Donna was used to planes.
In fact, although her first flight had been to visit a sick aunt in Wyoming during her teenage years, her travels since then had changed quite a bit. Trips with friends to Europe, a master's degree abroad, relaxing beach vacations, and now, business trips — the redhead was accustomed to it all. Having passed through Hamilton College, Oxford, and finally Yale to earn her master's in fine arts, she had followed the perfect path to land her dream job — theater actress. Ever since she was little, all she had ever dreamed of doing was this, she didn't want to do anything else, she knew it was her destiny. She started with small school plays, then joined theater troupes, each one bigger and more important than the last, until she ended up on Broadway, where she truly thrived. By attending countless auditions, she had gradually climbed the ranks, finding herself in international productions that allowed her to perform her plays all around the world and fulfill her childhood dream — like right now, portraying Éponine Thénardier in Les Misérables, currently being staged in London. After nearly a month of performances in the British capital, the redhead would soon be back home — New York — deciding to take a two-week break before resuming her job as an assistant director while waiting for Shakespeare in the Park to begin, allowing her to perform in the playwright's outdoor plays in Central Park the entire summer. But before thinking about how her next few days, or even week, would unfold, she needed to first get home, which was why she was sitting at gate A36 of Heathrow Airport today, waiting for a moment now. If she was starting to get frustrated with the wait, she was at least happy to finally hear the automated voice echoing through the speakers of the large open space, announcing the boarding.
«Ladies and gentlemen, we are now inviting passengers to board flight BA 113 to New York JFK. Please make your way to Gate A36 for immediate boarding. Passengers in Business Class and those with priority boarding may proceed first. We kindly ask that all other passengers follow the instructions of the gate agents. Thank you for choosing Delta Airlines, and we wish you a pleasant flight»
Even though the redhead earned a good living and sometimes felt like a big star when people waited for her outside the theater for photos or autographs, she liked flying because it allowed her to feel like an ordinary person. So, yeah, she could have taken a first-class seat, but she thought it was a waste to spend so much money on a simple seat, preferring Premium Economy instead — the only difference was more comfort and space. Little by little, she watched the different classes move forward — First Class, Club World, and finally, her turn, Premium Economy — as she moved toward the flight attendant who was murmuring with a British accent.
«Boarding pass and passport, please»
«Here»
«Thank you... Alright, there you go — have a nice flight»
«Thanks»
After a final smile, she tucked her documents into her large tote bag before moving toward the plane, her suitcase already checked in as she scrolled on her phone while they slowly moved forward. As soon as her foot touched the plane, she heard the flight attendants greeting the passengers until she looked up from her screen, raised her head to look around, and murmured softly.
«Hi»
«Hello, welcome on board»
As she smiled at the two ladies, she swallowed hard when she noticed a man just behind them, leaning against one of the internal walls of the plane, talking and laughing with someone inside the cockpit. Dirty blonde hair, a chiseled jawline, a smirk on his face, arms crossed over his chest, a short-sleeve white shirt hugging his muscular biceps, and a dark blue black tie — he looked hot. If she thought this brief moment was about to end, with the redhead preparing to head to her seat, she hadn't counted on the pilot as, at that moment, he turned to greet the passengers, his gaze locking onto hers. If he looked handsome in profile, he was even more striking from the front as he looked at her with big, chocolate-brown eyes — a mix of tenderness and overwhelming desire inside them. Unfortunately, their brief eye contact was quickly interrupted as other passengers arrived, forcing Donna to mov toward her seat, her heart racing, not really knowing why. On his side, after feeling something he had never felt before — a fluttering sensation in his stomach — the pilot hurried to snap out of his trance when his best friend and co-pilot grabbed his arm to pull him out of his daydream.
«Wow, hey Harvey, you good?»
«Mike. I just saw the most beautiful girl I've ever seen»
«Seriously?»
«What?»
«Even on the plane? You just can't help yourself, huh?» chuckled the blonde.
«Bro… it's different»
Mike had known Harvey for years — they had met in school while training to become pilots, and since then, they made sure to travel together, spending their flights chatting and laughing, becoming like brothers over time. Between them, it wasn't just about joking around, there was also a deep trust and support, which meant Mike knew Harvey's past, his views on serious relationships and love, and had witnessed him spending nights in hotels with flight attendants and women from all over the world, reassuring himself in this way without getting attached. So now, when Harvey murmured those few words in a tone that was half-embarrassed, half-scared, Mike could tell that something was really bothering his best friend.
«What? She's hotter than all the women you've ever been with?»
«Yeah, but not only that. She's beautiful, but she also has this… stillness and calm… I don't know» sighed Harvey.
«You saw that just with one look?» whispered Mike.
While the blonde waited for a response, Harvey was no longer focused at all as he was trying to catch a glimpse of the redhead who had disappeared into the aisles of the plane while people continued to board. After nearly ten minutes, Harvey kept replaying in his mind the way he had caught a glimpse of her beautiful doe-like green-brown eyes, her fine freckles subtly covering her cheekbones and nose, or how her vibrant hair seemed to float around her face. But even though he wished he could daydream a little longer, he was quickly snapped back to reality by the voice of one of the flight attendants echoing through the plane.
«Boarding complete»
That was his cue to grab the phone outside the cockpit and start the announcement before joining Mike again to start the plane's engine. As he refocused on the device in front of him, he then pressed the mic and began his little pre-flight speech, a smirk playing on his lips.
«Ladies and gentlemen, this is Captain Harvey Specter, and alongside me is Mike Ross, your co-pilot for this flight to New York JFK. We're finalizing preparations and should be in the air in just a few minutes. The flight will last approximately 8 hours and 15 minutes with clear skies along the entire route, so excellent visibility throughout the flight. In-flight service will begin shortly after takeoff, and we'll provide all the information on meals and entertainment in a moment. Please remember, the crew is here to assist you with any questions. Mike, the team and myself wish you a pleasant flight — especially to the beautiful redhead who caught my eye while boarding — and we thank you for choosing to fly with us. See you soon in New York»
As the entire plane chuckled at the man's announcement, Donna blushed, realizing that the mysterious pilot — Harvey Specter, apparently — was referring to her in his message while her heart raced, never having been so flattered in that moment. As the flight attendants walked down the aisles to check seat belts and overhead compartments, Harvey and Mike pressed a series of buttons, starting up the plane and maneuvering it on the tarmac before beginning the takeoff. About ten minutes later, once the plane was in the air, Harvey engaged the autopilot and started a conversation with his best friend, while Donna began reading the next play she would be supervising as assistant director, realizing she still had nearly eight hours of flight ahead of her. In the meantime, in the cockpit, as the two best friends chatted, the door opened, and one of the flight attendants poked her head inside, murmuring softly.
«Hey, can I bring you something to drink?»
«Coke Zero» smiled Mike.
«Specter?»
«Water. But I need something else»
As Harvey looked at the young woman with a teasing smile, Mike rolled his eyes and refocused on his panel, muttering under his breath while the pilot explained his plan to the attendant. Meanwhile, as Donna made some notes in her script, she was surprised to hear a female voice next to her.
«Excuse me, Miss»
«Yes?»
«You've been upgraded — if you would follow me»
«Oh, I think there's been a mistake. I didn't request an upgrade, it must be for someone else…»
«It's a request from the pilot himself — he asked me to upgrade the most beautiful woman on this plane, gorgeous redhead, dark green sweater, and doe-like green-brown eyes — I suppose it's you»
«Oh, um… I don't know. I —»
«It's his words, not mine. Come on, follow me» chuckled the woman.
Not knowing what to say, Donna stood up, grabbed her bag, and followed the flight attendant down the aisle, feeling the eyes on her as she gradually made her way to the front of the plane until they eventually reached First Class, where the young woman gestured for her to sit. A little embarrassed, Donna settled into the spacious seat, which could transform into a bed, complete with ultra-high-definition entertainment screens and personalized service — an option she would experience throughout the flight. Once Donna was settled in, the flight attendant returned to the cockpit, where Harvey was eagerly awaiting an update, a silly smile on his lips as Mina spoke.
«Alright, she looked surprised. At first, she thought it was a mistake, but when I gave her the description you made of her, she followed me»
«How did she react?»
«She blushed»
«Bingo» chuckled Harvey.
«I don't think you're leaving her indifferent, Specter»
«Good start, huh?»
«Sure» snorted Mike.
«Thanks, Mina, I might need you a bit later»
«Alright»
Once they were alone again in the cockpit, Harvey staring at the sky ahead of him, Mike smiled and softly snorted.
«Are you in love or something?»
«Calm down — I'm not in love with this girl, alright?» chuckled Harvey.
«But since we took off, you've been in a good mood, haven't you? The way she blushed at your lame jokes, making her happy by upgrading her — it feels good, huh?»
«Yeah, yeah»
«Well, take your chance then»
«What the hell? I'm just doing this because she's hot and I'm stuck with you for hours»
«Hey, don't lie… It's me»
«Even then… She's a passenger, Mike."
«So what?»
«I can't believe it» snorted Harvey.
«Look, at worst, it doesn't work out. Once you're in New York, she'll get off your plane and disappear into the city, and you'll never see her again. Things will go back to normal. Or, things will click, like that first glance, and it could take you somewhere»
«How do you want me to know that?»
«Well, you've got eight hours of flight to figure it out— since, you know, you're stuck with me »
As Mike gave him a half-teasing, half-reassuring smile, Harvey thought for a split second about what he was going to do. Sure, it was completely crazy — an woman he didn't know and had only seen for thirty seconds was making him question nearly twenty years of preconceived ideas about relationships and affection. Maybe she was annoying, mean, or just plain uninteresting, but something told Harvey to dig a little deeper — he had nothing to lose, after all. Plus, the young pilot liked challenges, flirting, and, mostly, liked women — Mike was right, nothing ventured, nothing gained — even if deep down, he had this strange feeling that he wanted more. So, feeling slightly determined, he quickly called for a flight attendant, murmuring with a smile.
«Mina? I need you to bring me a napkin and a pen, please»
«Right away»
A few seconds later, the brunette appeared with the essentials, while Mike tried to see what Harvey was writing, but without much success, as Harvey handed the napkin to Mina with a big smile, adding simply.
«With a glass of champagne, please»
Seeing what he had written on the napkin, Mina chuckled before murmuring.
«I didn't know you were this romantic, Specter»
In an instant, the young woman left the cockpit, and Harvey's heart raced. A few feet away, while Donna was still a little flustered by her upgrade, she continued reading her script until the same flight attendant from earlier returned to interrupt her.
«Miss — here, for you»
«Oh, I didn't order champagne»
«Again — courtesy of the pilot»
«Oh... um... thank you, I guess?» giggled Donna.
«He also left this for you»
As the woman handed her the napkin before disappearing, Donna glanced around to make sure no one was watching as she quickly opened it discreetly, feeling her heart race and her cheeks burn as she read the phrase written in black marker.
I've seen the whole world and you are the most beautiful woman in it – H
Donna was used to being charmed and flirted with, after all, she loved it and played along too. But she had to admit, the words on that simple napkin were both teasing and sweet, exactly how she imagined the stranger in the cockpit. So, with her heart racing a thousand miles per hour, she sipped her glass of champagne, feeling the mix of alcohol and excitement rise within her, warming her cheeks even more. Meanwhile, as Donna finished drinking her drink leisurely, continuing her annotations on the script calmly, the atmosphere in the cockpit was quite different as the two best friends chatted together. After a few seconds, while Harvey seemed lost in his thoughts again, Mike chuckled before murmuring.
«You're okay there?»
«The personalized message, the upgrade, the glass of champagne, the little note... what else can I do?»
«I don't know... I mean, we're in an airplane, so you don't have that many options — maybe some extra food?»
«The food is disgusting here. What do you want me to offer her, an extra chicken masala? That's a shitty idea»
«Well, the vacuum-sealed individual chocolate molten cake isn't that bad» snorted the blonde.
«Great... You can be sure that would help me»
«Hey, Harv — you've been flirting with her from a distance since the beginning of the flight and you still haven't gotten a harassment complaint, that's a good thing, right?» chuckled Mike.
«Yeah» snorted Harvey.
«What's next, then?»
«I don't know…»
«What do you mean you don't know?»
«What do I do if it works?»
«Well, you give her your contact information and invite her for a drink as soon as you're in New York again»
«And what if she's not from New York? What if she's from a small village in Great Britain? We'll never cross paths again…» sighed the pilot.
«Alright, wait a second»
Quickly, Mike left the cockpit, smiling at Mina as he passed, then walked down the aisle of the plane under the curious gaze of the passengers. He knew exactly where to look for her — premium class, redhead — and as he walked, his eyes scanned the cabin, and soon enough, he spotted her. She was reading, the napkin resting on her lap with a little smile on her face as Mike approached — she was beautiful, not to the point of driving him insane like for Harvey, but he understood the fascination. She was indeed stunning, yes, but like his best friend deduced, it was the calmness, the kindness, and the quiet confidence that drew him in. As soon as he reached her, he squatted down in the aisle, meeting her eyes and talking with a chuckle in his voice.
«Hey, I'm Mike Ross, one of the pilots on this flight. Look, I know this is a bit weird, but my colleague and best friend hasn't stopped talking about you since we took off. Apparently, you caught his eye, and he's been trying all kinds of ways to impress the mysterious redhead since we left — he's acting like a teenager with his first crush. Anyway, I'm kind of out of ideas, so I was wondering if you'd be interested in seeing the cockpit? I mean, I'm not forcing you or anything, but as cute as it is, I've still got nearly seven hours stuck in the cabin with him, and I can already feel the migraine coming on trying to help him get you to notice him. So? What do you think?»
For a few seconds, Donna said nothing, looking up at Mike with wide eyes, unsure how to respond. The truth was, she didn't really know Harvey — she'd only seen him for a fraction of a second — but as crazy as it was, she had to admit, she couldn't stop thinking about him, especially since his little gestures had truly touched her. After a moment of reflection, seeing the man crouched beside her with a sincere smile, she murmured.
«Would it be crazy to say I'm tempted?»
«Not crazier than deciding to flirt with a stranger after just three seconds of eye contact — come on»
As crazy as it sounded, Donna gave a small smile before standing up and walking toward the cockpit. Her legs were slightly trembling as she wondered what was happening to her. Normally, she was so confident, self-assured, and playful, but now she felt like she was losing all her composure in front of this stranger with his devastating smile. Once in front of the cockpit, Mike opened the door, signaling her to enter, stepping back to give them a little privacy. At first, she was impressed by the console — all the buttons, the screens — and the breathtaking view of the sky. Her gaze then shifted to the pilot, who was slightly slouched in his seat, filling out some paperwork, his bulging biceps contracting with each word he wrote, completely oblivious to her presence. After a brief pause, she took a deep breath and, adopting her usual teasing smile, murmured.
«Now, this is a cockpit…»
In an instant, the pilot turned abruptly, noticing the redhead leaning against the side of the cabin, her arms crossed over her chest, her gorgeous smile lighting up the space, and for a moment, as he saw her bite her lip, he murmured.
«Do you like my cockpit?»
«I do. It's... big»
As they both chuckled at the dirty insinuation, Harvey looked at her tenderly, speaking softly with a cute smile.
«There you are»
«There I am, indeed — so you don't know how to flirt with me anymore?»
«Mike said that? Great, now I look like an idiot»
«No, you're not — it's… cute»
«Alright»
For a few seconds, neither of them knew what to say, the air between them charged with tension until it was Harvey who decided to take the lead, falling back on his natural charm. With a seductive look, he extended his hand toward her and murmured.
«I'm Harvey — though I suppose you already figured that out»
«I did — Donna, nice to meet you»
«Donna... alright. Well, let me tell you — Donna — you're even more beautiful than I imagined from here»
«You're not too bad yourself»
«I know» chuckled Harvey.
«Oh my god» snorted Donna.
For a few seconds, they both laughed at Harvey's exaggerated confidence and though they couldn't explain it, they felt an ease between them, as if they had known each other for years. A sense of comfort washed over them as their eyes met, filled with amusement and tenderness and if neither of them knew exactly what to say, they didn't want to part ways, at least not yet. So after Harvey gave a small nod toward the seat beside him, he smiled at her as he murmured.
«You have time to chat?»
«Well, I have nowhere to go for the next six hours»
«That's a good thing» muttered Harvey, biting his lip.
«But aren't you supposed to, I don't know... be flying?»
«It's on autopilot»
«And your superiors won't mind you bringing a passenger into your cockpit?» smirked Donna.
«Who gives a shit, huh? Plus, I'm pretty sure Mike doesn't mind being kicked out» snorted Harvey.
«Apparently, you're giving him a migraine»
As he rolled his eyes, Donna burst out laughing, instantly feeling more at ease as the tension from before lifted, and they both felt comfortable, Harvey snickering.
«Ah, so it's my fault he has a migraine?»
«His words, not mine... He said it's because of you talking about me all the time» smiled Donna.
«Maybe it's true — come on, have a seat»
«Alright»
Even though the space was tight, and she clearly wasn't fully comfortable, Donna had to admit that the few minutes spent with him had been so relaxed and fun that she didn't want to stop. She shifted in the seat beside him, turning slightly to face him as he began to speak in a soft, teasing voice.
«So... Donna»
«Harvey» giggled the redhead.
«What's a beautiful woman like you doing on a flight from London to New York?»
«Well, I'm an actress — theater — and I just finished a month of performances in London. I'm heading back to New York to get back to my job as an assistant director»
«Actress, huh?»
«Actress, indeed»
«And are you meeting someone in New York?»
As she saw him look at her hands and then at her with an intense gaze, a flicker of hope in his eyes, she couldn't help but smile and blush, realizing his question was anything but innocent. All he wanted to know was whether there was a man waiting for her, though why exactly, she wasn't sure — they barely knew each other, it was too soon to think about spending the rest of their lives together. After gently biting her lip, she replied softly, her voice carrying a tender note.
«No one's waiting for me»
«Good»
The way he murmured that simple word, his voice deep and almost growling, sent a chill through Donna as she shivered, and Harvey noticed the reaction immediately. The urge to lean across the console to warm her up crossed his mind, however, not wanting to indulge in too many provocative thoughts, she decided to shift the conversation.
«What about you? Given the accent, I'd guess American rather than British»
«American, indeed. New York too»
Donna smiled, her curiosity piqued as she adjusted her position to face him more comfortably. She could feel the chemistry between them growing, and the ease with which they were talking made her forget how cramped the cockpit really was, while Harvey's attention seemed solely on her, his playful demeanor never leaving his face.
«New York, huh? Is that where you live?»
«Yeah, born and raised. But I spend most of my time in the sky now — you know, being a pilot and all» chuckled Harvey.
«Must be nice. You get to see the world, but I bet it's a bit lonely up there»
Even though the redhead didn't seem to shy away from deeper conversations, Harvey was still hesitant, rarely discussing his feelings even with his best friend. But as she looked at him with such kindness and warmth, something about her presence made him feel safe enough to open up, just a little. He glanced down at his fingers, feeling the weight of the conversation as it shifted in a direction he hadn't anticipated.
«Sometimes, yeah. Most of my flights are with Mike, so it's all good, but you know, every time it's a different country, a different hotel, and different people. But it's also... freeing — I get to go where I want, when I want. It's not such a bad life»
«Must be nice to have that kind of freedom. I'm stuck in the theater, always running around between rehearsals and shows. No time to just... fly away»
«Hey, maybe you need a change of pace. The skies are always open» winked Harvey.
Faced with Harvey's suggestion, Donna chuckled, realizing that in addition to being handsome, he was pretty darn cute, which melted the redhead's heart. After a few seconds, she couldn't help but murmur, shifting the subject a little to get to know him better.
«So, we're both New Yorkers, that's already one common point — what else, Mister Pilot?»
As soon as Harvey heard Donna address him with a teasing tone, he laughed sincerely and warmly, as if genuinely amused by what she was saying. Once the laughter subsided, he stared at the ceiling for a few seconds, his eyes half-closed, as if deep in thought, before looking back at her and beginning a little anecdote. In the end, neither of them could say how long they had been there, but they had talked about everything and nothing. Over the course of their conversation, they covered their studies, careers, passions, hobbies, and even delved into their childhoods, fears, and insecurities. Harvey had never imagined discussing what he had kept hidden for so long with anyone other than Mike. Yet, the way she listened attentively, without judgment, genuinely interested in him and not just the situation, brought him a sense of calm and serenity he had never known before. The topics shifted from trivial to deep, from lighthearted to more complex discussions, and time seemed to slip away unnoticed. But just as they could have spent the rest of the day talking, they were snapped out of their bubble by a knock on the door as Mike's head appeared, his voice tinged with fatigue as he murmured.
«I'm sorry to interrupt, but it's midnight, I'm exhausted, and my feet are killing me from standing»
«Oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't realize how late it was»
Hurriedly, Donna stood up, glancing at the time on her phone and realizing they had been talking for almost two hours before she turned to Harvey with a sad smile, noticing how the pilot seemed reluctant to let her go. Unfortunately, they had no choice, and she whispered a final apology to Mike before walking out, leaving the two men alone once more while Harvey sank deeper into his seat with a sigh.
«You're alright, dude?»
«Why did you come back?»
«Harvey, you've been locked in there for two hours, and I'm the co-pilot, just for the record»
«Right»
«What happened? Did you two…»
Seeing Mike make suggestive gestures with his hands, Harvey gasped before quickly murmuring.
«What? No»
«I don't know, I mean, no offense, but I know you»
«I know, but this time, it was different»
«Different?»
«Yeah, we talked about everything, joked around, opened up, and it was just... good»
«Wow»
«Yeah»
Faced with the lack of further reaction from his best friend, Mike raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by Harvey's reaction as he muttered softly, his gaze lost in the distance.
«That sounds... actually kinda nice. So, no romance, no sparks flying? Just... a good conversation?»
As Mike gave him the opportunity to elaborate, to talk a bit about what he was feeling for the redhead, even if it was completely crazy since she was a stranger, he waited for a few seconds as he saw Harvey lean back in his seat, his expression thoughtful when he sighed.
«Yeah, I guess. I don't know, Mike. It felt... easy. Like, we just clicked. It wasn't forced or anything. We talked about everything — our past, our fears, our goals. It was... real. I mean, I even talked to her about my parents and how fucked up they were»
«Your parents?» gasped Mike.
«Yeah — can you imagine?»
Seeing Harvey chuckling, as if he couldn't quite believe he'd dared to talk about his biggest fears to a girl he barely knew, Mike mirrored him, clearly enjoying the uncharacteristic side of Harvey opening up like this. As he watched him bite his lip and his thoughtful expression, the blonde man squeezed his shoulder before murmuring.
«Well, I gotta say, that's a first. You, talking about feelings and everything. I didn't even know you were capable of being that honest. Guess she's got you good, huh?»
«Shut up, dude. It's just... I don't know, Mike. There was something about her, she wasn't like everyone else. She listened, you know? Actually listened and cared about me, about the person I am, not my money, my physical appearance, sex, or anything — just me»
Face to Harvey's revelation, Mike's expression softened, sensing the genuine shift in Harvey as he sighed, whispering softly.
«Sounds like you're starting to see the difference between a fling and something real. Good for you, brother»
«Yeah, I think it might be» chuckled the pilot.
There was a long pause as Harvey remained silent for a moment, staring out the cockpit window, lost in thought while Mike looked at him. The hum of the airplane engines and the quiet atmosphere around them made it seem like the world had slowed down, giving him space to reflect on everything that had happened until he whispered.
«Hey, you good?»
«Yeah, yeah»
«You know you can talk to me, right? No judgement»
For a few seconds, the cabin remained silent, Harvey's gaze lost in the void while the young pilot slightly bit his lip as Mike waited for his best friend to speak. It was better not to push Harvey too hard, lest he close up on himself, but as Mike could see that Harvey was about to give in, despite holding back from discussing a topic that was so complicated for him, he waited, and after a few seconds of silence, Harvey took a deep breath, looked down, and murmured, twisting his fingers.
«How do you know you're in love?»
Understanding that Harvey was probably referring to the beautiful redhead who had been occupying his thoughts since takeoff, Mike would normally have teased him, but this time, he took advantage of the fact that they were locked in the cockpit for nearly five more hours together to create a trusting environment conducive to discussion. So, with sincerity, he calmly replied.
«Well, being in love means having the person constantly on your mind, thinking about them all the time. It's feeling a kind of happiness wash over you when you see them or think about them. It's when you feel safe and comforted, like you can be your true self with them. It's when you want to share everything, talk for hours without ever getting tired, and you feel that joyful nervousness when you're with the person you love, like butterflies in your stomach. Being in love is complicated, but it's so good»
«And do you believe in love at first sight?»
«I do. The day I first saw Rachel in the subway, I immediately knew she was the one for me, because apart from the fact that she was particularly beautiful, the way she smiled at him just completely shook me. I saw her, and I knew I needed to run after her. Why? Are you in love with the mysterious redhead?»
«Her name is Donna, and no. I mean, I don't even know her, she's a stranger and I've known her for barely a few hours, so I don't think so. It's just... I've never fallen in love before, but I don't know... like I said, she's different — in one glance, she destabilized me»
«Well, nothing ventured, nothing gained»
«What does that mean?»
«Take your chance»
«What are you talking about? Mike, I'm a pilot, I travel all over the world, I have neither the time nor the space for someone stable in my life»
«And me? I remind you that, like you, I'm a pilot, and I travel all over the world too. But that doesn't change the fact that when I come home at night, I have a girlfriend waiting for me»
«Yeah, but isn't it hard to be away from her all the time, only seeing her for a few hours a day sometimes?»
This was the first time they had ever talked about love and relationships with each other — a topic Harvey usually avoided because he didn't care much about it, even though he knew Rachel well and crashed on their couch often when he didn't want to be alone. Now that Harvey was opening up a little more, Mike took the opportunity to try to reassure him that love wasn't always what his parents had known and that it wasn't doomed to failure and sadness. So, facing his best friend's question, he answered with sincerity.
«Not really. On the contrary, I always look forward to coming home to see her, and the time we spend together is that much more precious. I enjoy our lives like that»
«And doesn't that scare you?»
«Scare me?»
«That one day it might end, and you'd have your heart broken?» murmured Harvey.
«No»
«Mike, don't say that just to reassure me»
«I'm serious. I hope our story never ends because I love her, but I tell myself that if it does sadly come to that, at least I'll have been happy for as long as it lasted, because being in love brings you a form of happiness that's so pure and intense»
At Mike's explanation, Harvey remained thoughtful, reflecting on the words he had just heard a few seconds earlier, feeling as tense as he did before taking his pilot exam. All those notions of love, eternity, relationships, and the future — they all terrified him — but meeting Donna had completely thrown him off course and made him think, as crazy as it seemed. Feeling Mike squeeze his shoulder, Harvey looked at him with a shy smile before offering to check the different airplane parameters — speed, trajectory, altitude, weather, fuel, cabin pressure, temperature, and communication systems — briefly talking to air traffic control before checking the time. They had taken off from London at 8:10 PM, and as it was nearly 1:00 AM local time, Harvey figured the redhead must be sleeping in her first-class seat by now. So after setting the night shifts with Mike, Harvey fell asleep first for a change, with plans to switch with his best friend in about an hour and a half. He closed his eyes, and images of the redhead flashed through his mind as, surprisingly, for the first time in years, he fell asleep easily. However, he was woken later by Mike, who was taking over his shift but before his co-pilot went to sleep in turn, Harvey hurriedly stepped out of the cockpit, glancing down the aisles without seeing her as he then spoke to Mina.
«Hey, can you get me a coffee, please?»
«Yeah, sure — wait»
«Is she asleep?»
«The last time I passed by, yeah, she was sleeping. And let me tell you, I've never seen someone look more beautiful while sleeping» chuckled the little brunette.
«Would it be creepy to go check?»
«A bit... but I didn't see anything, alright?»
As Mina went off to get Harvey's coffee, he quickly walked through the aisle, stopping dead in his tracks when he saw her. Mina was definitely right — how was it possible to be so beautiful while sleeping? Man, she was truly the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, and as she appeared deeply asleep, her head resting against the side of the plane near the window, with a shawl in between, he quickly returned to the cockpit, grabbed his coffee, thanked Mina, and went back to his seat, Mike groaning.
«Why did it take you so long?»
«I went to see her sleeping»
«What? Harvey, that's creepy»
«She's too beautiful»
«You're a sociopath — come on, let me sleep now»
Quickly, it was Mike's turn to fall asleep in his seat, while Harvey enjoyed his coffee, staring at the clouds ahead and his screen, reflecting on what he was going to do about Donna and what came next, knowing it was either make or break. He wasn't built for a serious relationship — in fact, he had no idea since he had never had that experience — and while he was scared of being disappointed or heartbroken, the idea of never seeing Donna again didn't sit well with him either. What was he going to do? God, why was this so complicated? As he continued to reflect, a thousand thoughts running through his mind, it was time to wake Mike, who groaned next to him, slowly emerging from his sleep, sighing softly and murmuring.
«You good?» muttered Mike.
«What else can I do?»
«What do you mean?»
«There's only two hours left on the flight. I need to come up with something else to do for her» sighed Harvey.
«Bro, I just woke up…»
«Seriously, I've got two hours to get her to like me»
«I think she likes you. Don't worry about that»
«Mike, I'm serious»
«Well, apart from buying all the perfumes on this flight, I don't know what else»
«A perfume is too personal, right? Plus, she probably already has one since she smells so good»
«I don't know, Harvey — a flower?»
«A flower? On a plane? Great, we're just above the ocean, there's probably a florist on the way... are you dumb or what?» laughed Harvey.
«Not that kind of flower… I can make flowers out of tissues» said Mike, grinning mischievously.
«What?»
«Yeah — Rachel showed me how one day. It's really easy»
«Let's do it, then»
Quickly, after Mike grabbed the scissors from the emergency kit and a pack of napkins, the two best friends looked like kids in a crafting class. Harvey followed the second pilot's instructions carefully, and after a few attempts, they managed to create a passable result. A few flowers later, and once satisfied, Harvey opened the cockpit door, calling out to the flight attendant who was passing by.
«Mina?»
«Yeah?»
«Is she awake?»
«Not yet, but we'll be turning everything on in five minutes before serving breakfast — why?»
«Can you drop this on her tray with a coffee? Wait, I'm going to write a little note too»
As Harvey wrote the note, he couldn't help but chuckle. Even though there was a certain level of seriousness in the gesture, the playful side of it was enjoyable, and it made the pilot smile. Once the note was written, he handed everything to Mina, who quickly set the tray down in front of Donna, then returned to the front of the plane to begin turning everything on and making the announcement about the flight's nearing end. On Donna's side, she had never slept so well on a plane, and as she blinked her eyes open, she noticed something on her tray. Realizing what it was, she bit her lip. There was a cup of still-warm coffee, a little biscuit beside it, a series of what looked like tissue flowers, and a small note that made the redhead's heart flutter. With trembling fingers, she grabbed it, recognizing his boyish handwriting as she read the content.
I may be just a pilot, but I know this feeling is more than a moment in the sky.
God, this man was going to kill her. Looking at the time, she realized there was just over an hour left of the flight, meaning she would soon land, return to her life, and probably never see Harvey again. It was crazy — she barely knew him. Sure, the two hours spent chatting had given her the feeling of floating on a cloud — literally — but she knew that coming back to reality was going to be tough. She had never felt such an intense connection, not with any ex or even flings. But with Harvey, it felt like he was absolutely perfect — funny, smart, a bit of a loudmouth, yet sensitive, revealing himself only to those he trusted, making her feel like she was the most important person in the room. On top of everything, he was handsome and so sexy. Lost in her thoughts, she sipped the coffee, knowing that the airline's instant coffee wasn't the best but still touched by the small gesture. As the tip of her finger was brushing against the napkins, her heart melted a little — how cute was he. As breakfast was being served, she noticed the hostess, who had played the role of intermediary at the beginning of the flight, giving her a smile. In the meantime, while eating breakfast, Donna anxiously watched the time tick down on the screen of her seat, feeling the weight of the moments slipping away, knowing that soon, she'd have to return to reality — and that the connection she had felt with Harvey might just become a fleeting memory. A few minutes later, as everyone was finishing their food tray and returning to their seats, Donna hurriedly went over her skincare routine — removing her makeup, cleaning her face as best as she could in the cramped space before applying her cream. As she was just about to reapply a light layer of makeup, she was interrupted by the masculine voice that made her heart skip a beat, resonating through the airplane.
«Ladies and gentlemen, this is Captain Specter. We are approaching our destination and will begin our descent toward New York Airport. The local time is 11 PM, and we should be landing in the next few minutes, right on schedule. Please make sure your seatbelts are fastened and your personal belongings are stowed away. We hope you've had a pleasant flight with us — it certainly has been for me, and I'd like to thank the mysterious redhead for making these eight hours quite enjoyable — and we thank you for choosing Airline. We wish you a wonderful stay in New York or a safe journey back home. Thank you»
As Donna listened to the captain's voice echo through the speakers, a smile tugged at the corners of her lips, Harvey's warm yet teasing tone made her heart flutter, even though she knew the flight was nearly over. His playful mention of the mysterious redhead didn't go unnoticed by her, and as she felt a rush of warmth spread through her chest — and her entire body — she couldn't help but chuckle quietly to herself, her heart still racing at the thought of what was to come next. The reality of landing in New York and going their separate ways hurt, but for these last few minutes, she allowed herself to savor the moment — hearing him talk about her in front of an entire plane. Sure, Harvey had made this flight unforgettable, and though they were strangers just hours ago, something about him made it feel like they'd known each other for years. Lost in thought, the soft buzz of the seatbelt sign brought her back to reality as she gave one last look at her phone, her finger briefly brushing against the note he'd left. It was only a small gesture, but it had made all the difference, and with a deep breath, she prepared herself for what came next. These thirty minutes of descent felt both like the longest and the quickest of their lives — Harvey eager to land so he could finally rush to join her and have a brief conversation, while Donna waited for the fresh air, hoping it would help clear her mind. As the tarmac came into view, the hearts of the two kind-of-lovers began to race in unison, the solid ground symbolizing the painful — or not — separation of their paths. As Harvey and Mike double-checked all the parameters of the plane, the moment the wheels hit the ground, the pilot performed the final maneuvers, slowing the plane and ensuring it was heading in the right direction toward the gate, following the instructions from the ground air traffic controllers. Once the plane came to a stop, Harvey could hear the chatter from the back, signaling that passengers were starting to retrieve their luggage and personal belongings. A few minutes later, as Mike made the final announcement, Harvey realized the passengers were slowly exiting the plane. He hurried to complete the cockpit checks, with Mike murmuring beside him.
«Harvey»
«I can't miss her, Mike»
«I know, but we can't skip a plane check. Remember, the plane's leaving in two hours, so focus — you don't want to have a problem»
Even though Harvey wanted to finish the inspection quickly, he knew Mike was right. He tried to concentrate as best as he could, silently praying that Donna was still waiting for him or that perhaps not all the passengers had left yet — hoping there was a door problem or something. But with only one last thing to do, he jumped out of his seat, tapped Mike on the shoulder, and informed him he'd finish the check alone, all in a rush to open the door. In an instant, he swallowed hard as he stepped out, quickly realizing the plane was empty as only a few flight attendants were still picking up the leftover trash from passengers. In a second, his heart sank — Donna hadn't waited for him, she had already left. The collar of Harvey's shirt felt suddenly tight, and his breathing became more labored as he questioned every decision he'd made — it had taken him just eight hours to fall for her but only a split second to break his heart. Their little story had ended as quickly as it had started, and while his first instinct was to punch the nearest wall to release his frustration, he was quickly brought back to reality by Mina, the head flight attendant, who smiled at him.
«Specter, wait!»
«What?»
«She left this for you»
Seeing the little brunette hand him a piece of paper, Harvey took it with a trembling hand, waiting until he was alone to reveal its contents while his heart raced as he read what she had written in her round, feminine handwriting.
Captain, it was also a pleasure flying with you.
Perhaps we'll cross paths again, but this time, on solid ground.
(212) 586-0422
Seeing the phone number written above, Harvey rushed into the cockpit, looking at his best friend with a wide smile as he showed Mike the note and whispered.
«I'm going to see her again»
«I'm happy for you, brother. Shall we go?»
«Yep»
Quickly, both of them left the plane, taxied to the gate, wrote up the flight report, and headed toward security. An hour later, as they emerged into the arrivals area, Harvey's heart sank when he saw Rachel waiting for Mike in the hall. For the first time, he realized he wanted someone to wait for him after his flights, and as the brunette tenderly kissed her boyfriend of five years, she turned to Harvey and hugged him, rubbing his back while whispering.
«Hey, Harvey»
«Hey, Rach»
«Why did you come, sweetheart? It's six in the morning»
«Hey, you're leaving in twelve hours again, I wanted to see you at least once before» smiled the brunette.
«Yeah, you're right»
«Harvey? Are you heading home, or do you want to crash on our couch?» asked Rachel.
«Wouldn't it bother you? I don't want to be alone»
«No, of course not — come stay with us. But is everything okay?»
Seeing Harvey sigh, Mike slid his arm around his girlfriend's shoulders, kissing her temple before whispering against her hair.
«He's in love»
«What?» gasped the brunette.
Seeing the two men exchange knowing glances, Mike signaling that he would explain to her later, the three young adults headed to their small Brooklyn Heights apartment as they fell into a deep sleep until the alarm went off, signaling the end of their twelve-hour legal break, forcing the two men to return to the airport. But as Harvey thought about when to send a message so he didn't seem desperate, he reached for his phone the moment he opened his eyes, quickly typing a message.
When would I see you again?
As he paced around the living room waiting for a response, his phone buzzed with a notification barely a minute later as he grabbed it immediately and read the reply.
As soon as you can
Alright, that was fast — and definitely good news. Without wasting another second, he replied, his heart pounding in his chest, not entirely understanding what was happening to him but happy to feel all those new sensations.
I'll be back in New York on Thursday
See you Thursday, then
He understood they would likely arrange to grab a drink or something when he returned, so with a big smile, Harvey quietly left his best friend's apartment to head home and prepare for his next flight — this time, to Madrid — and without Mike. As he spent the next two days thinking about her, it was the same for Donna, who felt like she was losing her mind every time she looked at the date, wondering where their brief encounter would lead once he got back to New York. The hours felt endless, and as Harvey prepared to land in New York after nine hours in the sky, his co-pilot leaned in and murmured to make conversation.
«So? When's your next flight, Specter?»
«I've got a one-week break, then I think I'm flying to Stockholm. What about you?»
«I'm heading back out to Berlin tomorrow. Got anything planned for your week off?»
«Not sure yet»
In truth, all he could think about was landing, turning on his phone, and hearing from Donna — hoping to find out what she had in mind for them — but as he rushed through the final checks, a quiet sigh escaped his lips when he saw no message from her. Not wanting to seem like the desperate guy clinging to the hope of a date, he told himself to be patient — after all, it was only 3 p.m. in New York — maybe she was still busy, at work... or maybe she had forgotten him altogether. With each passing minute, the silence weighed heavier on him as his heart sank a little more. He said goodbye to the crew, headed for the gate, filed the flight report, and made his way through airport security — hoping, somehow, for a sign. He had done this routine hundreds of times before, and every single time, he knew exactly what to expect — lining up with the other pilots and flight attendants for customs and immigration, handing over his passport, exchanging a few tired pleasantries with the security agent, then walking out alongside the passengers into the arrivals hall. Usually, he felt just a faint tug in his chest as he watched families and couples reunite — something distant, easy to brush off — but this time, it hit differently as a wave of loneliness crashed over him, so sharp and heavy it nearly knocked the breath from his lungs. The buzzing chatter of the airport faded beneath the weight of his own thoughts, the hollowness creeping in fast, but he didn't want to dwell on it, not here, not now. So, he walked faster, almost pushing through the crowd — until he came to a sudden stop, gasping softly, his breath caught in his throat. There, standing in the middle of the arrivals hall, was Donna — her magnificent red hair cascading over her shoulder, that breathtaking smile playing on her lips, a coat draped over her arm, a coffee in hand — and those same doe eyes he couldn't get out of his head. She was here, waiting for him, and for a second, Harvey felt like he could drop to his knees, the sheer relief of seeing her. If he'd followed his instincts, he would've run straight into her arms and never let go, but instead, Harvey approached slowly, every step filled with a mix of excitement and tenderness, his eyes never leaving hers as he murmured.
«Hey»
«Hey»
«You came»
«Of course I did»
«And I'm happy you did» whispered Harvey.
«Me too» smiled Donna.
«What now?»
As he bit his lip slightly, watching her with that same intensity that had haunted him since the flight, he saw it — the exact same pull mirrored in her eyes. They were just inches apart now, and the buzz between them was unmistakable, like static electricity dancing in the air, impossible to ignore. As they stood there, facing each other, not really knowing what to say or do, neither of them had a plan, no certainty, no clear idea of what the future might hold, but at that moment, it didn't matter. Because despite the unknown, despite all the unanswered questions, there was something in the way they looked at each other — something real, something worth exploring. And while nothing was defined yet, they both knew one thing: they couldn't wait to find out what came next… together.
Two years later...
As Donna sat at the gate, checking the time on her phone and impatiently waiting to board, she couldn't help but smile when she finally heard the automatic announcement, signaling the end of the long wait.
«Delta Airlines flight DL264 to Paris Charles de Gaulle is now boarding at gate B26. We ask that passengers begin boarding according to their zone numbers as indicated on your boarding pass. Please have your passport and boarding pass ready. Thank you for flying with Delta»
As soon as the announcement ended, Donna stood up, grabbed her bags, and headed toward the boarding desk. Though she used to travel in economics class — well, confort economic class — after experiencing the luxurious first-class service two years ago, she'd decided she'd never go back. So with only two small bags in hand, she approached the attendant, who greeted her with a smile.
«Boarding passes and passports, please»
«Here»
«Thank you... Alright, there you are — have a nice flight»
«Thanks»
After a final smile, she tucked her documents into her large tote bag and made her way toward the plane, her checked luggage already taken care of, as she waited impatiently as passengers slowly filed in. A few moments later, as soon as her foot hit the plane, she heard the flight attendants greeting passengers ahead of her, smiling at them.
«Hi»
«Hello, welcome on board»
Just as she returned the smile, her heart skipped a beat when she saw him — standing just behind the two other women, leaning against the cockpit wall with his beautiful face and his arrogant smile. God, even though it had been two years since she'd first met him, he still looked just as handsome — his hair was just a little shorter, styled with gel, his shirt clinging even more to his bulging biceps, but those brown eyes still made her melt, his soft yet arrogant smile still gave her butterflies, and the way he looked at her made her heart race just like the first time. As she approached him, he smiled at her and whispered in a flirty tone,
«Hello, mysterious redhead»
«Captain — where is Mike?»
«In the cockpit already — may I?»
«Sure, yeah»
After a quick exchange, Donna made her way toward first class, not wanting to block the other passengers behind her as she settled comfortably into her seat. Though she'd flown many times since that life-changing flight two years ago, every time she boarded a plane, her heart would race as she remembered that unforgettable eight-hour journey. As she reminisced about that flight with nostalgia and love, she was quickly snapped out of her thoughts by the voice of the flight attendants.
«Boarding complete»
As everyone settled into their seats and the attendants began their final checks, Donna smiled when she heard Harvey's teasing voice fill the plane for the pre-flight announcement.
«Ladies and gentlemen, this is Captain Harvey Specter, and alongside me is Mike Ross, your co-pilot for this flight to the City of Lights — Paris. We're finalizing preparations and should be in the air in just a few minutes. We'd also like to take this opportunity to introduce our new recruit today — please meet First Officer Aida Specter. Would you like to say something to the passengers, miss?»
Barely done, Donna chuckled at Harvey's little speech as her heart melted when she heard the baby babbling echoing through the plane.
«Bah bah bah bah bah…»
Facing the cute sounds, the whole plane laughed, realizing it was a baby, and if everyone was chuckling at Harvey's little joke, Donna felt tears welling up in her eyes, so moved by the sight. After taking a deep breath, she couldn't help but snorted when she heard the rest of the announcement.
«Well, if I translate, she just asked for your patience. It's her first flight, and if you're not satisfied, you'll have to refer to her superior — who is, of course, her father — so, be careful what you say next. Anyway, the flight will last approximately seven hours and fifteen minutes, as the weather's calm along the route, and we're expecting a smooth ride. Please remember, the crew is here to assist you with any questions. Mike, the team, myself, and Aida too wish you a pleasant flight — especially to the beautiful mother of this baby in row six. We thank you for choosing to fly with us, and we'll see you soon in Paris!»
Barely had the sound of the microphone clicking off when Donna couldn't help but smile while her heart swelled with love as she remembered how much had changed over the last two years. Back then, as Donna knew Harvey was returning from Europe that afternoon, she had spent nearly two days thinking about what she should do and how to organize the perfect moment — after all, they had only had two hours to talk in a cockpit, and they didn't really know each other. But throughout the conversation, she had realized that because of his past, Harvey struggled to believe that someone could love him, care about him, and just be there for him. Sure, he loved his job, and maybe flying was his way of not getting attached, but in his words, Donna understood that it was something he wanted but didn't dare hope for — someone to wait for him, someone to just be there for him without ulterior motives. So, after spending hours thinking of the best restaurant or bar that would suit both their lifestyles, she decided to do something bolder and more personal — meet him directly at the airport. She knew his flight, where it was coming from, and what time it landed, but with no idea of when he would leave the airport, she waited for nearly two hours in the arrivals hall, watching families and couples reunite and then leave, hoping to see Harvey walk through the sliding doors. After what felt like an eternity, just as she recognized the Delta flight attendants exiting, her heart skipped a beat when she saw him walking toward her. Harvey hadn't spotted her yet, and as two days earlier, she had spent her entire flight watching him, seeing him now in his suit jacket and pilot's cap, she could have melted, but it wasn't until their eyes met that she felt a rush of emotion. When he noticed her, she could see a series of emotions flicker across his face, most notably relief... and maybe love? Anyway, as he slowly approached, she couldn't help but smile broadly when he whispered.
«Hey»
«Hey»
«You came»
«Of course I did»
«And I'm happy you did» whispered Harvey.
«Me too» smiled Donna.
«What about now?»
For a few seconds, neither of them said anything — just standing there, soaking in the moment, the weight of their feelings hanging between them. Donna could see the eagerness in his eyes, mirrored in her own, and then Harvey leaned in slowly, planting a tender kiss on her cheek that made her blush instantly. Donna had spent days preparing a list of chic restaurants and trendy bars for the evening, but in the end, they went back to her SoHo apartment — where hours passed under the sheets, the world outside fading into insignificance. In the cockpit, they had taken time to get to know each other as people, but that night… well, that night, they got to know each other in a completely different way, and once again, it was a perfect match. Then, things moved quickly between them — love at first sight, the kind of passionate, all-consuming love that makes the rest of the world fall away. Donna had had exes before, relationships that had lasted, fizzled, or simply faded — but nothing compared to this, nothing had ever been this intense, this alive. For Harvey, it was even more explosive as a man who had never truly known what it was to be in love — not like this — suddenly understood what Mike had always tried to explain: love brings you a kind of happiness that's so pure and intense. Their relationship was definitely meant to last — and deep down, they both knew it as they were building something real, but that didn't mean it was always easy. Their schedules were precise, down to the second and between Harvey's nonstop international flights and Donna's mix of New York commitments and a few international performances, arranging time together was an ongoing challenge, but they made it work. As soon as Harvey landed in New York and Donna was in town, she would wait for him at the arrivals hall — no matter the time of day or night — stealing whatever hours they could before duty called them apart again. And when she had to work abroad, Harvey made it a point to fly wherever she was, squeezing in a night or two before taking off once more. It wasn't perfect — but it was theirs, and it was worth everything. Then, as they were getting ready to celebrate their one-year anniversary, Donna found herself once again in the arrivals hall, but this time, her eyes were glassy, and an adorable smile played on her lips.
«Hey, beautiful»
«Hey»
«You alright?»
«Yeah, yeah — just a bit tired»
«Let's go home, then»
They had moved in together after barely three months of dating. Harvey no longer crashed on Mike and Rachel's couch but came home to his place — the one he shared with his girlfriend, the woman he was absolutely crazy about. So as they both climbed into the car and drove back to their apartment, Harvey knew exactly how the night would go — they'd share a warm shower, and Donna, always attentive, would sit on his back and massage his shoulders, easing the tension he carried from long-haul flights. Just as predicted, a few hours later, the redhead was sitting on his ass, warming oil between her palms before diving her fingers into her boyfriend's shoulders.
«Can you believe… one year together?»
«Crazy, huh?» chuckled Donna.
«God, I'm so excited to spend eternity with you»
Overwhelmed by the sincerity in his voice, Donna leaned in and pressed a soft kiss just behind his ear, her nose sliding into his dirty blonde locks while whispering gently into his hair.
«Me too»
The next morning, when she woke up alone in bed, Donna was surprised not to find Harvey beside her, and curious, she padded into the living room — and gasped. Roses were scattered across the floor, luxury shopping bags lay artfully around the room, and a five-star breakfast was elegantly spread across the table, but what truly stole her breath was the sight of Harvey, dressed in a crisp white shirt and black suit trousers, turning around just as she entered. The moment he saw her, he moved quickly — and dropped to one knee, and even though she was still in her pajamas, her hair a little tousled from sleep, he looked at her like she was the most beautiful woman in the world. Because to him, she was, and he couldn't wait another second, as he'd chosen their one-year anniversary to propose. She said yes through tears and laughter, her heart full, and that night, she gave him a gift in return — one that would change everything. A baby. Their baby.
«You're pregnant?»
«I'm pregnant, yeah»
Harvey had never cried like that before — overwhelmed, euphoric, unable to stop kissing her, thanking her as it was the beginning of their real forever. Back in the present day, as Donna was sitting in her seat, she watched Harvey walking toward her, still in his pilot uniform, their eight-month-old daughter perched happily on his hip as they were both wearing the same mischievous smile, and Donna's heart swelled with so much love she thought it might burst. Seeing her, their daughter cooed excitedly, reaching out her little arms toward her mother, making both parents laugh.
«Hey my baby, you're the star of this flight, huh?» smiled Donna.
«Mama» chirped Aida happily.
«Yeah, come on. We should let Daddy work. Say bye-bye Daddy, see you later»
Now nestled against Donna's chest, Aida gave a tiny, wobbly wave as Harvey leaned down to press a flurry of soft kisses across her cheeks, then brushed a tender one over Donna's lips until she whispered against his mouth.
«Have a nice flight»
«You too — and as soon as we're in the air, I'm kicking Mike out and getting you two comfy up front»
«You know we can survive a few hours apart, right?»
«Maybe you can. I can't — and let's be honest, you're better company than Mike anyway»
At his usual charm, Donna chuckled softly as they kissed once more, then Harvey turned and headed for the cockpit while Donna settled into her first-class seat, Aida warm and snug against her. She would never forget the day she told Harvey she was pregnant — the way his eyes had filled with tears, how tightly he held her, whispering thank you over and over again. Then, a quiet wedding with only Mike and Rachel — who had since become one of Donna's closest friends — followed shortly after, and from that moment, they became a family of three: happy, in love, and deeply fulfilled. But magic doesn't cancel out reality. Balancing their relationship alongside two demanding careers on separate continents had already been a delicate dance but adding a baby into the mix brought its own chaos. Without hesitation, Donna made the decision to stop performing abroad, grounding herself in New York and pouring her heart into motherhood, as, to her surprise, it fulfilled her in a way even the stage never had. For Harvey, the shift was more complicated — he continued flying international routes, gone for days at a time — until he had nearly missed Aida's birth, sprinting through the hospital in full uniform, badge swinging, fear in his eyes. That day changed him as he started to question everything — not just his schedule, but what it meant to be present, to belong, to come home… not to a place, but to someone. At that time, he hadn't found the words to talk about it to his wife, not yet, until the quiet moment in Vienna. As he had just stepped into his hotel room, polished and quiet, his phone buzzed, and while Donna's face lit up the screen, her hair a little messy, Aida was squirming excitedly in her arms.
«Hey» he said, instantly lighter.
«Hey, honey. How are you doing? All settled in?»
«Yeah. Just got to the hotel — it's fancy. What about you two?»
«Well, we just got back from daycare. Someone had an amazing day. Today's menu was carrot purée, and she devoured it, right baby?»
As Harvey chuckled while Donna kissed the top of their daughter's head, Harvey thought he couldn't be happier, but the next moment stopped both their hearts. After a few seconds, Aida looked at the screen, smiling at him and showing her two small bottom teeth, before she pointed directly at Harvey's face and squealed, clear as a bell.
«Dada!»
Silence. In a second, Donna's mouth fell open, her eyes brimming as Harvey's breath hitched while Aida turned toward her mom, almost shy, like she was asking, Did I do it right? Then, softly — shakily — Harvey whispered.
«I'm done»
«What?» blinked Donna, still holding back tears.
«I can't fly international anymore, Donna. I can't be away from you and her for this long. I mean… I almost missed her first word»
«But honey, you love flying and —»
«But I love you both even more»
After nearly a decade of flying across the world — in some ways, running from the pain and disappointments he'd once called home — Harvey was finally ready to stop. Ready to come home, for real, as it wasn't a place anymore but the two redheads who waited for him, who loved him, and who made him feel whole. The decision came swiftly but deeply — like an overdue breath held for far too long. As soon as he returned from Hungary, Harvey walked into his supervisor's office and asked to change his schedule. No more long-haul flights. He gave up the international routes that had once taken him to Paris, Tokyo, and Johannesburg — in exchange, he asked for domestic runs — Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas — anywhere that would get him home by nightfall.
«Ladies and gentlemen, we've reached our cruising altitude. The flight is proceeding smoothly toward Paris, where our estimated arrival time is 10:25 AM local time. The weather on arrival is clear, with a temperature of around 13 degrees Celsius. We wish you a pleasant flight and remain at your disposal for any requests»
As Mike's voice echoed gently through the cabin, Donna smiled to herself, already picturing what was coming next — Harvey jumping over his seat to joint them — and sure enough, just as the seatbelt sign turned off and passengers began to relax, the cockpit door cracked open. There he was — her husband — peeking out with that familiar glint in his eyes and giving her a quick wave. Without hesitation, Donna rose from her seat, carefully lifting Aida in her arms, and made her way toward the front. As she entered the cockpit, Mike gave her a quick grin and a warm side hug before stepping out, fully aware of what this moment meant — and happy to give it to them.
«Aren't you scared she'll start pressing all the buttons, Harv?» whispered Donna playfully.
«She won't — come on»
«Dada!» squealed Aida, stretching her little arms toward him.
«Yeah, my baby — come here»
He took her gently, cradling her like something sacred as Donna sat beside them on the jump seat. The three of them nestled in that small, humming space — the world thousands of feet below, yet somehow more grounded than ever. As Aida gurgled happily in her father's lap, Donna smiled, watching their daughter's fingers brush curiously over the dashboard — her eyes wide with wonder but, miraculously, not reaching for any critical buttons.
«See? Future pilot»
«God help us» laughed Donna softly, her heart full.
For a moment, Harvey held her close, settling her securely against his chest — one hand instinctively rubbing slow circles on her back, the other gently threading through her soft strawberry-blonde hair. In the calm of the cockpit, surrounded by soft beeps and the distant hum of the engines, the once high-flying, emotionally guarded pilot whispered into his daughter's ear, his eyes drifting toward his wife with a gaze that said everything.
«See, this is where Daddy works — but it's also where I fell in love with Mommy. You should've seen her — she was so beautiful, so perfect... still is, by the way — and I was up here, questioning my entire life. I mean, back then, my dream was just to take her to cloud nine» added the pilot with a smirk.
«Nice pun» snorted Donna.
«I know, right? But seriously… for the first time, I realized I could love someone and be loved in return. And look at us now — still madly in love like day one, only now we've got our little princess with us. The personification of our love — God, how can you be so perfect?»
Immediately, he pressed a tender kiss to the top of Aida's head, her tiny body nestled peacefully against his chest, and the cockpit fell into a warm, golden silence as Donna watched them — her husband cradling their daughter with such gentle care — and couldn't stop the soft smile tugging at her lips. When she noticed Aida's eyelids beginning to flutter shut, she leaned in and whispered to Harvey.
«How are you feeling?»
«Good»
«You sure?» asked Donna softly, her hand brushing against his arm.
Harvey nodded, but the look in his eyes told a deeper story — one of endings and beginnings, of gratitude and nostalgia. Today marked Harvey's final international flight — a bittersweet milestone before transitioning to shorter domestic routes so he could spend more time at home. And this destination… it hadn't been chosen at random. Donna had walked down the aisle with a small baby bump beneath her wedding dress, and between Harvey's demanding flight schedule, her own career, and the arrival of Aida, they'd never had a proper honeymoon. So when Harvey submitted his new contract, he also requested fifteen days off — and surprised his wife with a trip to Paris, as he would be flying the plane himself. It was just the three of them — a delayed celebration of love, life, and everything they'd built together. Now, with only the soft light of the sky spilling through the cockpit windows, Donna watched her husband deep in thought, and then, in that calm, vulnerable space, he spoke quietly.
«You know… being a pilot was always my escape. I never got attached. I'd vanish the moment I could, and people forgot about me the second I stepped off a plane in another country. Nothing and no one expected anything from me. And that… that lack of attachment made me feel free — like I didn't owe anyone anything, like I didn't have to explain myself. That kind of freedom convinced me I was happy. For a long time, I thought that was what I needed to feel whole — being up in the sky and alone, but never, not once, did I imagine that true happiness would be waiting for me on the ground. For almost a decade, being a pilot gave me purpose. It made me feel like more than just the disappointment of a son or the screw-up of a brother, but being your husband… being her dad… that's the role I love the most. That's what makes me truly happy. So yeah, a chapter's ending, and maybe I'll never feel that exact sense of weightless freedom again, but what's waiting for me instead? It's better. It's the ultimate joy of coming home and seeing the two of you — and maybe, who knows, a few more little ones someday — waiting for me. That's what I want and I can't wait for»
Seeing the sincerity in his eyes, the love radiating from him so effortlessly, Donna couldn't help herself. She leaned in, capturing his lips in a deep kiss — one full of love, respect, and tenderness — while their little girl slept soundly between them. As they broke the kiss, she whispered against his lips, her voice soft and full of emotion.
«I love you, Harvey»
His response was immediate, his voice filled with all the depth of his feelings, as he whispered in turn.
«I love you too, Donna. More than anything in this world»
Two years ago, that flight from London to New York had been nothing more than a routine journey — just another connection between two cities, two places, with no expectation beyond reaching the destination as neither Harvey nor Donna could have possibly imagined the path that lay ahead. For the pilot, it had been just another long flight, his life defined by the endless cycle of departures and arrivals, never truly feeling rooted anywhere. And Donna had always lived with the rhythm of the stage, her career pulling her from city to city, never staying in one place for too long. But on that flight, what began as a brief encounter — one that neither had expected to last — had turned into something neither could ever have predicted: a love so deep, so life-changing, that it reshaped their futures completely. Now, two years later, as they sat side by side with the love of their lives in the pilot's arms, they both knew that nothing in their lives would ever be the same. What had started as a fleeting moment in time, a passing connection between two strangers on a plane, had transformed into a lifetime of shared moments, love, and memories. On that flight from London, the idea of their lives turning out this way had seemed unimaginable, but sometimes, the most unexpected connections lead to the most extraordinary journeys.
And this one — beginning high in the sky — had become their forever.
