DAZED – EPILOGUE

Hey everyone, I called this an epilogue but really, the way I wrote it, it's pretty much just a final chapter.

Thank you to all you wonderful readers who've tolerated my crazy imagination. I hope this story has given you a little taste of what Harvey and Donna together might look like.

I've appreciated all your thoughtful reviews and requests. Writing is such a personal thing, and it always surprises me when people take the time to comment. It means a lot. With that, I hope this final chapter leaves you Dazed as to what the future might hold for Donna and Harvey. XO

This is the fourth weekend a row that Katrina and Stu have spent every waking moment together. Romantic dinners and movie nights, hikes through Central Park… and cozy evenings by the fire.

Since their first formal date, they've been inseparable.

Today, it's a Sunday morning at Stu's Brooklyn loft. The brightly lit space has high ceilings, and a large industrial window, a throwback to when the building was a candy factory.

"How's my pretty girlfriend this morning?" Stu smiles, as he pads into the bedroom, two steaming mugs in hand. Ever since that first night when he spent the night at Katrina's, they've fallen into a routine of him bringing her coffee.

Slowly propping herself up, Katrina tightens the duvet around her chest, and reaches for the cup.

"Pretty great," she replies, leaning for a lazy Sunday morning kiss. "After last night… I mean, that was quite a night."

Stu places his coffee on the bedside table, removes his bathrobe and slides back into bed.

"It was quite a night," Stu agrees, as his lips find hers. His mouth is warm and he tastes like hot coffee. "Every night with you is quite a night… the mornings aren't bad either," he teases, his hand finding her waist.

"What about the afternoons? You never mentioned those… should I be concerned?" she playfully asks.

"Day or night, I'll take any time with you," he gushes. As Stu looks her over, his expression soon changes, and Katrina is confused.

"Did I say something wrong?" she asks. Even though they've found a comfortable routine, Katrina is well aware that relationships can change on a dime, and she doesn't want to take any chances.

Running his fingers through his thick, dark hair, Stu chuckles. "No, you say everything right, Katrina… I can't believe we've only known each other for just over a month… feels longer to me."

Nodding slowly, Katrina is careful to understand his words, because she certainly doesn't want to jump to conclusions. "Longer good… or longer bad?" she asks.

"You know how sometimes you meet someone, and it feels like you've known them forever? Like you can't imagine they've never been there?" he questions.

"I do…" she agrees. Katrina hasn't told Stu yet, but that's exactly how she feels about him. Spending time together has been a choice, but it's also felt like the most natural thing in the world.

"I can barely remember what I did before Donna and Harvey's wedding. I was fine and living my life, but it feels like a lifetime ago."

Reaching for Katrina's hand, he continues, "I guess I feel grateful… and happy. Being with you makes me happy, Katrina."

"I love the traditions we've started," Katrina beams. "You bringing me a morning coffee and our Saturday walks through the park. I love that you're open to new experiences, like the night I took you to the modern dance recital."

"Or to that crazy restaurant where they only serve three things," Stu laughs. "Fastest meal we've ever eaten!"… But I love that you were curious enough to go there."

Katrina bursts out laughing at the memory. "Now it makes total sense why the restaurant was called Simple Eats!"

With his thumb caressing Katrina's face, Stu can't help but fall into her earnest blue eyes. Pulling back from another tender kiss, he scans her face.

"I guess that's what I'm realizing… I love so many things about you… I just love... you," he says, clearing his throat. It's been a very long time since Stu has let his heart go like this, but he can't go on without telling her.

Upon hearing the words, Katrina gasps, the butterflies in her stomach now running wild. "Did you just say…?" she stutters.

"I love you, Katrina," he repeats, still holding his breath. "In love with you… I should say."

With her hand over her mouth, Katrina tries to calm her breathing. One and two deep breaths. Then, left and right, her eyes dart between his.

"I heard you correctly, right? You said what I think, right? Because I don't want to make assumptions, because I feel the same…" she stammers.

Breathless, she looks at Stu for a reaction.

"The same?" he questions with a shy glance.

"I love you too, Stu," Katrina exhales, finally relieved she no longer has to keep it to herself. "I'm in love too…"

"How about you kiss me, and if we get started now, we could work our way up to the afternoon," he flirts, as he pulls Katrina back down and under the covers.

"Morning, afternoon and night, then?" she giggles, as she falls into Stu's strong embrace.

"And to the moon and back," he chuckles.

xxx

"Well, aren't you all glowy and smiley this morning," Donna teases, as she meets Katrina in the executive kitchen. Her blonde friend can't help but grin back.

"Can you keep a secret?' Katrina whispers, her eyes moving left then right. It's just the two of them, but Katrina knows that if she doesn't whisper, she might end up shouting it from the rooftops.

Donna's eyes zero in on her colleague, as she pretends to zip her lips.

"Yesterday… Stu told me he loved me. He said that I make him happier than he's ever been," Katrina gushes. "Loves me! Can you believe it?"

Smiling ear-to-ear, Donna affectionally squeezes Katrina's hand. "I'm not surprised at all. You and Stu are just adorable together. How do you feel?"

With an optimistic sigh, Katrina beams. "I feel… in love. For the first time in my life… I feel really in love… the healthy kind… and I have you to thank, Donna."

"Me? No I can't take the credit," Donna says, waving her hands. "This was all you and your man."

Tilting her head, Katrina places her hands on her hips, and gives Donna a knowing look.

"OK," Donna admits. "I did pay attention to the seating chart at the wedding, but nothing more… maybe you two were just meant to meet. But however it happened, I'm so happy for you. Stu is a great guy, and you deserve every bit of the happiness coming your way."

"Thanks Donna," Katrina says, as she moves to serve herself a coffee. "Can I get you a coffee?"

"No thanks, my stomach still feels off since the trip. I think it's withdrawal from all that sunshine and sea air," she jokes.

"Well, you've been busy since you've been back. Are you and Harvey finally settled in your new place?" Katrina asks.

"We are, although there are still a few boxes to go through," Donna replies. "Since we're keeping my apartment, it made the move easier."

As Katrina steps out of the kitchen, Donna grabs a sip of water to soothe her upset stomach. She's beginning to wonder if she did catch a tropical bug during the trip.

Another difference since she's returned… her cycle is off. It's only been a couple of days, but she's usually quite regular. If she did catch something tropical, it may have affected her entire system. She hasn't mentioned any of this to Harvey, although he's commented that she seems tired lately.

To cover all the bases, Donna is going to book a checkup with Dr. Mills. And today, at lunch, she's going to pick up a couple of pregnancy tests. Just to be sure.

xxx

Donna swallows, and blinks twice as she reads the instructions for a third time.

"One line, you are not pregnant. Two lines, no matter how faint they are, means that you are pregnant."

There are definitely two lines, she notices, and they're most certainly not faint. Sitting at the edge of the bed in their new townhouse, Donna is frozen in place. To say she's surprised is an understatement… she's stunned.

A woman my age can't get pregnant that easily, can she? she wonders, as she takes yet another look at the blue and white stick.

Her doctor warned her it would likely take months or even a year. Then, there would be fertility options to consider.

Although the test professes to be 99% accurate, Donna is convinced there must be some sort of mistake. It's only been a month since she and Harvey agreed to try.

As her eyes remain transfixed on the test, her first instinct is to call Harvey. This morning, he left for the office at the crack of dawn, as he's been prepping for a big case.

Any mention of a pregnancy would surely distract, so Donna decides that she'll wait until the case wraps later in the week.

Before she prepares for the day, Donna calls her doctor's office to book an appointment. A quick blood test will confirm things.

After gathering her very scattered thoughts, Donna pads her way into the bathroom, and stares at her reflection. She's trying to remain rational and not get her hopes up, but a tiny smile sneaks past her lips.

Could I be?

It would explain her exhaustion and tummy troubles. It would also explain how she's felt different since returning from their honeymoon.

Donna suddenly feels overwhelmed. She and Harvey have had no time to adjust to being married, and they've just moved. Is this all happening too soon?

Taking a deep breath, she tightens the waistband on her bathrobe, and turns on the shower.

Everything is pointing to her being pregnant, so she decides, for the moment, to take it at face value. Despite the results, Donna will make a point of acting like nothing's changed… at least for the next three days.

Dropping her robe on the floor, Donna steps into the shower steam, As the rushing water soothes her face, her mind races. What if, for Harvey, this really is too much, too soon?

Xxx

"Rachel! How are you?" Donna greets, as she cradles the phone between her shoulder and ear. It's the middle of the afternoon, and she's just returned from lunch with Samantha.

"I'm great! Big as a house, but great!" her friend admits. "I'm not enjoying these last couple of months, I'll be honest. I don't recognize my body anymore."

"I think your body is doing exactly what it should right now," Donna assures. "And you probably feel bigger than you look… because you looked stunning at the wedding."

"Well, let's just say a month makes a huge difference… and yes I mean huge," Rachel giggles. "How's Harvey? Back in the swing of things I bet."

"From the day we got back," Donna agrees. "He's in the middle of a big case right now, so we really haven't seen each other. Is Mike ready for the baby? Was he nervous when you first told him you were pregnant?"

"He was surprised… all men are. At least that's what I'm learning from our prenatal class," Rachel explains. "Once Mike got over the shock, he was excited, and he's been counting the days ever since. I think when the time comes, Harvey will be the same."

Leaning forward on her desk, Donna squeezes the phone receiver, and sighs. "You think so? You think Harvey would be excited like that?"

Rachel laughs over the phone line. "If you had asked me a year ago, I probably would have said no, but after seeing him at the wedding with Hayley, Will, Elise and Hannah… he's a big kid himself, Donna. Don't worry, when the time comes, I'm sure he'll be ready," Rachel assures.

"So… it's not that I'm not happy to hear from you, but was there a reason you called?" Donna asks, anxious to change the subject. The last thing she wants is to have to lie to Rachel about whether she might be pregnant.

"Mike's birthday is coming up the second weekend in December. I thought we might all do something fun together before the baby is born. Maybe you and Harvey could fly down here for the weekend as a surprise. What do you think?"

"That would be amazing! We could definitely do that!" Donna says. "I'll put it in Harvey's calendar."

"I'll get back to you on the details," Rachel says. "It'll be one last chance for us to party before our lives change. And by party, I mean drinking soda and staying awake until ten thirty!"

Donna can't help but laugh. If she really is pregnant, she'll be quick to join Rachel with that. Maybe that weekend would be a good time to surprise both Mike and Rachel.

"I love you Rachel," Donna says into the phone. "And I can't wait to see you. We'll be sure to bring Mike those Brooklyn burritos he loves so much."

"I love you, too, Donna," her dark-haired friend replies. "See you in December!"

xxx

Thursday night, and Donna has dinner waiting when he arrives. It's been a long but successful week. Harvey and Samantha won their case, but they won't be celebrating. With Louis away on paternity leave, it's on to the next one.

As Harvey enters the foyer of the townhouse, he exhales, the smell of warm bread wafting from the kitchen. With things being busy at the office, he and Donna have relied on take-out, so he's secretly happy for this home-cooked meal.

Harvey never used to care how he ate… until he and Donna got together. That's when she began to spoil him with her delicious homemade lasagna and healthy salads. His bagel breakfasts have since been replaced with fresh fruit and the most amazing apple-cinnamon oatmeal. He has to admit, he looks and feels better.

More than anything, Harvey's relieved to see Donna getting back to her old routine. After they returned from their honeymoon, they put an offer on an amazing townhouse, and got it. Within two weeks, they had moved from the penthouse to the three-story brownstone in Brooklyn.

It didn't take long for Harvey's penthouse to sell. In fact, it was an up-and-coming legal hotshot who bought it. The deal was good, but more than that, the kid reminded Harvey of himself. So, of the five good offers, he opted to accept the kid's.

"Respect the place," Harvey told him with a firm handshake. "Respect it…and you'll do well here."

Harvey thought he'd feel sentimental about leaving his old place, but it wasn't as difficult as he thought. In fact, after the honeymoon, he felt disconnected from it.

This new home has everything that was on Donna's very long and specific list. Fireplaces, large closets and bright windows. Most of all, Harvey loves the way it makes him feel when he enters after a long day. It's home. Their home.

He still laughs about when he and Donna first visited the house. She laid it all out for him. Where the sofa could go, the size of dining table they would need to host spectacular dinner parties… and then the backyard. Private and low maintenance, but big enough for a swing set and small flower garden.

Stepping into the kitchen, Harvey leans on the door frame as he watches Donna remove the warm loaf from the oven.

"You bake bread, too? My very own little red hen!" he jokes. "See, that's funny because your hair is red and you're my hen."

Donna turns to Harvey and rolls her eyes, as he greets her with sweet kiss. "I'm not your hen, Harvey. If anything I'm the rooster of this coop… they've also got red on top."

"I won't argue with that!" he chuckles, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Nice to see you're getting your energy back. Feeling better?"

"I am," she smiles. "Maybe it wasn't a bug after all."

Definitely not a bug, she thinks to herself.

"Well, probably best not to do too much, too soon," Harvey suggests, as he loosens his necktie. "You relax. Let me change and I'll serve dinner."

As she pulls his necktie away, Donna responds with a playful smile. "Thank you, love. You're becoming quite the little hen yourself."

"Does that mean I get laid later?" he volleys back. "See that's funny because…"

Shaking her head with mock annoyance, Donna interrupts, "Eggs get laid, Harvey, not hens."

"Right. I better get cracking on dinner then!" he chuckles. "You never know when the rooster wants to get busy."

Donna tries desperately not to laugh at Harvey's terrible sense of humour, but she can't help herself. For years, he was never as light-hearted as this. But now, he's every bit as ridiculous as Mike.

After dinner, Harvey and Donna retreat to the bedroom to wind down for the evening. Donna reads in bed, while Harvey sits next to her. He's going through deposition documents for another of Louis's cases.

"Marcus and Samantha are definitely coming for Thanksgiving," Donna mentions without looking away from her novel. "I was talking to Samantha today and she says Hayley and Will are also coming. He's got them for the weekend."

"That's great," Harvey mumbles. "The more the merrier. The kids will make it fun."

"They will… make it fun, won't they?" Donna agrees.

"The Thanksgiving parade… I could take them," Harvey suggests, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"We're also babysitting for Louis and Sheila next weekend," Donna reminds Harvey. "Remember the Shakespeare Company season tickets I got Louis for standing with me at the wedding? They're going to see Hamlet so we're watching Lucy."

Before Harvey can respond, Donna continues, "And I spoke with Rachel. We're going to Seattle the second weekend of December to surprise Mike on his birthday. Rachel says it will be the last chance for all of us to party before the baby comes."

Pausing with his papers, Harvey turns to Donna. "The parade, babysitting, partying before babies… everything's changing, isn't it?"

"Are you ok with that?" Donna asks. "We can look at this as practice, you know… for the future."

"From what I've been told, even with practice, no one is really ready to have a baby," Harvey says. "And I'll be honest, the idea is overwhelming. But when the time comes, we'll figure it out."

Harvey returns to his papers and begins to read. Donna swallows, hopeful that he really means what he says.

For a few moments, the couple relax quietly, and then Harvey asks, "Hey, you gotta a pen? I need to color-code this section."

"Sure," she agrees. Donna folds the novel over her lap, and pulls open the drawer beside her.

Instead of presenting Harvey with her signature four-colour pen, she hands him a plastic stick.

"What's this?" Harvey asks, furrowing his brow. Blue and white, it was the size of a marker, and for a second, his mind didn't compute.

A tiny smile forms on Donna's face, as she waits for Harvey to connect the dots. Then, when his eyes nearly fall out of their sockets, she can't help but hold her breath.

"Is this…?" he swallows, his bulging eyes immediately zeroing in on the two firm lines between his fingertips. "Are you?… Are we?'

"Yes, yes… and yes…" she whispers, her hair gently falling to the side, as she cautiously searches his face. "Harvey… you're going to be a father."

Within seconds, the dozen papers Harvey was working on explode onto the floor, and he immediately wraps her in a tight embrace.

With his chest flush to hers, Donna feels his heart thundering across her ribs. His arms are so firm around her that she can barely inhale.

"You can't be serious! How did this happen?" Harvey asks. His face is pure delight when he looks at her.

"Wait until I tell you… you'll never believe it," she teases, as she takes in the comfort of his warm hands now holding her face.

Then with the sound of Harvey sniffling, Donna's eyes also well up.

"Are you ok? Are you feeling ok? Maybe you should take tomorrow off," he worries, his eyes beaming and misting all at once.

"I'm ok. A little tired… a lot overwhelmed… maybe in shock." Donna admits. "I have a doctor's appointment on Monday to confirm with bloodwork, but these pregnancy tests are pretty accurate."

Harvey picks up the blue and white test and examines it. "Definitely two lines… I guess everything really is changing," he sighs happily.

"So you're ok? You don't think this is too much, too soon?" Donna enquires.

Her face now back in his hands, Harvey presses his mouth firmly on hers. A tender and determined kiss that erases any doubts she might have had.

"A very wise woman once told me that everything works out exactly as it should," he smiles. "So no… it's not too much, too soon, it's exactly how it's supposed to be."

With a relieved sigh, Donna places her head on Harvey's shoulder, his hand now running soothing circles across her back.

I'm coming with you on Monday," he confirms.

"It's just bloodwork Harvey, and you've got a lot on your plate," she explains.

"I'm coming with you," he repeats. "And book your appointments for first thing in the morning, and I'll make every one."

"A baby, Harvey," Donna sighs. "Can you believe it?"

"I can, and I also believe I'm the luckiest guy on the planet," he grins. "You've been good about taking those baby vitamins, right?

"Everyday," she assures, as she snuggles back down into bed.

Harvey draws up the duvet, and tucks it around her frame. "Good. Now get some rest. Things are going to change around here. Your health is number one."

"I love you, Harvey," Donna smiles. "I already know you're going to be a great dad."

"Thanks Donna," he replies. "And like everything else you do, you're going to be an amazing mother."

xxx

It's exactly eleven am on Monday, when Donna's cell phone vibrates across her desk.

"Hello, Donna Paulsen-Specter speaking."

"Hi, it's Dr. Mills, I'm just following up with the blood test results…"

Donna's stomach does an instant summersault.

"Hi, Dr. Mills, can you please give me a second, I'm going to get my husband," Donna requests, as she quickly makes her way into Harvey's office.

Closing his glass door, she transfers the call to speaker phone, as Harvey anxiously looks up at her.

"Ok Dr. Mills, we're both here," she says. Leaning back in his seat, Harvey's hands nervously drum his lap.

"Donna and Harvey, I can confirm that congratulations are in order… it's official! You're going to be parents!

The End…. thank you for reading!