Chapter Text
i.
“I didn’t think we were going to get out of family dinner alive last night,” Harvey said as he found them a seat near the gate for their flight to Bermuda.
“Between Hailey and Rachel, I am not sure who was writing the most romantic fanfiction for our trip,” Donna smiled as she leaned against his shoulder and yawned.
“Fanfiction?” he looked puzzled.
“You’re not ready yet,” she patted his shoulder fondly.
Family dinner had been fun, and they were both fine with a little attention on the crazy romantic trip they were about to take, and it clearly got to them as the couple got home and could not get enough of each other.
“I’m sorry you didn’t get more sleep last night,” Harvey said although he did not sound particularly sorry.
“It’s fine, we can nap on the plane and by the pool later,” she kissed his cheek and then they heard a timid.
“Donna?” and looked up to see Missy’s parents in front of them.
“Mrs. Sullivan,” Donna stood with Harvey right behind her, “it’s great to meet you in person.”
“Please, I’m Martha and this is my husband Tom,” Missy’s mom introduced them.
“This is my boyfriend, Harvey,” Donna indicated, and Harvey greeted them and shook hands.
They had picked a 4-seat area in the corner to wait for the flight, so the Sullivans joined them.
“I can’t believe how excited I am,” Martha said as she sat next to Donna.
“It is very exciting. I spoke to Sam last night and they got in fine yesterday and met with the wedding planner and everything is perfect, weather looks great,” Donna beamed.
“We didn’t know how to feel about a destination wedding at first,” Tom said, “all of our other kids got married at the summer house on the Cape, but Missy and Sam really wanted this and honestly, it is a lot less work.”
Donna grinned, the couple seemed so nice and happy for the brides.
“Anyone want coffee?” Harvey asked and pointed at Starbucks across the way.
“That would be great,” Donna smiled up at him.
“Your usual or your weekend special?” he smirked at her.
“I am on vacation,” she batted her eyelashes.
“One caramel mocha swirl ice thing with whipped cream coming up,” he saluted, and she rolled her eyes at him as he knew her order but liked to make it up when he said it.
“I’ll go with you, Harvey, my wife’s order is just as complicated,” Tom commiserated.
“Donna, Missy told me how helpful you’ve been with the wedding, and I know Sam doesn’t have the brothers and sisters that Missy does, so it just means so much to all of us that you are here for Samantha. She’s been part of our family for years now, but I am sure she is happy to have you standing up there with her.”
“It’s really been my pleasure. I love Sam and Missy; it has been no trouble at all.”
“Harvey’s a good-looking fella,” the older woman grins.
“He is,” Donna laughed, “we’ve been dating a couple months now.”
It just so happened that it was 2 months ago yesterday that they met at the library for the first time.
“You two looked very happy, I noticed it when we were walking over, how content you looked together.”
“Thank you, we really are and now we are off on a fun romantic trip to the most beautiful place,” Donna’s eyes were wide with excitement.
“That’s right, you said you’ve been to Bermuda before,” Martha patted her knee.
“Twice, both times with my mom, when I graduated from college and again after library school. It is just wonderful, you’ll love it.”
Harvey and Tom returned with coffee and the foursome discussed all the things they wanted to do and see in Bermuda.
“Where are you sitting on the plane?” Donna asked.
“Row 15,” Martha replied.
“We’re in row 12, we’ll wait for you when we get off and we can head to baggage claim together. The airport is very small, so don’t worry, we can’t lose each other,” Donna said as they announced boarding was imminent and people started to gather their things.
Harvey cleaned up their coffee cups and grabbed his carry on as Donna had hers on her shoulder.
Boarding was slow but fine and Harvey settled into the window seat with Donna in the middle. A young woman sat on the aisle and smiled at them but then put her air pods in and left them alone.
The pilot and the cabin crew did their intros, and everyone sounded very happy to be heading to Bermuda. The plane had a real island vibe to it and the crew was thrilled to be flying happy passengers to paradise.
Once they were safely up in the air, Harvey raised the arm rest and encouraged Donna to curl into him and rest. She had a book and a knitting project in her carry on, but she was happy to just talk to Harvey. They got a drink and a snack when the flight attendants came around and Donna told him about some of the local food in Bermuda.
“Tons of seafood as you would expect from an island and great fruit and vegetables. Local fish is called wahoo, it is a white fish, flaky and delicious.”
“I read about some kind of fish chowder,” Harvey mentioned and just like their last trip, Donna loved how Harvey had done some research.
“Yes, so good it is a dark roux with rum and cherry pepper vinegar, spicy and rich. We should have dinner in town Monday after our snorkel thing so you can have real local chowder.”
“Did Jessica call you?” Harvey changed the subject; he had wanted to ask last night but family dinner was so frantic and then they were way too busy in bed to discuss his boss.
“Yes, I meant to tell you. We are having lunch next Thursday.”
“To be a fly on that wall,” Harvey said with a smirk.
“It’ll be fine. Right? It will be fine?” Donna was worried now.
“It will. Jessica is intimidating, but she has no reason to intimidate you. She is happy for me, and I think she just wants to get to know you,” he shrugged.
“Speaking of, now that I have you trapped in a tin can 30,000 feet in the air…” Donna trailed off and Harvey looked at her funny.
“Yes?”
“You have to meet my parents,” Donna said cautiously.
“Oh,” Harvey looked relieved.
“If we’re going to move in together…”
“What do you mean if?” he narrowed his eyes.
“Since we are moving in together, better?” she asked, and he smiled. “It would be good for you all to have met.”
“Of course, whenever you want.”
“I thought it might be nice to do it when the kids are back from camp and before school, so we could do a meet and greet with all the Specters.”
“Sure. I think using the kids as an adorable human shield is a very good idea.”
“I want my parents to know that we are not just acting spontaneously in some silly love bubble…”
“Aren’t we though?” he leaned down to kiss her and she smiled into the kiss.
“OK, we are,” she kissed him once more because she felt like it, “but we are more than that. We are integrating into each other’s lives, and I want my parents to know that.”
“After Mark,” he noted, and she nodded.
“Yeah, some of the time I think they thought I made him up or was embarrassed by him. The odds of him just never being available when they came to town were stretched pretty thin after 6 years.”
“I am happy to meet them. I am told I have decent social skills. I am sure it will be fine,” he promised her.
“OK, great, I will talk to my mom when we get home. Now on to paradise.”
ii.
Paradise began to appear as they descended into Bermuda. The plane got low enough for Harvey and Donna to see the island and the gorgeous water around it.
“It’s your favorite color,” he looked back at her with a smile, and she nodded so happy he made the connection so easily.
The landing was smooth and since the airport was so small there was no wait to get to a gate. The Sullivans caught up to them and the foursome headed through customs to baggage claim.
Donna and Harvey had packed together. Unlike Maine where they had his luggage and hers. Over the course of the week, Donna moved a bunch of clothes to Harvey’s place, and they packed 2 suitcases, one with casual clothes and toiletries and such and one with their fancier clothes for dinners and the wedding.
Donna’s dress for the wedding was in a garment bag inside the suitcase and though it was not their wedding, she still didn’t want Harvey to see it until the day. She had a couple other things secreted away too.
When everyone had their bags, they made their way to the cab stand. As Donna remembered, most of the cabs in the queue were minivans with plenty of room for all of them and their luggage. Harvey helped the driver stow all the bags and climbed into the back with Donna giving the Sullivans slightly easier access to the middle seats.
Donna texted Sam and Missy and told them they were heading their way and then stowed her phone for the ride.
Their driver was named Gus, and he narrated the whole ride from the airport to the Hamilton Princess. He told them when to look right and when to look left as they navigated the narrow roads of the small island.
He explained the white limestone roofs and how locals collected rainwater and went over all the local flora and fauna. He assured them there were no scary bugs, snakes or spiders in beautiful subtropical Bermuda.
As they got into Hamilton there were shops and restaurants on one side of the street and Hamilton harbor on the other, boats of all shapes and sizes coming and going.
“That’s my local indie,” Donna pointed at a bookstore as they passed it.
“Of course you have a local bookstore in Bermuda,” Harvey teased.
“Did you expect any different?” she teased back, and he just shook his head.
“The hotel is right down here on the left,” the driver said as they turned into a big circular driveway and parked under a portico.
A bellman came out and unloaded the luggage, Mrs. Sullivan showing him whose was whose as Harvey paid the driver and gave him a generous tip for the amount of luggage and the great island tour.
Donna and Mrs. Sullivan got in line at the desk and Martha went first. Their room was ready, and the desk clerk gave her all the details of the resort, and a folder Sam & Missy had put together about the wedding itself.
“This is so exciting,” she smiled at Donna. “Will we see you down at the pool?”
“Yes, we will be right down.”
“Thank you both, for taking care of us,” Martha patted Harvey’s arm after Tom had tried to pay him for the cab ride.
“Our pleasure,” he smiled.
“They are adorable,” Donna said as the desk clerk called them up.
Donna slid her passport and credit card across the counter and the man at the computer beamed when he typed in her name.
“Ms. Wheeler and Ms. Sullivan have upgraded you to a suite,” he said.
“Oh, they didn’t need to do that,” Donna rolled her eyes at her silly friends.
“Well, they did and it is lovely,” the man grinned at her. “And it is ready for you, so let me make up some keys.”
“I’m sure this is their way of thanking you for all your help,” Harvey bumped her shoulder.
“I know, but they didn’t need to,” she fluttered her hands.
“Here we are, your keys, a resort map and the wedding packet,” the man returned with everything organized.
“Thank you,” Donna smiled.
“Have you been here before?” he asked.
“I have, a while ago, before COVID,” she clarified.
“We have added a few new things since then, I am sure you will notice, but the basic footprint is the same. Your suite is in the Poinciana Wing, which is down that way,” he pointed through a large shopping area of the hotel, “it is very convenient to the pool. If you wish to make any reservations for dinner or the spa, just give us a call.”
“Thanks, so much,” Donna smiled and took all the stuff, and the bellman led them through the hotel to their suite.
“That’s new,” Donna pointed to a little coffee shop.
“Just opened last year,” the bellman said, “they have sandwiches and salads and stuff you could take to the beach. They’ll do a picnic basket if you wanted to go to Horseshoe Bay or something.”
“That’s great,” Donna nodded.
“They also have very good almond croissants, but don’t tell my wife,” the bellman laughed.
“Your secret is safe with me,” Donna beamed as she reached out and took Harvey’s hand.
The room was stunning, a sleek living room with a big balcony that spanned all the way to the bedroom, which was spacious and contained a very large very comfortable-looking bed in all white.
“Another lovely vacation bed,” Donna grinned at him.
The bellman placed their suitcases on a sideboard and Harvey thanked him and tipped him while Donna continued to explore.
“Oh yeah, this will do,” she said as she emerged from the bathroom.
Harvey poked his head into the bathroom and already had a dozen dirty thoughts as he took in the huge stone soaking tub and the large glass shower, so when he found Donna unpacking and dragged her to the bed, he was already halfway there.
“Harvey,” kiss, “we have to” kiss, “go meet” kiss “everyone” kiss “at the” moan, sigh, kiss “pool.”
Harvey had her shirt off and his hands sneaking around to undo her bra as she tried to argue their need to be punctual.
“This is not like, oh God that feels good, Maine,” she arched into his touch as he tweaked a newly bared nipple with the rough pad of his thumb.
“No, this is paradise,” he murmured against her stomach as he slid off the bed and pulled her to the edge to get her pants off and his mouth exactly where he wanted it.
“We are not alone,” she purred as he nibbled just perfectly on the inside of her thigh.
“We’re not?” he joked and poked his head up to look around.
“On the trip,” her voice was breathy, and she was losing her whole point, “we are not alone on the trip, people are expecting us at the pool.”
“We have to take all of our clothes off to put on our bathing suits,” Harvey noted.
“Uh huh,” she laughed.
“I’m just helping you,” he moved his mouth exactly where he knew she would no longer be able to argue.
“Oh fuck, Harvey,” her hands landed on top of his head and held him there and just as she was about to snap, he pulled back.
“You’re right, people are waiting for us…”
“Specter,” she growled, and he looked up to see her half sitting up, naked and flushed and rumpled and went right back to what he was doing.
iii.
A very efficient 45 minutes later they were strolling across the garden to the pool.
“This place is amazing,” Harvey looked at the lush landscaping and the stunning infinity pool in front of them.
“They said they would be right down,” Martha looked at her watch with a frown. “Oh, there they are,” she waved, and Donna waved back.
“They must have decided to unpack first,” Tom noted, and Sam and Missy grinned.
“Yeah, Dad they were definitely unpacking,” Missy said as they took in the very relaxed couple heading their way.
“You made it, finally,” Samantha stood up with a smile and a twinkle in her eye and hugged Donna.
“We did,” Harvey said as he leaned down and kissed Missy on the cheek, “congratulations!”
“We just ordered drinks, the woman will be right back, they have amazing cocktails,” Martha handed Donna a menu as Harvey took his turn greeting Samantha.
“We put you in the middle,” Missy sat up and showed them the row of loungers they had guarded. There were two for Sam and Missy, a table, two for Harvey and Donna, a table and then the Sullivans.
Harvey went to work grabbing towels and setting them up. Donna sat facing the brides and gave them a piercing look.
“You didn’t need to do that,” she said, and they knew what she meant.
“They gave us 2 upgrades with the package, one for us and one to give away. When they described the room and how romantic it was, we knew it had to be for you,” Sam said.
“We didn’t pay extra for it, we just chose you. It would’ve been wasted on them,” Missy pointed over to her parents who were bickering about something.
“Well, thank you, it is beautiful.”
“And romantic, right? Took you almost an hour to get down here,” Sam winked.
“That was relatively quick for us,” Donna didn’t try to deny the innuendo.
The waitress came by with the Sullivans’ drinks and greeted Harvey and Donna.
“Can I get you something?” she smiled.
“I’ll have a rum swizzle, please,” Donna smiled back, and she nodded and looked at Harvey.
“Oh, when in Bermuda, make that 2,” he grinned.
“Coming right up,” she headed out and they watched the servers moving around the large pool area and trekking up to the restaurant to get the food and drinks, it looked like hard work.
“That’s where we are eating tonight,” Donna pointed to the restaurant hanging over the harbor with big wide-open windows on all sides.
“I will honestly do anything and go anywhere you want. I feel like my blood pressure has dropped fifty points since we got here,” Harvey leaned back in the lounger with a blissed out look on his face.
“That was the arrival sex,” Sam said, and Harvey turned and lowered his sunglasses.
“They guessed, I didn’t tell them,” Donna looked innocent as she pulled her cover up off to reveal a bubble gum pink bathing suit that was technically one piece but left a large portion of her left side bare as it wrapped around her.
“Hard to tell how we guessed when you keep looking at her like that,” Missy cackled as Harvey went a bit slack jawed at the bathing suit.
“I still have a few surprises in the suitcase,” she winked at him.
They all ordered lunch and swam in the pool and around 4:00 the Sullivans went back to their room, agreeing to meet again at 7:45 for dinner at 8:00.
“OK, my parents love you two,” Missy giggled as her 3rd Rum Swizzle started taking affect.
“They are lovely,” Donna assured her it was no trouble to escort them to the resort.
“I appreciate it, they are getting older and raising all us kids did not leave them much time to travel, I worry,” Missy reached over and held Donna’s hand.
“My job is to alleviate your worries, so you are welcome. I like your all-white bathing suit and coverup look you two, very bridal,” Donna laughed at the women who had clearly coordinated their pool outfits.
“Note, she did not say virginal,” Sam pointed out.
“I think that ship has sailed,” Missy cackled, and the three women toasted.
Harvey just lounged and listened to them chatting and before he knew it, he had drifted off to sleep.
Donna noticed he was asleep and pointed, the other two making adorable faces at him.
“I kept him up pretty late last night,” Donna admitted.
“So, are you already living together?” Sam asked as she sipped her drink.
“For the most part. I moved all my clothes over this week, there is still a lot to sort out at my place, but we stay in the condo most of the time. I have to stop calling it Harvey’s place, he keeps correcting me,” she grinned.
“It’s so exciting,” Missy bounced in her lounger.
“It is. He went all Professor Specter on me with the reasons it made sense for us to move in, and he had solid arguments aside from getting to wake up together every morning,” Donna blushed.
“Hey, if he tried that hard to put you at ease, it’s about more than the sex,” Sam said seriously.
“I know it is,” Donna nodded. “I brought up meeting my parents and he didn’t even flinch.”
“Clara will love him, and Jim will worry that he is too handsome,” Sam reported.
“Exactly, handsome and elitist,” Donna clarified.
“That’s when you say, ‘daddy, it’s true Harvey only likes the very best things, that’s why he picked me’,” Missy did her best Donna impression, and they all laughed.
“I haven’t called my father daddy since I was eight,” Donna giggled.
“We can’t wait to come over and see your new home,” Sam said.
“Yeah, we were thinking of maybe a Labor Day weekend thing, drinks or something,” Donna shrugged.
The women kept chatting until Harvey stirred, shocked he had fallen asleep. He stretched and not-so-subtly rolled onto Donna’s chair and wrapped his arms around her.
“You are awake,” she ran her fingers through his messy hair, she really liked vacation Harvey.
“Mmmmm,” he murmured into her bare left side.
“Sort of awake,” she corrected.
“Yikes, it is after 6:00, we need to get ready for dinner,” Sam hopped up.
“See you there,” Donna waved as the pair left them alone.
“Alone at last,” Harvey rearranged them, so Donna was draped over him.
“There’s easily 30 people here with us,” she chuckled.
“Then I think we best head back to that gorgeous room, because that bathing suit is doing things to me.”
“Harvey, everything I wear does things to you,” she pointed out.
“You know what? You’re right. I guess it is just you then who does things to me,” he slid his hand dangerously low on her back.
“We are in public,” she kissed him softly and then stood up.
Donna and Harvey were not late to dinner, but Donna did not have time to properly dry her hair so it was wild and wavy and it definitely did things to Harvey.
iv.
Friday morning dawned bright and sunny. Donna woke alone to the rattle of dishes. She turned and could see the outline of her boyfriend on the balcony. She stretched and looked at the clock, it was just after 8:00 am.
Donna was curious about what Harvey was up to, she assumed it was breakfast, and she wanted to get up and investigate, but she also knew he would want to wake her up and surprise her, so she stayed put and soon the slider in the living room was opening and closing and she could hear him.
He moved across the plush carpet of the bedroom almost soundlessly and she felt the bed dip as he kneeled on his side and leaned towards her.
“Morning,” he said quietly and leaned down to kiss her forehead.
She let her eyes flutter open and the look on his face was hysterical.
“You were already awake,” he pouted.
“I was, but I waited patiently for you to surprise me.”
He kissed her properly then and got back off the bed and opened the gauzy curtain to reveal a full breakfast set up on their balcony.
“Surprise!”
Harvey then went and got her robe from the back of the bathroom door as she slipped out of bed.
“I got a savory thing and a sweet thing and fruit and lots of coffee,” he reported as she tied the robe and kissed him thoroughly tasting the coffee on his tongue.
“Thank you,” she said, “go pour me some coffee, I’ll be right there.”
He left her to go to the bathroom and freshen up a bit. When she was done, she grabbed the wedding packet and joined him on the porch.
The coffee was rich and flavorful and elicited an unprovoked ‘yum’ when she took her first sip.
Harvey had arranged the table so the food was in the middle as he knew she didn’t like her syrup on her eggs, so they ate communally from both plates.
“So, the only thing we have to do today is the rehearsal at the beach club at 6:00pm. We can wear our bathing suits and actually enjoy the beach. The rehearsal is more about the position of the sun and timing for photos etc.”
“OK,” Harvey speared a chunk of pineapple.
“Dinner will be there, they do a big beach barbecue on Friday nights, we have tables reserved,” Donna noted as she tried the omelet which was divine.
“So, that gives us most of the day, what do you feel like doing?” Harvey asked as he cut up the French toast.
“I wouldn’t mind going into town for a bit. I want to get something for Hailey, and you can find something for Josh, but I want to find something sweet for Hailey, she was so excited about us coming here.”
“Hailey is excited when we go to Whole Foods, Donna, but I am more than happy to go buy souvenirs for the niece and nephew.”
“There is a perfumery on the island, and I wouldn’t mind getting a bottle of perfume, they sell it in all the shops,” she was making a mental list.
“And your local indie,” he reminded her, and she smiled and nodded.
They ate their way through all the food and the full pot of coffee, Donna lifting her feet up into Harvey’s lap and enjoying the gorgeous view of the harbor and the salty sea air.
“What time is it?” she asked, and he looked at his phone.
“8:57,” he reported.
“Most of the shops don’t open until 10,” she said casually.
“Oh?” he looked unaffected. “What should we do until then?”
Donna tilted her head towards the sliding door that was between them and the bed they had thoroughly utilized the night before.
“Again?” Harvey feigned annoyance. “If you insist.”
“I really do,” she stood up and leaned over the table towards him, so he had a very clear view of her very naked body under the silk robe.
“You present a couple of compelling arguments,” he looked up at her and started laughing.
“I can be persuasive, when I need to be.”
“Need?”
“Need,” she nodded and bit her bottom lip.
“How could I possibly say no?”
“You were never going to say no,” she pinched his cheek and walked past him into the room.
Harvey covered the plates on the balcony to keep the birds away and followed her in, closing the gauzy curtain. Despite that the room was bright, the beautiful day finding its way in.
Donna untied her robe, and Harvey watched it fall in a puddle at her feet, his body was more than ready but he froze as she stood there in front of him, so perfect and so happy and his.
“How are you mine?” he just looked at her in wonder.
“Same way you’re mine,” she said, and he moved to her then, tucked her hair behind her ears and framed her face with his big hands.
“I can’t believe this is my life,” he said and watched her eyes fill with tears and he kissed her, “don’t cry.”
“I love you,” she tried to blink the tears back and what started as a flirty little morning romp had become weighted with their increasing love for each other.
Donna crawled back into bed and held the covers up for Harvey, who made quick work of his shirt and pajama pants. Once they met in the middle of the bed, their legs entwined, Harvey just pulled her close and held her, his lips on her hair and hers on his heart.
Donna ran her fingertips along his bicep, saw the muscle twitch when she scraped her nail gently, then she moved her hand to his chest and traced down his ribs and along his side to his hip.
Harvey was charting his own course along her back, ghosting along the curve of her ass and then his whole warm hand slid along her thigh, pulling her closer still.
“I want you all the time,” he whispered as she tilted her face up and captured his lips.
“Me too,” she assured him.
Donna shifted their legs so she could feel the hot hard length of him. He moaned and then moved his hand from her ass to her center and just flicked his fingers against her lightly as he kissed her whimpers away.
Donna rolled her hips, trying to get his fingers exactly where she needed them and she felt him smile against her lips. He slid two of them into her and curled them just right and he felt her shudder around him, her head dropping back from their kiss to suck in enough air.
“Oh, yeah,” it was breathy and so sexy he had to thrust against her thigh.
“Please,” she whined, and he rolled her on her back and replaced his fingers with his mouth as his feet pushed all the blankets off the foot of the bed.
When he was certain she had come, he kissed his way up her body and slid into her, filling her before she could catch her breath.
“Mmmmm, god, oh,” she needed a second to adjust and then she moved her hips counter to his, her knees hitching against his sides.
“You feel so good,” he whispered against her neck as every inch of their bodies were touching.
“Look at me,” she asked as her hands found his face and he leaned up enough to look in her eye.
“You’re so beautiful,” he smiled at her sweaty flushed face.
“I’ve never felt like this,” she said softly, and he knew she meant more than just physically, and he nodded.
v.
It was close to 11:00 by the time Harvey and Donna got out of the room and headed for Hamilton. It was fine, they were in no rush and their morning in bed was just as important as shopping.
It was warm and humid and the walk into town was uphill, so they stopped when they got to the top and found a shady spot to sit for a bit and watch the boats. Harvey had his arm draped over Donna’s shoulder, his fingers moving against the skin bared by her tank top.
“When we discussed moving in together, you said we were going to be together forever,” Donna said as she watched the water, her favorite color blue.
“Yeah,” Harvey said cautiously.
“I feel that too,” she reached up to hold the hand on her shoulder, she squeezed it, and he leaned over and kissed her temple.
They made their way to the long row of shops, browsing and stopping to consider different things for the kids.
“What about this for Hailey?” Donna held up a silver chain with a silver flower charm. “It’s an oleander, they are abundant here on the island.”
“It’s beautiful,” he looked at it.
“I want her to have something kind of grown up that she can actually use.”
“You really get kids her age, don’t you?” he asked as they looked for something for Josh.
“I do. Part of it is the work I do and part of it was I was a kind of lonely kid at that age. My family was a mess, and I relied on myself to get through it. I know some of their struggles. Not all of them, of course, but enough to have empathy.”
“The kids at the library are lucky to have you,” he linked their fingers and led her to some pirate themed things that Josh might like.
At the next store Donna found the perfume she was looking for. Instead of spraying you a million times to try the scents they had a cotton ball with some perfume on it in a votive candle holder, so you could sniff at your leisure.
They were all amazing, but Donna narrowed it down to two and then waved Harvey over. She gave him the first and he smelled it and smiled.
“Nice,” he said. It was light and citrusy, very summery.
Then she handed him the second one and she saw his eyes widen and the corners of his mouth tick up. This one was a little darker, muskier and definitely sexier.
“Well?” she asked.
“Both, you are getting both, and this one,” he held up the second one, “you are only ever wearing for me.”
She wasn’t planning on splurging on 2 bottles of perfume for herself, but there was no way she was saying no to that.
After a few shops, they came upon a little place called Brew that did coffee in the morning and beer in the evening. Since it was midday, they had both.
Donna opted for a cold brew and Harvey got a local beer and they split a ham & cheese croissant sitting on the sidewalk watching life go by.
“I heard from Robert Zane this morning while you were getting dressed, he is sweetening the pot. He offered me a Junior Partner title, he said my career path was not typical, but I was too experienced to be an associate. I think he meant I was too old to be an associate, but I’ll take it,” he grinned and sipped his beer.
“That’s great. I could tell he was interested in you that night we had dinner before Rachel’s graduation. He is courting you, that is kind of cute. Does being a Junior Partner mean you have a stake in the firm?” Donna asked curiously.
“No, you don’t buy into actual partnership until you make Senior Partner, but it means an office and likely a secretary, although since I am only going to be there part-time, I am sure I will have a floating temp, but still someone to help.”
“That’s great, Harvey. Seems like a really great way to test out what you want next in your career.”
“It is, but it will make me somewhat beholden to Zane. I like him, I trust him, but his New York partners are not my cup of tea. We’ll see how the new office vibe is in September,” Harvey said.
“Rachel told me she is considering moving over there, she is not married to her current firm,” Donna revealed.
“Robert really wants that, I am sure he will offer her something she can’t refuse, and her name is already on the wall,” Harvey grinned.
“What do you mean?” Donna tilted her head.
“The firm is Rand Kaldor Zane, those are the named partners, every law firm lawyer’s goal is their name on the letter head and quite literally on the wall. So, since Rachel is still a Zane, her name is technically already on the wall.”
“So, if you become a hotshot corporate attorney the firm might someday be Rand Kaldor Zane Specter?”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” he chuckled and finished his beer.
Their last stop was the little bookstore, it was cool and slightly dark inside, the smell of books as wonderful to Donna as all the perfume she had tried earlier.
There was a cat curled on a windowsill that looked up and then went right back to napping. The sales clerk gave a soft hello and it was like an oasis to the bright hot bustling street they were just on.
Donna went to the staff picks table, always her first stop in a bookstore, as Harvey looked at the local books collection and instantly found a Bermudian cookbook for Marcus and Katie.
“Don, for Marcus and Katie?” he held it up and she smiled widely.
“Perfect,” she nodded as she found 2 books she thought they would both like and then moved to the poetry section.
“I can’t believe they have this,” Donna said as Harvey moved in behind her and looked over her shoulder.
“What is it?”
“The poem I am going to read at the wedding is in this collection, it’s ten years old though,” Donna held up the book, Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur.
“That’s amazing,” Harvey said as she flipped through the poems.
“I know the brides said no gifts, but I have to get this. I’ll give it to them at brunch on Sunday.”
“They’ll love it. Speaking of gifts, I thought I could pick up the bar tab tonight. Thank them for inviting me,” Harvey shrugged.
“You sure? That is not going to be cheap,” her eyes widened.
“I know, but it is something I can do for them,” he said, and she kissed him.
They bought their books and headed back to the hotel. As they walked through the lobby a voice called out Donna’s name.
“Joy! You made it,” she hugged Alex’s teenage daughter and saw the man himself at the check in desk.
“Yes, oh my god it is beautiful here,” the girl beamed.
“It is,” Donna said as Alex and Rosalie approached, “welcome to paradise!”
“Thank you,” Rosalie said as she hugged Donna and Alex & Harvey shook hands.
“We are going to take the shuttle over to the beach club at 3:00 if you are interested?” Donna offered and Joy looked at her parents with wide eyes.
“Sure, why not? We have to be there tonight anyway,” Alex said, and everyone agreed to meet in the lobby at 2:45.
vi.
The shuttle to the beach club was almost all Wheeler/Sullivan wedding folks: the 2 brides, the Sullivans and 2 of Missy’s sisters who had arrived that day and their husbands, Alex and family and Harvey & Donna. The couple other seats were occupied by a family from Denmark who were very confused by the giddy Americans.
“I called down and they are setting up an area for us,” Sam said, “they have been so accommodating.”
“That’s great,” Donna squeezed her friend’s hand, they were sitting together, and Harvey was across the aisle with one of Missy’s brothers-in-law talking Red Sox.
Sure enough when the shuttle pulled in there were 2 beach staff waiting, one helped the family from Denmark and the other led the way to a section of beach set up for them.
Carlos gave them the lay of the land and pointed out all the amenities as the group followed along.
“Are those hammocks in the water?” Joy said with glee.
“They are and they are as awesome as you think they are,” Donna high-fived her.
The beach club was in Pitts Bay, like a lot of Bermuda, volcanic rock surrounding the beach created a breakwater that left a crystal clear pool of water with only light waves, perfect for paddleboarding, kayaking, swimming and snorkeling.
Carlos had set up the chairs in pairs each with an umbrella and tables and each table had a big pitcher of ice water on it. There were menus under the cushions of the chair and a little call button on the umbrella when they wanted to order.
“The sand is really pink,” Harvey noted as he watched the light waves roll over it as the sun glinted off of it.
“It is and the water is really my favorite color,” Donna leaned into him as they picked a couple chairs near Alex and his family.
Donna had a raspberry pink gauzy dress on over her black & white polka dot bikini and her big sun hat shading her face. Harvey gave her the chair most in the shade, only her feet were peeking out in the sun, and he tossed a towel over them.
Samantha and Missy had all new white bathing suits and cover-ups today, really sticking with the subtle bride theme.
Joy had twisted her gorgeous long braids up in a bun and was already heading for the water before her father could ask if she wanted anything to drink.
“Water it is,” he smiled and shook his head.
Carlos came back for drink orders and Donna got a passionfruit mojito and Harvey got another of the local beers he had earlier.
Donna pulled out the two books she bought.
“Thought we could each read one and then switch,” she handed him one called Aurora indicating it was another cli-fi.
“Mine is speculative near future where people can take a DNA test to find their one perfect match,” she said as she showed him The One by John Marrs.
“Is it a romance?” he was confused as the cover did not look like a romance.
“Ummm, no, I think it goes horribly awry,” she grinned.
“Guess you need to rely on finding your one in the normal way…like in a public library,” he grinned.
The beach had been crowded when they got there but by 4:00 the bulk of folks had headed back up to the resort to get ready for dinner or relax by the pool.
“I’m going in,” Donna said as she pulled a long sleeve sun shirt from her bag and put it on.
Harvey hopped up and took her hand as they walked towards the water. She led him to a water hammock, the tied the perfect halfway to get in easily but not so deep you were straining to stay above water. Harvey got in first and held it steady for Donna to curl into him.
“I think that’s the next wedding we’re going to,” Alex said to no one in particular, but Missy raised her hand with a big thumbs up from a few chairs away.
“Well, this is something I never knew I needed to experience,” Harvey said as they floated gently in the hammock looking up at the perfect blue sky.
Donna pointed at a pair of white birds with long tails swooping overhead.
“Bermuda has the best seagulls, they call them longtails and they do not menace you on the beach for snacks like ours do, they live in the rocks and just come out and fly around,” Donna smiled.
“What’s that?” Harvey pointed at a smallish bird with a yellow green belly on a rock nearby.
“Kiskadee, listen,” she said and sure enough the bird called out and it sounded like kiskadee.
There was also a fly over by a blue heron and a white egret. After some more relaxing, Donna rolled off of Harvey and into the water, diving under and swimming away. He watched her for a moment before giving chase and catching her with a squeal.
His hair was plastered to his forehead, and she pushed it back for him, kissed him softly.
“Ok, Ok, we get it you’re in love,” Samantha teased them as she and Missy and Missy’s sisters joined them in the water.
Sorry,” Donna smiled and wrinkled her nose as she turned to face her friend, Harvey planted a big kiss on her wet salty cheek.
The group floated in the pristine water until Carlos came down and told Samantha the wedding planner and photographer would be there in 30 minutes.
When the wedding planner arrived only Sam, Missy and Donna went with her and from what Harvey could see the photographer was taking sample shots in different light.
The wedding planner placed the two brides with Donna in the middle in various spots on the beach and the photographer talked about angles and light.
When Harvey next looked down, the wedding planner and photographer just had the brides and Donna was standing off to the side, her raspberry pink cover up fluttering in the breeze as she smiled at her friends. He grabbed his phone and snapped a few photos.
“She’s beautiful, your lady,” Mrs. Sullivan was walking past and caught Harvey looking at Donna.
“Yeah,” he looked up at the older woman, “she really is.”
vii.
The rehearsal took a while, not because it was that involved but because the photographer wanted to get light readings at different times and the wedding planner was watching the tide which was coming in but would be an hour later tomorrow.
Harvey used the time to dig into the book Donna bought him and was well invested in the worldwide blackout that was going on when Donna returned and flopped onto the lounger next to him.
“Good?” she pointed to the book.
“Yeah, it is. You all done?” he offered her his cup of ice water, and she drank it eagerly as she nodded.
“It’s going to be so beautiful,” Donna sighed as she looked at Missy & Sam who were still down by the water holding hands and talking.
“With you up there, it is going to be breathtaking,” he said sincerely, and she smiled at him and swatted him lightly.
“Look at you,” he said as he flipped through the pictures he took.
Donna took the phone out of his hand and looked at the pictures he took, she looked like a different person than she was a couple of months ago, happy and light.
“These are good,” she said simply and gave him a smile.
There was still over an hour until dinner and the beach was not very crowded at all.
“Want to try the paddle board?” Harvey asked remembering she had an interest in it in Maine.
“Sure,” she nodded as she applied more sunscreen to her face.
Harvey jogged over and got one from the shed of beach toys and Donna met him as they passed Sam & Missy.
“Do not break her, Harvard, we need her tomorrow,” Sam joked.
“I’m always very gentle,” he promised with a wink and Sam cackled.
“You two are like weird siblings,” Donna noted as they waded into the water.
“You calling me weird?” he tickled her.
“Yes, yes I was. I want to go first, because you will likely be amazing at this and I am going to need some help,” she reasoned.
When they got to knee deep water, Harvey held the board steady as Donna got on her knees and took the paddle.
“Ok?” he asked, and she took a deep breath.
“Ok,” she replied, and he let go gently and floated away trying not to cause any ripples in the nearly still bay.
Donna paddled for a bit, got used to switching sides and when she felt the board was as still as it was going to get, she put the paddle on the board in front of her and curled her toes.
“Good,” he said as he floated nearby. “Breathe slow and pull one knee up,” he had watched a Youtube video.
Donna slid her left knee to her chest, regained her balance and then did the same with the right. Using all the core strength she had worked hard for at yoga and with the paddle in front of her for extra balance. Donna stood up.
Harvey did a quiet little cheer so as not to startle her. The look on her face was complete awe that she had done it. She didn’t get far before her legs shook and she fell off, but Harvey was there when she fell, and he retrieved her hat that floated away.
“Try again,” he encouraged.
By the 3rd try she had it all figured out and was paddling down to the end of the rocks and back with Harvey swimming around her like a seal.
“You’re turn,” Donna hopped off and Harvey got on the board, his center of gravity much different than hers.
Sure enough though he figured it out quick, and Donna floated as she watched his gorgeous body move and twist to paddle. The light was starting to go gold, sunset on the horizon and he looked like a cologne ad or a Greek god, his smile so wide his dimples were endless.
“We should head in, it’s almost dinner time,” Donna could see the staff setting up tables and chairs along the water line.
Harvey paddled around her to face towards the shore.
“Hang on, I’ll tow you in,” he said, and she held on to the back of the board.
When the water got shallow, Donna let go and stood up and Harvey hopped off the board into the water.
“That was fun,” she said as she leaned up to kiss him.
Harvey took the board back to the shed and Donna toweled off.
“He’s going to be better at golf tomorrow than he let on, right?” Alex said as Donna sat down.
“Probably, I have yet to see anything he does not done exceptionally well,” Donna warned her boss.
On his way back from returning the paddle board, Harvey stopped Carlos and asked about paying for the group’s drinks with dinner. He jogged back to the chairs and grabbed his wallet from their bag and handed over his Amex to Carlos who assured him he would take care of everything.
“I’m going to head up and clean up a little,” Donna pointed to the changing rooms and bathrooms next to the restaurant.
“Yeah, I am a bit of a mess,” Harvey admitted as he shook his wet hair at her.
“I’ve got the bag,” she laughed and took his hand.
The bathrooms and changing rooms at the beach club were private air-conditioned cubes. Donna went for a bathroom as Harvey picked a changing room.
“Be right out,” she said as she went in and peed and washed some of the salt and sunscreen off her face. Her nose was a little pink, but not bad for 4 hours on the beach.
When she was done, she ran across to the changing room and knocked. Harvey let her in, he was already in dry shorts and a polo, trying to get his hair to do something in the mirror.
When he gave up, he turned to her and pulled her to him, kissing her thoroughly.
“Harvey, I’m wet,” she pushed away so as not to ruin his dry outfit, and he just waggled his eyebrows at her.
“My bathing suit,” she bit her lip and tried not to laugh.
“I can work on the other thing,” he offered as she untied her bikini top and let it fall off. He swallowed audibly.
“That’s right, just stare at my boobs until I can get changed,” she laughed.
Donna swapped the bikini for actual underwear but just put the gauzy pink dress on over it and Harvey’s fingers itched at how little fabric was between him and her body.
“I have no idea why this is sexier now,” he skimmed his hand down the side of her body and the warmth of his hand was a distinct difference from the chill of the AC.
“A few more hours, buddy, and then we can be alone again,” she promised.
“We are very alone right now,” he said.
“Not as alone as you think,” Missy’s voice traveled in from the next cube and Harvey actually blushed, bringing his forehead to hers and laughing.
“Sorry, Melissa,” he choked out between giggles.
Donna gave up on getting her hair to do anything, so she just pulled it back in a messy ponytail that somehow looked highly styled and slicked on some lip gloss and some more sunscreen.
“We should have bought stock in this,” Harvey said as he squeezed some out to do her shoulders, placing a soft kiss at the nape of her neck.
“It’s good I do not live in a year-round warm weather climate or I would have to budget for the stuff.”
There was music playing, soft acoustic island-sounding music, and the food smelled great as Harvey and Donna made their way to the area the group was seated. They found a nice table for two close to Missy & Sam and Harvey pulled out Donna’s chair for her which earned him an awww from Mrs. Sullivan. He gave her a wink as he walked around to his own seat.
They ordered drinks and the server brought a delicious looking bread basket that Donna dove right into, hungry from all her adventures in the water. She took a small seeded roll and broke it open and slathered it in butter and offered half of it to Harvey.
“So good,” she said as she swallowed her bite and drank some water.
All the food turned out to be delicious and Donna and Harvey tried little bits of everything and then went back for more of their favorites.
People table hopped to talk to other folks and the whole afternoon and evening was fun and festive.
“Want to take a walk?” Harvey asked as Donna returned from the ladies’ room.
“Sure,” she left her shoes by their table and took his hand.
They walked the length of the beach, settling on some rocks at the far side, the light had faded and there were tiki torches and strung lights giving enough brightness to see.
“I have something for you. I saw it today and I just thought of you,” he pulled a small box from his pocket.
“Harvey, you didn’t need to buy me a present,” she scoffed but took the box happily.
“I realized the other day it was 2 months ago that we met, and I know for a lot of people that isn’t much time, but it felt like a milestone for us,” he shrugged, “and when I saw this today, I thought it would be a nice reminder of this trip.”
In the box was a silver chain with a pink heart on it.
“It’s made out of the sand, apparently there is only one jeweler who can use the actual sand,” he explained.
“It’s beautiful, Harvey,” and it was, she held it up in the dappled light of the tiki torch and could see the gradient of color and the flecks of shiny rock that would make it shimmer.
“I did not get you a 2-month anniversary gift,” she frowned.
“Quite the contrary, Ms. Paulsen, you invited me to paradise with you.”
She kissed him then and handed him the necklace to put on her. He kissed the spot where her neck became her shoulder and then clasped the necklace in place.
“I love you,” he whispered in her ear, and she turned to hug him, just hold him close.
“I love you too,” she said as she stepped back and led him back to the group.
Harvey settled the bar bill and Samantha caught him.
“Just what do you think you are doing, Harvard?”
“Paying for the drinks, you were so kind to invite me to your wedding and Donna told me there were no gifts, so this is a little gift I can give you and Missy.”
“You didn’t need to do that,” Sam crossed her arms and twisted her lips and tried to look stern, but the smile broke through anyway, “but thank you, that was very kind and generous of you.”
“I wanted to pay for dinner Thursday, but Mr. Sullivan snuck in ahead of me,” Harvey grinned.
“He is sneaky,” Sam smiled as Donna appeared and wrapped her arms around Harvey’s arm.
“I think it might storm,” she said as the air had shifted, and a stronger breeze kicked up.
“The shuttle is ready to take us all back,” Sam noted, and they went over and rounded people up.
When they got back to the hotel they opted for the outdoor paths to their wing, but about halfway there the skies opened up and it started to pour.
They all tried to move faster but the walkways were slippery, and all the women had sandals on.
Finally, Donna gave in and let the rain wash all the sand and salt of the day off her, her arms out wide.
“You’re soaked,” Harvey had to yell over the sound of the pounding rain.
“It feels great,” she smiled at him through her wet stringy hair.
Everyone scattered to their different entrances and Donna just spun around in the rain, but as soon as the first rumble of thunder sounded, she stopped dancing and headed for the doors.
It was freezing in the hallways in their wet clothes, and their room was even colder. Harvey went to get towels and when he came back he looked at her in her very thin dress, plastered to her skin and thought there were so many many ways he could warm her up.
“You have to take that off,” he said as he dried her hair.
Donna peeled the dress off her wet skin, goosebumps everywhere from the air conditioning. Her wet underwear went next and he wrapped her in the towel and she turbaned another one on her head as he took off his soaking wet boat shoes.
“Get in bed, it’ll warm you right up,” he said not wanting to start a shower if a lightning storm was imminent.
Harvey got all his clothes off, dried himself and turned off all the lights and opened the curtain and the slider out to the balcony and crawled into bed behind Donna, she still had the towel wrapped around her, but he spooned up right behind her.
The storm rolled in over the harbor, distant at first and then increasing as it got closer. The two of them lay in the dark and watched, Harvey’s hand opening her towel and stroking her stomach.
Donna’s breathing hitched as he moved his hand down to rub her clit in time with the lightning, each flash he gave a good strong circle with his thumb, and she pressed back against him the towel still between them.
“I’ve always loved thunderstorms,” Donna said, her voice low and gravelly, “but this is next, unngghh, level,” she moaned as several quick flashes resulted in nice long pressure where she wanted it most.
Harvey pulled the towel out between their bodies, they were definitely warm now, so he could feel her press back against him with every crack of thunder.
The rhythm of the storm kept them right on the edge, building them up and winding them down over and over until Donna actually gasped wanting more, she lifted her leg and hooked it back over Harvey’s hips so he could slide into her and she moaned so loud she worried the neighbors could hear them with the balcony door open.
He had to stop for a second, he was so turned on, but then he collected himself and set a slow steady rhythm with the storm. It had settled over them and the rain was relentless, but they could still hear the rumbles of thunder in the distance and he rolled his hips in time with them.
“I’m going to, oh god, Harvey, I can’t, I’m gonna…” and then Donna arched back against him, her hot wet heat pulsed, and he groaned into her neck trying to hold on as she undulated against him.
He kissed her neck, licking and sucking her ear lobe into his mouth and her breathing started to even out as she came down from her orgasm.
“That was spectacular,” she said in awe.
“Mother Nature helped,” Harvey continued to kiss along her neck and shoulder as he lazily moved inside her.
“That was all us and give me a minute and I will pay it right back,” she found his hand on her stomach and laced their fingers together.
“I’m so good,” he assured her he was in no hurry.
“We are really good at this,” she said as she continued to watch the storm.
“Sex?” he laughed.
“Well, yes, that too. I mean vacation, we are definitely two for two,” Donna moved then and tried to rearrange them so Harvey was on his back, with his head by the open slider door hanging just enough off the side of the bed that he could still see the sky and then she straddled him.
There was no way anyone could see them, even people on boats on the harbor were too far away and all the lights were off in their room, the only illumination coming from the lightning.
Donna set the same languid pace Harvey had, rolling her hips in time with the waning storm. His hands came to her thighs, kneaded the muscles there, feeling her strength.
He could have gone forever at this pace, but Donna sped up a bit and changed the angle the way she knew he liked and soon they were both sighing and moaning and Harvey made a noise in the back of his throat that almost made Donna come on the spot.
“Touch me,” she instructed, and he went for her clit, but she redirected his hands to her breasts.
“Jesus, Donna,” he thrust up hard and she had to grab his shoulders to hold on.
“I want to come together,” she said her voice hoarse and sexy and he teased at her nipples, while his other fingers ghosted over the tender skin under her breasts and she nodded.
“Good?” he asked as she started to rotate her hips making him crazy.
“Yeah,” she panted she was so close again. “Harvey….” She warned and just as she snapped, he let go too and his orgasm sent her higher and hers coaxed everything he had from his body.
He surged up off the bed and kissed her, tangling his hands in her wet hair and trying to pour every ounce of love he had for her into a single kiss.
Donna was murmuring words of love between kisses, the heart pendant he gave her earlier the only thing on her body at the moment, pressed between their two chests.
When they finally collapsed, sideways on the bed, Donna rolled off to catch her breath and looked back at him, her eyes bright in the dark.
“Yeah, we are really good at this,” she smiled.