowed his eyes in jest before turning to look at the redhead, "Donna, do you take Harvey-". He got even less of his line out before another unwavering "yes" pierced the air and she guided his ring into place. Robert chuckled and shook his head lightly at the almost antsy looks he was receiving from the bride and groom. "With the power vested in me by the state of New York, I repronounce you man and wife. Harvey, now you may kiss your bride".
Harvey wasted no time and as Robert uttered his last word, Harvey pulled Donna tightly against him. One hand gripped her waist while his other supported her head as he dipped her into a passionate kiss. Donna responded appreciatively by brushing her tongue against his lips as her hands moved from his jaw to around his neck. Unlike their first wedding where they had been hesitant due to the guests in attendance, this time they allowed themselves to get lost in one another. That was until they heard Louis mutter, "I'm going to need a day".
Reluctantly, Harvey returned Donna to a standing position before breaking their kiss. With their foreheads still resting against one another, they laughed lightly. "Too much?", Harvey asked a little nervous that Donna would be embarrassed by their heated display of affection. To his relief, her lips curled into a sultry smile before taking hold of his lapels and bringing him impossibly closer to allow their lips to dance once more. A few whistles and claps came from their guests before they were forced to pull apart again, this time by their exit music. Hand in hand, they smiled brightly as they made their way back down the aisle.