After their evenings, the two young people had returned to Gordon's, kissing each other again tenderly before Harvey found himself on the couch to spend the night and Donna was back in the bedroom upstairs. The rest of the winter break was quite special, they were not yet together, the redhead waiting for him to be ready while he was adorable with her as soon as Marcus had his back turned. They had not slept together yet, the future lawyer not wanting Donna to think that he had revealed his feelings just for that, preferring rather small, tender gestures such as caressing her knee under the table, kisses on her neck or her bare shoulder when the younger brother left the room, or some quality time when Marcus had things planned with friends and Donna and Harvey decided to spend the day together, like that random Thursday. While Marcus had planned a whole day outside the city with some old high school friends, the two lovers took advantage of finding the excuse to go shopping to Danbury Fair to buy the last gifts, and after Gordon winked at them and both of them blushed, they got into the car and chatted for the entire drive while Harvey had one hand on the steering wheel, the other on the redhead's thigh.
«You already know what you're looking for?»
«I just need a present for Gordon and my father. What about you?»
«I just found my present for you»
«What?»
«What what?»smiled Harvey.
«Christmas is in three days, and you don't have any presents?»
«I have yours»
«Harv»
«I know, it's just that I didn't have the head to think about the Christmas present, but you will help me, right?»
«Of course, yeah»
As soon as they arrived in the mall, the two lovers were walking next to each other, having unconsciously intertwined their fingers together — holding hands in public being a first — while they searched for the gifts they were missing. As Donna had just found a Ralph Lauren sweat for her father and a collector's vinyl of Django Reinhardt for Gordon, the two of them found themselves sitting at Starbucks drinking coffee and sharing a slice of brownie, while Harvey didn't want to let go of Donna's hand.
«Harv?»
«Yeah?»
«What did you get me for Christmas?»
«Well, you'll see it in three days»
«Seriously?»
«Yeah»
«Shame»snorted Donna.
«I know»chuckled Harvey.
As she looked at him with a small smile, she melted when she saw him bring her hand closer to his face and place tender kisses on her palm while continuing to speak.
«I know what I'm going to take for my father»
«Really?»
«Yeah, an iPhone»
«An iPhone?»
«Yeah, have you seen his phone? At least then I could FaceTime him when I'm in New York»
«How are you feeling about it?»
«I try not to think about it, it freaks me out enough»
«I understand»
«By the way, um, I was thinking about buying a Christmas present for my mother»
«Really?»smiled Donna.
«Yeah, but I have no idea what»
«I'll help you»
«Thanks»
After a last smile, they finished to eat, Harvey still playing with Donna's fingers as they continued their shopping, the future lawyer buying a phone for his father before the redhead took him to an art store where she pointed out a gift idea.
«Paint? That's a shitty idea. I'm going to buy my mother some paint pots»
«Why not? You told me she liked to paint and that she painted all the time when you were little. Do you remember that weird painting with the crocodile and the little girl?»
«Do you remember that?»
«Of course — you know what? Let's ask a salesman»
Ten minutes later, they left the store with a set of acrylic paints that apparently came from Japan of very good quality that would please any painting enthusiast, while Harvey sighed.
«What?»giggled the redhead.
«I have no idea what I could get for that idiot, Marcus. What did you get him?»
«A set of baking utensils since he loves doing that»
«The idea is incredible, why didn't I think of it?»
«Come on, we'll find some other things. He told me about a famous chef who had published a book. You could get that for him»
«You think?»
«Yeah, come on»
«By the way, you have my present?»
«Of course»smiled Donna.
«And what is it?»
«I won't tell you — payback»
«Great»snorted Harvey.
«Come on, we'll get Marcus' present, then we can go home»
Once all the presents were found, they returned to Hartford, where they wrapped all the presents to put them under the tree, as Harvey dropped Donna off at her parents' house for her to spend the evening with them. Christmas was quickly coming around, and if everyone spent it with their family, Gordon was touched that the redhead thought of him while Marcus and Donna exchanged their gifts before she left for her parents, ready to celebrate with them. In the evening, when the three Specters had just finished eating the Yule log, Gordon turned to Harvey to smile at him.
«Maybe you could go pick Donna up at her house? It's late, and I don't think there are any buses yet. It will save Jim or Laurel from crossing the city»
«I can go»smiled Marcus.
«Did Santa give you a car in the meantime?»
«No, but I was thinking of using yours»
«Over my dead body, brother»snorted Harvey.
«Come on, Marcus, ask Donna if she needs a ride from Harvey»
«Alright»
While father and son exchanged a knowing look, the younger brother complied before announcing that Donna was alright with Harvey coming. Immediately, Gordon asked Marcus for help cleaning the kitchen, and while the younger brother grumbled, Harvey took the opportunity to slip away and went to get the redhead at her place. Once there, he chatted with her parents while she felt the butterflies in her stomach fluttering as she saw Harvey and Jim getting along well, enjoying the moment before her father found out that they slept together for almost six months in secret. Anyway, in the car, they shared a piece of cake that Laurel had given with them while chatting, returning to the Specters' house when it was almost one in the morning.
«Dudes, where were you?»asked Marcus.
«What? We talked a little with Donna's parents, and we didn't see the time pass»
«Right. Anyway, I'm so fucking tired, I'll go to bed»yawned the younger brother.
«Yeah, me too. Goodnight, kids»said Gordon.
«Good night, dad»
«See you tomorrow, Gordon»
Once alone, Harvey stayed downstairs while Donna went upstairs to change into her pajamas after her shower, then, the future lawyer went upstairs in turn before knocking softly on the door and whispering as soon as he saw her sitting on the bed.
«Do you mind if I take a quick shower?»
«No, no, go ahead.»
It was weird, a few months ago, they took their showers together, fucking against the cold tiles from time to time, while now, they were embarrassed around each other. About ten minutes later, Harvey came out of the bathroom wearing only his boxers and whispered.
«Hey, can I give you your present?»
«Of course, I have yours too»
After Harvey locked the door to prevent Marcus from barging in, he opened the doors of his closet to take a small bag that he had hidden at the back to finally sit on the bed with Donna, hiding the gift behind him so she wouldn't recognize the brand.
«Can I start?»asked the redhead.
«Of course»
«Here»
As he opened the white box, he felt his throat tighten when he saw what was inside, hearing the young woman speak.
«That way you'll be stylish in New York, and you'll think of me too»
Inside was a simple white shirt from Tom Ford with his initials embroidered on the sleeve, «H.S.», giving it a serious look. Seeing him silent, she smiled before grabbing his hand and caressing it gently.
«You're going to be an incredible lawyer, Harvey»
«I'll think of you all the time, you know, not just when I see the shirt»
«I hope»
«I promise you»
Feeling that the moment was becoming emotional, Donna wiped away the tear that had escaped as she whispered.
«What about my gift?»
«Oh, yeah, sure. Here»
As he held out a red bag, Donna grabbed it with a shaky hand before gasping at the word Cartier written in gold on it.
«Are you crazy?»
«Maybe»
«Harvey, Cartier. This is —»
«Open it first»
In the red back was a white package, then a red box with inside a beautiful white gold necklace with two thin, typical Cartier rings intertwined. With a shaking hand, she stroked the necklace as Harvey began to speak in a low voice.
«The woman told me that this collection from Cartier had a meaning, that the designer was inspired by the idea of eternal love, it's like a symbol of eternal commitment and devotion. So I know we're not really together yet, but I wanted you to have it so you know how much I care about you and that, you know— »
«Yeah, I do»
She knew what he meant, how much he cared for her, and how much he loved her, but she also knew he was scared to say those words, so she didn't push him to say it, she knew he meant it, and that was enough. As she continued to stare at the necklace, sliding her finger over the cold metal of the jewel and placing her other hand on his face to gently caress his cheekbone with her thumb, she felt his lips gently kissing her palm before he whispered.
«You like it?»
«I love it, but Harvey is way too much. I mean, Cartier —»
«Well, I got a second job at a bar near my residence after the summer break, but it was worth it. I figured you deserved at least that, and when I'll be a successful lawyer in New York, I'll buy you all the rest, I swear»
«Harvey —»
«I mean it, Donna»
«Thank you»
As she whispered those last two words, she slowly approached to kiss him tenderly and then hug him, both of them still sitting in their pajamas on the bed until she separated and whispered.
« Are you putting it on me? »
«Of course»
As he pulled it out of the box, they both moved so that he was behind her, Donna lifting her hair to lock it as she then turned so that he could observe the result. Seeing him staring at her cleavage, the fine necklace shining on her pale skin, biting his lip softly with a small smile, he leaned down to place his mouth on the necklace, brushing her skin as he looked up to observe at her.
«It suits you well»
«You have good taste»
« I know, I mean, I chose you. Have you seen yourself? Unbelievable »
As they both laughed at Harvey's childish attitude, Donna gently caressed his cheek before whispering.
«Do you want to sleep here?»
«Donna, I don't think it's— »
«Just to sleep»
«You don't mind?»
«Of course, not»
«Alright»
«Just set your alarm before Marcus is waking up so he doesn't see you leaving heretomorrow morning »
«Alright»
As Donna settled under the covers, Harvey lay down behind her before setting his alarm and lying down in turn, holding her as he felt her chuckling against him.
«What?»
«Cartier, Harv»
«I know»
«You're insane»
«Maybe, but I know you love that»
«I do, yeah»
«Goodnight, Donna»
«Goodnight, Harv»
After a last kiss on the back of her neck, the two of them fell asleep against each other until the next day, when Harvey snuck out of the room to continue his night on the couch downstairs. Soon enough, winter break was over and both of them had to go back to their universities, and after greeting their parents, Harvey took charge of dropping Donna off at Yale. While they chatted about everything and nothing throughout the ride, as Harvey pulled the car into the parking lot, he sighed before resting his head on the steering wheel. Immediately, she leaned down to place her lips on the nape of his neck and whispered.
«Hey»
«Mmh»
«Don't do that»
«I'm going to miss you»
«I'm going to miss you too»
«Six months»
«Yeah, six months»
«God, Donna, that's way too long»
«Come on, we'll call each other all the time, we'll FaceTime, and before you know it, I'll be in the front row cheering for you when you graduate with your master's degree»
«I can't wait»
«It'll be quick, you'll see»
Seeing him stare at the horizon and sigh, she chuckled softly before whispering while sliding her hand through his mid-length dirty blonde hair.
«Harv, what's going on in your head?»
«You'll wait for me, right?»
«Of course. You asked me for a little time, and I said yes»
«I'm afraid you'll get tired of waiting»
«Never»
«Donna, I —»
«Never, Harv. Alright?»
«Alright»
« Good. Anyway, you have to go now, or you'll be stuck in traffic getting back to Harvard »
«Yeah, you're right»
«Kiss me first?»
After a tender kiss, she murmured against his lips.
« See you this summer? »
«See you this summer»
After that, both of them were back at their respective universities, texting constantly, spending hours on the phone, while they missed each other terribly. Even though they hadn't yet discussed who they really were to each other, when a girl got a little too clingy to Harvey, he was quick to say that his girl was in Yale as he liked to fall asleep every night looking at a picture of the two of them in a photo booth right on the wall. As for the redhead, she couldn't help but smile at the picture on the fridge that Harvey had given her of him half-naked while she explained that her boyfriend was at Harvard whenever anyone asked her if she was in a relationship. Quickly, the months passed, and after having passed all their exams, the three young people found themselves in Hartford, and while Donna and Marcus were already at the Specters, the moment Harvey arrived, everyone greeted each other, the two lovers hugging each other quickly, hoping that Marcus would disappear so that they would be alone. Seeing that the two young people were only looking at each other with a small smile, wanting to end the torture, Gordon got up to talk to his younger son.
«Marcus, shall we go get some pizza for lunch?»
«What? Oh, come on, you can't go alone?»
«I'm not going to carry four pizzas and the drinks all by myself, come on»
«What about Harvey?»
«He just arrived, let him settle in first»
«You're coming, Red?»
«Marcus, she's invited, we're not going to bother her. Come on, otherwise we'll never eat»chuckled Gordon.
«Alright»
As soon as the door slammed, Donna jumped into Harvey's arms, who made them fall on the couch to pepper her face with kisses while she chuckled. Once on her lips, they kissed languidly — tongues and teeth — until they separated because of the lack of air.
«I'm so happy to see you, Donna»
«Me too, I missed you so much»
«So much»
For another thirty minutes, they talked about everything and nothing, stopping only to kiss, both lying on the couch, Harvey on top of Donna, her sliding her hand into his hair and him caressing her face and hair. If only they could have stayed there for hours, as Harvey received a text from his father telling him that they would be home in five minutes, giving the two youngsters time to sit on the couch and for their lips to be less swollen before Marcus came back. A few minutes later, while they were all at the table and chatting about everything and nothing in a warm atmosphere, the moment Gordon changed the subject, Donna felt like she just got stabbed in the heart.
«So? What about next? Do you have any news from Jessica for your job at the DA's office?»
«About that— »
As Donna saw him glance at her furtively while biting his lip, she quickly understood that there was something wrong and looked at him with big eyes while he continued to speak.
«I'm going back to Harvard to graduate in two days, then I have to go straight to New York because I start next Monday»
«Monday? As in a week?»asked Marcus.
«Yeah»
«That's fast»added Gordon.
«I know»
«So you won't be spending the summer break here?»whispered Donna.
She understood why he looked guilty while looking at her now, because they had waited so long for summer to arrive to finally spend time together. But now, Harvey was leaving for New York while she would stay in Hartford, more than two and a half hours away, and the disappointment could be read on both their faces while Gordon was heartbroken seeing them that sad.
«Unfortunately, no. But I thought you could come to New York to help me with my move, right?»
While Harvey only looked at the redhead, seeing her quickly nod silently, it was Gordon who continued the conversation, seeing Marcus a little lost in the silence in the room.
«Of course we will come. Come on Harvey, I know you are the most muscular around the table, but you will still need us, even if I doubt Marcus will be of much help»
«Dad. Come on»snorted the younger brother.
That same evening, as they lay in each other's arms, Harvey stroking the redhead's hair while she slid her fingers over his bare chest, he heard Donna whisper.
«Why didn't you tell me?»
«Because I didn't want to. I mean, I was so looking forward to spending my summer with you before leaving for New York, then Jessica called. I tried to negotiate, but I had no choice. So I wanted to enjoy the little time we had together. Are you mad at me?»
«No, I'm just... sad»
«Me too»
«But we still have a few days, right?»
«Right»
Again, they fell asleep in each other's arms before Harvey sneaked out of the room again the next day. As promised, she was in the front row a few days later to applaud him when he was called to the podium to receive his diploma. After a few pictures, Gordon found an excuse for Marcus to go to the car as they were left alone.
«You look hot in your graduation gown»chuckled Donna.
«I know, right?»
«Congratulations, by the way»
«Thanks»
«I'm proud of you, you know»
As she looked at him with an adorable smile, he couldn't help but lean in to kiss her quickly, not giving a damn that they were in public in the middle of Harvard campus. Even though they wanted to stay like this forever, quickly, all four of them found themselves in Harvey's room to put the last things in the boxes to bring them to the trunk, the rest having already been sent a few days before by Harvey to the studio that Jessica had found for him. If everyone first returned to Hartford to spend the night, the next day, they left the Specter house early to drive to New York, taking advantage of the two-hour drive to get to the lawyer's future place. If Harvey and Donna knew that they wouldn't have much time just the two of them, it was without counting on Gordon, their number one fan, who did everything to give the two lovers time for themselves.
«Alright, Donna, you don't mind driving with Harvey? So Marcus is driving with me»
«Well, I could drive with Donna, she still has to explain her program for next year at Yale»said Marcus.
«And what? Leave your old father alone?»
«Well, we're coming with you then»
«And leave your brother alone? Come on, it's only two hours, you'll have all summer to chat with Donna»
«Hey Marcus, Are you going to chat for a long time? We only have one day to unpack and put everything away»snorted Harvey.
«Come on, Marcus. Besides, you know how much your brother has shitty musical tastes, he needs an expert, right?»giggled Donna.
«Well, Red... you need courage to spend two hours with this jerk»
«Shut up»
«Come on, boys. Let's go»
As soon as Marcus had his back turned, Harvey smiled at his father, murmuring a thank you, to which the father replied with an nod, smiling as he saw Donna gently caressing Harvey's back, placing a discreet kiss on his clothed shoulder while he was opening the door for her. For almost two hours, Harvey and Donna chatted about everything and nothing, the now lawyer gently caressing the redhead's thigh while he alternated between looking at the road and observing the redhead, as if to memorize every feature of her. Once they arrived in New York, everyone got busy unpacking all the boxes and putting everything away in the closets to finish everything before sunset. Harvey's new place of life was not very big, it was a simple studio paid for by Jessica with a kitchen at the entrance with a rather small bathroom right next door and a single room that would serve as his bedroom, living room, and dining room. It was not much, but it was enough for him alone, the time he could afford something better with his salary at Pearson-Hardman when he would leave the DA's. In the evening, while they were all done with their shitty Thai, all sitting on the small sofa, Gordon murmured.
«Alright, we're going home soon. Are you coming back with us, Harvey?»
«I'm going to stay, I start in four days, and I still have a lot to do»
«But will you come to Hartford before I go back to California?»
«I promise you nothing, but I'll try, Marcus»
«Alright. Should we go?»
«Yes»sighed Gordon.
«Let's go, Red?»
«Oh, she's staying»said Harvey.
«What?»asked Marcus.
While Donna seemed surprised, she saw Harvey nodding at her and then speaking as if nothing had happened.
«You didn't tell him about Rachel?»
Understanding quickly where he was going with this, the redhead continued.
«I didn't tell you? Oh yeah, well, I told her I was going to New York for Harvey's move, and since she's here with her parents in Long Island City, she invited me to spend a few days with them»
« Oh no, you didn't tell me anything »
« Well, that's probably because she called you when we were getting ready to leave Hartford, right? »lied Harvey.
«Exactly. I forgot, sorry»replied Donna.
«That's why we arrived later, we had to make a round trip to Hartford to get her stuff»continued the lawyer.
«Lucky you, Red. A few days in New York, you sure Rachel doesn't want to get to know me too?»
«Urgh»moaned to Donna as the three men laughed.
«Alright. We have to go. Marcus, you're ready?»
«Sure»
«Donna, you want me to drop you at... Rachel?»
«I'll go with her, Dad. You still have a long way to go»
«Alright»
After the last hugs, Marcus and Gordon left the apartment, and as soon as the door slammed, Harvey grabbed Donna to throw her on the bed to kiss her tenderly.
«Harv, what was that? I don't have any clothes»
«Yes, I packed you a bag before leaving»
«So you mean we're going to spend three days in New York just you and me?»
«Exactly. And as tempting as staying in bed with you may be, I think we have a city to visit, right?»
«Let's go?»
«Let's go»
At almost midnight, the couple were walking through the busy streets of New York hand in hand, the redhead looking at her surroundings with excitement while Harvey fell a little more in love with her. That evening, they fell dead tired into the lawyer's bed before starting again the next day, and the day after that, enjoying those last few hours together. As they were eating breakfast in bed, Donna whispered.
«What do you want to do for our last day in New York?»
«Well, whatever you want. What time is your bus tomorrow morning?»
«At eight»
«Alright»
«So?»smiled Donna.
«Well, there's something we absolutely have to do today, and I'm not sure you're going to like it»
An hour later, as Harvey was sitting in front of the mirror, he couldn't help but laugh as he saw Donna sitting there, staring at him with a shocked expression.
«You're alright?»
«It's a day of mourning for me»
«We're talking about hair, Donna»
«I know, but I liked your mid-length hair. Now it's... short?»
«Come on, you see me pleading in court with a surfer cut?»
«Hot»smirked Donna.
«But not serious»
«Alright»grumbled the redhead.
About twenty minutes later, as they were leaving the hairdresser, he could see Donna inspecting him with a pout.
«You still find me handsome?»
«Of course, you're very handsome, I just have to get used to it»
«I understand»
«It's like me without my bangs»
«As late as possible, please. I love your bangs»murmured Harvey before kissing her delicately.
The rest of the day, they spent it walking in the streets of New York, hand in hand, talking about everything and nothing until the evening when they returned to the lawyer's studio, finding themselves both lying in his bed, Donna on the mattress, Harvey half on top of her, propped on his elbow, caressing her face and her hair, all the while murmuring softly.
«I don't want you to leave»
«Me neither, but you start working tomorrow and I have to go back to Hartford otherwise Marcus will suspect something»
«I know»
«But I'll come back, okay? And when you have time, take the car and come meet me at Yale, it's only an hour and a half drive»
«As soon as I can, I'll be there. But I can't wait for you to finish your studies and come meet me here»
«Harvey, don't get your hopes up too much»
Faced with Donna's words, he said nothing because he knew she was right. Her dream was also New York, and if they followed their dreams together, in a year, as soon as she finished her studies, they would find themselves in New York, where Harvey would be a lawyer, Donna would work in something related to Broadway, they would be happy together, and they could maybe admit it to everyone too, but unfortunately, they were only dreams. Working in New York was hard, and Donna would never come without the certainty of having a job when she got there, so even if she dreamed of joining Harvey as soon as she finished her studies, she had no certainty of her future. Feeling the lawyer tighten his grip on her, she flipped them over, finding herself straddling him to take his face in her hands, forcing him to look at her.
«I'll do everything so I can to meet here in a year, okay?»
«I love you, Donna»
For a few seconds, they simply looked at each other, the redhead shocked by the words she never thought she would hear one day while Harvey was torn between the fear of having gone too far and the relief of having finally been able to tell her how he felt. If he dreaded her answer, he straightened up so that they were both sitting, facing each other with Donna still straddling him, while she slid her arms around his neck to whisper against his lips.
«I love you too, Harvey»
After capturing his lips between hers, she slid her hands under his t-shirt, feeling his warm skin under her fingers before she removed it. As he found himself shirtless, still wearing only his jeans, he saw Donna take off her own t-shirt in turn while he continued to kiss her neck, holding her as tight as possible against him while whispering against her skin.
«Donna»
«What?»
«I don't want you to think that— »
«It's been almost a year since we slept together. I miss you»
« This time is different, Donna. I don't want you to think that — »
«I know»
«Alright»
Donna took the opportunity to push his body with hers, sliding her lips along his neck, on his chest, and on his abs before unbuttoning his jeans, and the young man quickly got rid of his pants. He then flipped them out over this time, trailing kisses down her body before reaching her pants and sliding them down her legs until they were off hers, both of them only in their underwear. It had been a long time since they had sex, because after the lawyer's passage at Yale, even though Harvey had slept with Scottie a few times when he was completely wasted and Donna had sex with Thomas who she was dating at the time, since Christmas, both of them had been abstinent, and before that, neither of them had felt what they did when they were together. So once completely naked, Harvey looked into Donna's eyes for approval, the redhead only kissing him passionately to let him know she was more than ready, and the moment he thrust into her softly, both of them moaned at the pleasure of being like this again for the first time in months. That night, they made love for hours, a mixture of melancholy at the idea of having to separate the next day and the passion of finally being reunited because they loved each other and not just for fun. All night long, their soaking wet bodies were sliding against each other, their moans echoing in the room, their hot breaths caressing their skin, and as they were both sitting, the redhead undulating her body on Harvey's, their fingers intertwined, the lawyer thought he was dying when he heard Donna murmured against his lips.
«I love you, Harvey»
« I love you too, Donna. So much »