A/N: Since fluff is all I seem to be able to do these days, you'll find some more of it here :D This fic is loosely based on the Darvey universe I have created with "What Better Time Is There", "You And I In Paradise" and "My Home In You". You don't have to necessarily read them but there are some minor references in here that might make more sense if you have.

This whole idea started while talking to Nanna – as those fics so so often tend to do – and it continued thanks to Caroline guiding me in the right direction when I hit a bit of a writer's block halfway through. So this story definitely wouldn't have happened without either of these two wonderful ladies. Who were also amazing betas, just as much as my dear Aimee was *heartemoji* Thanks to you girls for the never-ending support, the love and the cheerleading! This whole ride wouldn't be what it is without you. XO

So here we go :) I hope you'll have fun with this little thing :)

P.S.: There is a slight T/M part further down below. You'll know when it happens and if that isn't your thing, you can easily skip it :)

Of Road Trips And Shooting Stars

The click of the door announces Harvey's return and the excitement that had been bubbling inside of Donna for the past two hours swells even more as she spots her husband rounding the corner. A confident and satisfied expression is plastered on his face as he comes to a halt in the middle of the living room.

Even after all this time, he still has the power to utterly take her breath away. With the softness in his eyes. With the dazzling effect of his smile. With the warmth and strength he emanates. And with his physicality that never ceases to stoke that fire of need deep inside of her. The coal-black and snug pair of jeans that doesn't leave much to the imagination, as well as that white dress shirt with the rolled-up sleeves he is wearing this morning aren't doing anything to extinguish these flames either, nor does his voice or the slight shadow of a beard surrounding his curved up lips and jaw.

"The car is packed. We're ready to leave whenever you are," Harvey proclaims, while he closes the distance to the couch and takes the seat next to his wife. "Are you feeling a bit better?"

"Yeah, I am," Donna nods, gently caressing over her stomach. "The herbal tea helped to settle the queasiness."

"You don't think you might be coming down with something? We can still postpone that trip if you want to," Harvey offers, concern written all over his face as he studies her intently.

"It was just the usual unease, Harvey. Nothing to worry about, I promise."

"But you'll tell me immediately if that changes, okay?"

"You know I will," Donna replies and squeezes his hand reassuringly. His ring presses warmly into her palm and the feeling is as exhilarating today as it had been a year and a half ago when she felt it for the very first time. Donna's smile spreads as she leans in, quickly but gently brushing her lips over his before she pulls back again.

"As if our little bean here could stop me from going on our babymoon," Donna huffs, and with another squeeze of Harvey's hand, she gets up from her place; ready and excited to go.

~o~o~

Fifteen minutes later, they leave Seattle's city limits behind. Some kind of classical music blasts from the speakers but despite the highest volume, it gets nearly drowned out by warm summer wind blowing around their heads.

"I can't believe you actually got us the convertible for this weekend," Donna chuckles, pulling her trench coat tighter around her body.

"You can't? Really?" Harvey laughs, taking a sideways glance at his wife.

"Okay, yeah. I can," Donna nods, the smile still lighting up her face.

"I thought we should travel in style. Plus, it might be the last time I get to drive a car like this for a while. So I'm gonna make it count."

"As you should," Donna replies, scooting a little closer into Harvey's side, which the continuous leather bench of the Ford Mustang whatever-its-ancient-age easily allows her to do. Seconds later, she can feel his arm around her shoulder, as he pulls her in just a little more.

"Still feeling okay?" Harvey asks, gently caressing her shoulder.

"I am. Better than okay," Donna reassures him and squeezes his thigh, where her left palm had been resting since the moment they had gotten into the car.

"Good," Harvey replies, quickly pressing his lips against the side of her head before his focus shifts on the road again.

As they head up the interstate towards the Canadian border, Donna twists and shuffles some more until she finds a comfortable position by her husband's side. Her head is resting leisurely against his shoulder and her eyes drift ahead, as the city's outskirts soon turn into the calming ocean side.

Donna's heart fills with peace and warmth as they leave their everyday life behind. Not that their everyday life is particularly something they would need to get away from these days, but this trip would be the last one they'll get to go on, just the two of them, and Donna is very much looking forward to some alone time with Harvey. A part of her is still having a hard time wrapping her head around the fact that they are actually going on a babymoon, only mere months after they had officially decided to start trying.

Once the newlyweds had moved to Seattle, they both agreed that they wanted to wait until they were settled in with their new jobs and their new home. Finding a house or a condo, fortunately, was a quick and easy undertaking, and a year and a half later, it still feels as much like home as their apartments in New York ever had. Though then again, Harvey was right with what he said during that first night they had spent in their own four walls: it doesn't matter where they are or what they do, as long as they are together, that's where home would always be. And where it had always been.

Settling in with their new jobs, unfortunately, had not been quite as easy. Things were different on the other side of the country, they had learned that soon enough, and it took some time for them to adjust to the new rhythm that had presented itself. What changes they had been looking forward to so much – the seemingly easier cases, the reduction of the workload, the additional free time - had ultimately been the things they had to adjust to the most; apart from the people and the city itself.

In the beginning, the sixty-three employees at Ross & Zane had kept Donna busy enough, only without the pressure and stress that she learned to live with for over a decade. During these first couple of months at the office, Donna had firmly believed that they didn't even need a COO to begin with but just like in every other situation, Donna had filled and formed the position until she had shaped it into her very own and was satisfied with it. And while the job may still not provide the daily challenge it used to in New York, the freedom and peace of mind it granted her was most certainly a welcome trade-off.

For Harvey, adjusting had taken its due time as well. The first few weeks and even months of working with Mike again had been easy and rewarding, and Harvey had quickly gotten used to the way things were done around here. After the so-called honeymoon phase was over though, to everyone's surprise, their working relationship hit a rough spot and it tainted both their work and their friendship.

For some unfathomable reason, Mike had felt the need to show everyone at the firm who the boss was, especially once Harvey started to deal with cases by himself. First, it was just tension but soon it morphed into something else, culminating in them putting Donna and Rachel in shitty positions as well. There were fights and shouting matches in both of their offices, hallways, or the file room for weeks, until they both realized and finally acknowledged the pissing contest for what it was. Under their wives' empathetic guidance they got it sorted out at last, and due to his persistence and confidence, Harvey earned himself a spot on the wall; of what is now known as Ross Zane & Specter. The name change meant that on occasion Harvey would have to stay at the office until way past midnight; however, more often than not, he would get to go home with his wife while the sun was still up in the sky.

It is exactly these types of evenings that both Donna and Harvey use to repeatedly fulfill all of the promises they had made to each other during their honeymoon. They regularly cook dinner at home, a craft that they had perfected over the course of the past year. They had taken at least a dozen cooking classes together and learned to make sushi and the best Thai curries in town, as well as how to make their own pizzas and most delicious pasta dishes; which significantly reduced the number of times they went out to restaurants anymore, both agreeing that their own creations most of the times tasted way better anyway. They still have date nights once a week, that mostly consist of dancing classes, movie nights or visits to the local theater, and on special occasions sometimes even basketball or baseball matches.

They lead a good life in Seattle. A happy life. Happier, in fact, than they could have ever imagined. And while the transition had presented its challenges, it was all worth it in the end.

Through it all, the two of them hadn't actively been trying to get pregnant; even though, unconsciously, they hadn't not actively been trying either. Donna's pill subscription had run out a few months after the move and they agreed that it wouldn't be necessary to get a new one, when her body and hormones probably needed time to readjust anyway. And indeed, it wasn't until Donna had started tracking her cycle a few months back, that it happened, almost instantly, on only their second official attempt.

Harvey's hand comes to rest on her thigh, where he begins to absentmindedly play with the hem of her skirt that is peeking through the opening of her trench coat. Every now and then his pinky finger would brush against her smooth skin, sending bolts and shivers of electricity and warmth through her body. Donna's eyes drift close as she snuggles further into the leather seat.

She can still so very clearly see Harvey's happy and teary gaze from the moment she had told him; at a time, when it had been all but her intuition telling her that it had happened. There had been a weird coiling in her stomach and an unfamiliar exertion in her breasts and almost from the first day, Donna could feel her body changing. They had gotten three pregnancy tests a couple of days later and a doctor's appointment two days after that; all four of them confirming what they had hoped to be true.

And now she is in her twenty-sixth week of pregnancy and she could not be happier about it. They both couldn't be happier about it. If it was even possible, this new and exciting chapter had brought them closer together still and had elevated their love to a level they hadn't known existed.

Donna witnessing Harvey baring more and more layers of the man she had always known he was, still made her fall deeper and deeper in love with him on a daily basis. Harvey continued to kick ass in the office, and with hard work and discipline he had earned himself the title of best closer on this side of the country as well; but at home, with her and with them, he is everything she will ever need.

Harvey is there for every appointment at the gynecologist, holds her hand and cries with her when they hear their little bean's heartbeat and he loves her through all of her mood swings and cravings and emotional outbursts. He massages her feet when they look like those of elephants after a long day in high heels, and when she empties her stomach in the morning, he is there to hold back her hair. He loves her. And he shows her. With words and with gestures and in the way he desires her every second of every day.

It is almost disgusting how perfect he is, Donna thinks, and a small smile spreads on her lips when she concludes how she wouldn't want to change a single thing about him, and them, and what they have.

A first wave of exhaustion suddenly pulls at her body and mind, gently but inexorably sweeping her into dreamland that feels like reality all the same.

~o~o~

They stop for the night at a fancy, little hotel by the ocean that they come across about three hours past the Canadian border. After enjoying a romantic dinner at the beach, they head to bed soon after to get an early start the next morning.

When the alarm does ring at 7 am, however, Donna crankily curses herself for having picked the kind of retreat that she had. Weeks ago, when they had talked about a possible babymoon, taking a road trip had sounded like a great idea – especially when just thinking about taking a plane somewhere had made her stomach twist and turn. But right now, at the crack of dawn, for just a second, she wishes she would be lying beneath the Caribbean sun after all.

Her spirits soon change though, when after a long and hot shower, Harvey awaits her with a bagel and a decaf coffee in the bedroom, and with their stomachs filled, they continue their journey into the wilderness.

A couple of hours later, once they finally do arrive at their destination, palm trees, turquoise water, and white beaches are instantly forgotten, for the sight that presents itself is equally as breathtaking and mesmerizing as the Caribbean could have possibly been.

Stretched out before them lies a beautiful lake surrounded by trees and mountains and apart from the chirping of birds and a slight breeze rustling the leaves, there is not a single disturbing sound to be heard. It's everything Donna had hoped it would be and joy expands inside of her at the thought that they would get to spend the next seven days in this magical place.

After checking in and being led to their private cabin by the water, Harvey quickly unpacks their bags, while he tells Donna to get comfortable on the large sunbed outside on the patio overlooking the lake. It doesn't take Harvey long to join her, plopping himself down on the space next to his wife.

The view truly is spectacular from where they are lying, and for a little while, that is all they do. Lying there. Enjoying the late summer sun. The warmth. The silence and peace.

For how long, neither can really tell. Nor do they particularly care. Because so far, there are no plans, no appointments, no anything to have them stressed or under time constraints in any way.

"You good?" Harvey murmurs minutes or hours later. "Is there anything you wanna do? Look around? Take a walk? Get a massage?"

With her eyes closed and face directed at the sun, she shakes her head. "Can we just stay here and relax for a while?"

She can hear him expel a breathy chuckle. "Of course, Donna," he replies and the content smile is clearly audible in his voice. "We'll do whatever it is you wanna do."

Turning her head in Harvey's direction, she finds him already looking back at her and as is so often the case, her breath hitches ever so slightly when she takes him in. His Cheshire cat smile lights up his whole face and she can see the crinkles around his eyes despite the sunglasses he is wearing. The five o'clock shadow is making her fingers itch to touch him, so much so, that she almost forgets what she had wanted to say in the first place.

Clearing her throat, she pushes those thoughts away. "It's your babymoon as well though. So if there is anything you want to do, please, tell me, okay?"

"Of course, I will," he nods reassuringly. "But for now, lying here with my wife sounds pretty perfect to me."

Donna returns his smile and silence momentarily settles between them again. That sense of peace and perfection solidifies, engulfing them in an impenetrable cocoon of safety.

"Mhmm…" Donna sighs. "I think we're in paradise again, aren't we?" she murmurs quietly, closing the distance now by rolling into Harvey's side.

His arm wraps around her shoulder and he pulls her a tiny bit closer. The other hand automatically reaches for the swell of her stomach, which had been growing rapidly in the past three or four weeks. It had become one of his favorite parts of her body it seemed; at least judging by the amount of times he keeps touching it daily.

"As I've told you before…," he begins, pressing his lips against her forehead, "paradise is wherever you are."

Donna chuckles at his corny words but her heart still warms in her chest. Would she ever get used to hearing him say things like these? Probably not. And she sure hopes that he would never get tired of saying them.

~o~o~

"Donna?" Harvey asks, hours later, still almost in the very same position.

The only times they had moved at all during the afternoon had been for Donna to relieve her bladder every now and then, and for Harvey to get another cup of coffee to fight off the sleep that had been threatening to overcome him. Apart from that, the pull of the sunbed had been as strong as gravity itself and because they could, they just remained right where they were.

"Hmm?" came Donna's distracted reply. She'd had her nose buried in some kind of cheesy romance novel for the past hour, something she hadn't had time for in a while.

"We probably shouldn't be calling her or him 'little bean' anymore."

The words are enough to catch her attention, and she twists her head to look at him. "Why is that?"

In reply, Harvey flashes her the screen of his cellphone. "It says here that the baby has the size of an eggplant now."

"Are you saying you wanna call him or her little eggplant from now on?" Donna asks and raises an eyebrow at him.

Harvey thinks about that for a second but then shakes his head with a sheepish smile. "I uhm… no. You're right. Little bean sounds much better."

"I mean, if you have a better suggestion, I'm all for it."

His gaze drifts into the distance for a few seconds, trying hard to think of something more suitable but coming up empty. With another shake of his head, he focuses back on Donna. "No. Not really… I guess, what I really meant was, that I'm just surprised he or she would be so big already. Compared to the last ultrasound I mean."

"Yeah, that's true. My bladder and other organs can attest to how this little inhabitant is indeed growing," Donna replies, gently patting her belly.

Harvey's eyes find her stomach and his hand joins Donna's for a moment. They have yet to feel the little one from the outside and Harvey prays every day that he won't miss the first time it happens. The need to feel it had become especially strong, when Donna had told him about four weeks ago, that she could finally feel the baby moving on the inside, and how weird but amazing those tiny flutters had felt.

The moment passes in silence and once they've gotten more comfortable again, Donna looks back at him.

"What are you reading there anyway?"

"Just some articles," Harvey replies and shrugs his shoulders.

"Articles, hmm?" Donna smiles, inching closer to get a better look at his cellphone.

"What? Can't a man prepare for the birth of his child as well?" Harvey wants to know in mock defensiveness.

"Of course, he can," Donna responds, a happy grin lightening up her face. "I love you, Harvey."

He doesn't say it back out loud. But his lips against hers are just as vocal.

~o~o~

For two days straight, the pair doesn't move a single muscle more than necessary.

Necessary meaning going for late breakfasts or their romantic candlelight dinners in the evening. Or for their couple's massages and floating tank session, both experiences they will most likely never forget. Donna has booked some more treatments for herself, time that Harvey happily uses to draw some rounds in the lake or to just relax on the sunbed on the patio.

Necessary also meaning catching up on some much needed physical closeness; that they don't lack anyway but that they enjoy relishing in even more with nothing and no one disturbing them in their bubble of pure bliss.

And bliss it is, getting to lie in the sun with his arms around her or with her head on his chest. Skin against skin, getting warmed by the celestial body as well as each other. And bliss it is even more, when lips meet tenderly or hungrily, hands tracing and teasing until they surrender themselves to the all-consuming intimacy that still seems to be growing with every day that passes.

~o~o~

It's on the third day, that the atmosphere momentarily shifts. Donna can sense it the second her consciousness leaves the uneasy dream of the night behind, and a touch to the empty spot beside her confirms the worrying coiling in the pit of her stomach.

Harvey is gone.

The realization chases off even the last remnants of sleep and makes her sit up in bed. Her eyes drift through the room and her heart rate picks up. It isn't that unusual for Harvey to leave bed before she does – especially since she's gotten pregnant – but something feels different this morning. And it must be rather early in the morning, too, because daylight is barely peeking in through the windows as Donna slips out of bed.

Throwing on one of the warm and plushy bathrobes of the hotel, she tiptoes out of the bedroom in search for her missing husband. She would have expected to find him either in the bathroom or the living room area, but both lie half-dark and empty and quiet before her. Her heart rate picks up some more because even though she knows there must be a perfectly reasonable explanation for Harvey's disappearance, all kinds of worst-case scenarios interweave with the rational part of her brain just as much.

Only when Donna moves further into the living room, does she see the small gap in the doors leading outside onto the patio. A slight breeze whooshes in and rustles the curtains as she steps closer to the glass front and then outside.

There, at the other end of the deck, is where she finds him. Standing with his back to her, arms crossed, he seems to be miles away while he stares over the lake that stretches out before them. Utter silence is engulfing them, apart from soft waves gently rolling against the shore.

Without further hesitation, Donna closes the distance. Harvey doesn't move an inch or show any sign that he hears her but he also doesn't flinch when she steps behind him, sliding her hands around his waist and to his front.

He is tense; a lot more tense than she can remember him being in a very long time. So she wraps herself around him tighter, her palms traveling up to his chest as she rests her face between his shoulder blades. Wordlessly, he places his hand on top of hers, holding her close and making it impossible for her to move.

Donna's breathing soon adjusts to his. Or it might be the other way around. She can't really tell; not that it even matters, because either way, it's helping him relax. It takes a few minutes, but soon his breathing comes out deep and evenly again, and not short-winded and sluggish as it had before. The tension slowly dissolves, leaving his body some more with every inhale and exhale he takes.

"Are you okay?" Donna whispers, pressing her lips against his shoulder before breathing him in.

"Yeah… Just a bad dream," he murmurs, ever so slightly leaning back into her embrace.

"You wanna talk about it?"

Harvey falls silent for a moment and Donna knows better than to push. Because she knows that he would talk eventually. Sometimes, he needs a bit longer to open up to her, and sometimes, he just blurts it right out. In the end, though, he always comes around. And that is one of the things she is most proud of when she thinks of them. For all the times they hadn't talked, had lied and denied, had yelled and fought just to avoid facing what had been right there, communication is one of the skills they excel most in these days. The happy truths are shared just as openly as the hard truths and there is no longer room for ambiguity or evasiveness in the solidity and safety of their relationship.

Taking another deep breath, Harvey carefully spins in the circle of her arms, his own now sliding around her in return. His eyes are tired and haunted as he finds hers and he shoots her a tender smile before he leans in for a kiss. It's soft and loving and unhurried; a simple brush of lips against lips - only that nothing is ever simple with them.

When Harvey pulls back, his gaze is unsure but probing, telling her that he is ready to talk about whatever it is that is weighing him down.

"I dreamt that our son was kidnapped…," he expels breathlessly, and pain flashes over his face. "I was at the playground with him… and I didn't pay attention for just one second… a single second… and then he was gone. And I was terrified… I don't think I'd ever been that scared in my life, Donna," he whispers, the emotions of the dream so very visible on his face. "And then you appeared out of nowhere... And you were so angry with me… and yelled at me what a horrible father I was for allowing our son to be kidnapped. I was devastated," he sighs, his breath more ragged again. "I still am," Harvey adds, breaking eye contact and staring off somewhere over her shoulder.

Donna's hold around him tightens, physically wanting to let him know that it was okay. That they are okay. "You know it was just a dream, right?" she says, reassuringly caressing his back in the hopes to fight off the tension that wants to sneak back into his body.

"I know… but it felt so real…" Harvey sighs, looking back into her eyes. "I was so scared… And you were so mad. And disappointed."

"Harvey, listen to me. Don't let a dream get to you like that. I know you would never let anything happen to our child. Ever." The tone in her voice is strong and convincing and it leaves no doubt that what she is saying is the absolute truth.

"How can you be so sure? Who's to say I won't fail miserably at all of this? I didn't exactly have role models as parents to show me how it's done…" he murmurs, his shoulders deflating.

"Hey, where is this coming from?" Donna asks, a little concerned by the sudden change in the confidence he had shown until now.

Harvey just shrugs and shakes his head. "Well, apparently my subconsciousness thinks so. Maybe I just didn't wanna see it… I never got taught how to be a good parent, with my mom… well, you know…. And also with…" Another deep sigh escapes his lips, as his voice breaks off.

Donna studies him carefully; watches every twitch of his lips and every flash of pain and uncertainty in his eyes. He starts twice, to say more, but instead the muscles in his jaw clench tightly and prevent him from doing so.

"Also with what?" Donna gently asks, wanting to break the spell he seems to momentarily be under.

His chest expands with the next intake of breath. "Well, my dad wasn't really around all that much either. Not enough to be called a role model."

"Harvey-," Donna begins but the look in his eyes renders her quiet.

"No, Donna, it's true. I love them. And I've made my peace with both of them because I know they both loved me. In their own way, anyway. But that doesn't erase the fact that they did a shitty job as parents at times."

Donna looks at him with surprise at what he had just said out loud. She remembers the conversation he had with Lily days before she died, where for the first time, to her knowledge, Harvey had admitted to the shortcomings of his father. Back then, Donna had wondered for weeks and months if he would ever bring it up in a conversation with her but time had passed and it had remained unmentioned. Until now.

"Well, if you ask me, you turned out pretty damn amazing," she returns, a loving smile on her lips as she brings up both of her hands to let them rest against his chest. "You are not your parents, Harvey. They might not have taught you all the right lessons, but sometimes, the wrong ones can teach you just as much. And the fact that you are aware of their mistakes is all the reassurance I need to know that you'll be an incredible father."

The wheels in Harvey's head are turning, as her words sink in; taking root in his gaze and spreading from there through his entire body. His hold around her tightens, and he carefully pulls her as close as her belly allows. Then he leans in again, kissing her gently for a second before pulling away, only to let his forehead rest against hers.

"I won't let you fail, okay?" Donna whispers, their warm breaths mingling in the tiny space between them. "Just like I know that you won't let me fail either."

"You would never fail. You're Donna," he reminds her with a low chuckle.

"I have failed before. And in case you forgot, my parents, and especially my dad, haven't been picture-perfect parents either."

As they pull apart slightly, Donna can see the hesitation on Harvey's face, while he is clearly looking for what to say. Just like Harvey had never openly criticized his dad, Donna hadn't done so either. Because for the longest time she hadn't wanted to see it, even though deep down she had always been very aware of the shortcomings of her dad. Denying them for all of her life simply had been easier and more convenient than dealing with the truth.

Only now, that she is carrying a child of her own, with all of the thoughts and worries that occasionally snuck in when the hormonal imbalance got the better of her, had it become clearer and clearer. Donna doesn't hold a grudge though, nor has she ever brought it up with her parents. But she can admit now that there are lessons she learned herself that taught her some about how to parent, but a lot more about how not to.

Her eyes focus back on Harvey again, who is still unsure of what to say.

"Go on, you can say it," Donna says with a wink while tapping against his chest in an attempt to lighten the mood.

"Say what?" Harvey returns confused.

"That you agree."

"That's not what I was gonna say," he replies. "All I wanted to say was that, yeah, they might have made some mistakes as well. But they love you. And at the end of the day, sometimes that's all that matters."

"You're right," Donna nods. "And we're probably gonna make our fair share of mistakes as well," she muses, a sheepish twinkle in her eyes.

"We probably will," Harvey chuckles, and the sound seems to evaporate the shadows on his face. "But like you said… we're in this together… and I know that our baby will be just as amazing at being my compass as you have always been."

"And the same way you have been mine," Donna replies, caressing the spot over his heart, that is beating strongly beneath her palm. "We've always had each others' backs. And I know that won't stop now. Especially not now."

Harvey nods tentatively at her. "I know. It definitely won't."

"Good."

"Good," Harvey returns, the heaviness slowly disappearing from his voice as well.

With her eyes still resting on him, Donna contemplates for a moment if she should release those next words that are tingling on her lips. The urge is overwhelming though and considering the fact that it's something she should have said a long time ago, she lets it out.

"I'm sorry, by the way."

Confusion instantly creases Harvey's forehead. "What would you have to be sorry for?"

"For all the times I treated you unfairly because of my dad," Donna replies, looking at him as apologetically as her words had just been.

Harvey immediately catches up and a tender and reassuring smile spreads on his lips. "Don't worry about it, Donna," he says and gently shakes his head. "It wasn't entirely undeserved."

"Yes, it was. You've always just tried to protect me and I never saw it for what it was. And the last time it happened I should have told you what was really going on instead of creating some make-believe drama where there was none. I just…" Her hand travels over his chest again in a soft caress. "What I'm trying to say is… I'm sorry, Harvey. And I do know where my dad went wrong and what I want to avoid in our baby's future at all costs."

They look at each other quietly for a moment, before Harvey nods, with the smallest of smiles appearing on his lips.

"At all costs, huh?" Harvey chuckles, and it takes Donna a few seconds to catch the pun she had accidentally let slip.

Shaking her head at him, his amused expression eliciting a laughter of her own. "It's good to know that your humor has returned. And that we can actually joke about my dad."

"Who would have thought…" Harvey muses, leaning in to steal another kiss.

Only that this time, Donna doesn't let him pull back so easily. Sliding her arms around his neck, she holds him close and the kiss deepens all by itself. The world stops turning, as it so often does, and it's him and her and them and it's perfect.

"You wanna go back to bed?" Donna whispers against his lips a minute later, already hoarse and breathless.

"Are you still tired?" Harvey asks concerned but equally out of breath.

"Who said anything about sleeping?"

A knowing glint flickers over Harvey's face, that immediately darkens under the rising sun. Without waiting for a reply, she intertwines her fingers with his and pulls him back into the bedroom with her.

~o~o~

Clad in t-shirts, jeans, and boots, they chase away the remnants of Harvey's rocky night with an easy hike through the woods behind their cabin a couple of hours later.

If anyone had told Harvey five years ago – hell, even a lot fewer years ago – that he would be taking copious walks, let alone go hiking, he would have heartily laughed at that person and moved on with the conversation. And yet, here he is, married to Donna, baby number one on the way, and they are hiking up a gradual hill, with outfits and boots that gave the impression they did this on a regular basis.

Which they do actually. Not on a regular-regular basisand notthe crazy kind of hikes that have steep inclines of thousands of feet, but they have indeed discovered the calming power of nature on lazy walks through forests and around lakes right outside of Seattle. Nature was always just a stone's throw away and they made use of that more weekends than not – at least when the weather allowed them to. Sometimes Mike and Rachel would join them, and they'd all enjoy the peace and calmness they always found there. On one of those hikes, the four of them decided that it might be a good idea to invest in some proper boots, which they purchased soon after; and both Donna and Harvey are grateful for it in this very moment because as the terrain gets a bit rockier and steeper, they know at least they are adequately equipped.

After walking beneath the trees for about an hour, they reach the peak of the hill. They hadn't really gained all that much in altitude but it is still enough to present them a spectacular view over the surrounding area. To their feet in front of them, there lies a wide wildflower meadow that is divided in half by the stony way leading through it. Down the hill to their right, the lake by their cabin lies quietly beneath them; the sun turning it into a sea of a million sparkling emeralds. And behind it, in the not so far distance, towering above it all, is a massive and impressive mountain chain that is perfecting the incredible picture.

A few feet further down the path, the couple finds a bench in the sun and they agree that it would be the perfect place for the little picnic they had brought with them. Harvey first hands Donna a fresh bottle of water, before he unpacks their sandwiches, as well as the boxes of apples and strawberries and places it all on the wooden platform between them.

They enjoy their snacks wholeheartedly, and once they are finished, they find a more comfortable position to get some additional rest. Donna leans against Harvey's side, while they both stare out over the lake and listen to the peaceful symphony that nature is creating.

"This place truly is magical," Donna sighs after a little while.

"It is, yeah," Harvey agrees with a nod.

"You think we'd ever have learned to appreciate nature like this back in New York?"

"Probably not," Harvey laughs. "Can you even remember a time when you made it past the city limits back then? Apart from when you went visiting your parents, I mean."

"Not really, no. But then again, I also never really felt the need to, you know?" Donna shrugs. "Now that we have it within reach though, I wouldn't want to trade it."

"Neither would I," Harvey instantly agrees. "I love that we get to have the best of both here. The liveliness and noise of a big city, but in the blink of an eye you can leave it all behind and enjoy peace and calm by the sea or find yourself surrounded by trees."

"It's one of the things I love most about Seattle as well," Donna concurs without hesitation.

Every once in a while, they find themselves in moments and situations where they would think and talk about New York and all the things they missed. Their friends and families being closer. Manhattan and Central Park. Gianno's pizzas and the Shitty Thai's place's whatever exactly it was they served. The Nets and Broadway. Their bar and their diner and Del Posto. Every once in a while, they remembered and they reminisced. And they had talked about it, too. About moving back. The first time a couple of weeks in, when things at the firm just didn't seem to want to fall into place like they had thought they would. And then again only a couple of weeks back, soon after they had learned they were pregnant. Because, sure, both would love to have their families closer while they raised their child.

But despite all the pros that a move back to New York City might possibly have, they aren't yet ready to give up the life they have built here. Their home. Their friends turned family. The peace and quiet and comfort they have yet to experience anywhere else.

Instead of Gianno's pizzas and the Shitty Thai place's whatever, they had DeLuca's pizzas or Rollof's burgers and their home-cooked meals. Instead of the Nets and Broadway, they had the SuperSonics and The 5th Avenue Theater. And instead of their bar and their diner and Del Posto, they had a new bar where they'd celebrated Harvey becoming a name partner and their pregnancy, and Agrodolce where they celebrated their first wedding anniversary and all other milestones since.

So after every discussion on the topic they'd had in the past, they had always quickly and wholeheartedly agreed: they are exactly where they are supposed to be.

~o~o~

"I still can't believe that we might not know the gender of our baby until he or she arrives," Harvey expels, entirely out of the blue.

They had been sitting by the outside fireplace on their patio for over an hour now; both exhausted from the day they've had but not yet ready to let it end. The moon is casting the surrounding area in its silvery light, while the sound of water and fire and crickets all blur into one peaceful hum.

"Well, our little bean here clearly inherited your stubbornness, that's for sure," Donna laughs, tapping against his chest teasingly.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Harvey shoots back and shakes his head in mock-confusion. Before Donna can reply, Harvey adds, "As if picking one name wouldn't already be exhausting enough. Now we actually have to figure out two. Just because the little one doesn't wanna let us have a look."

"Harvey, it's not like we have to pick a name right now. There is still enough time for that," Donna returns.

So far, they had only tried to talk about it once, just a couple of weeks ago. It had 'accidentally' come up during dinner after a long day at the office and the discussion had been anything but constructive.

"When is the next ultrasound appointment?" Harvey wants to know.

"About four weeks from now. And it'll most likely be the last chance to find out since it will be the final one until shortly before the birth."

"So we should definitely talk about a girl's name and a boy's name," Harvey states, as his hand absentmindedly traces tiny patterns on Donna's shoulder that is wrapped under a soft and thin blanket.

"We should do that anyway because even if he or she shows us the goods, there is still about a five percent chance that it might be wrong," Donna reminds him.

"I know, you're right," Harvey nods again, as he watches the fire dancing. "Okay. Uhm. Do you want to talk about it? Right now, I mean?"

"Do you?" Donna counters, looking at him with an eyebrow raised in question.

"If you are up for it, I think I could be, too."

"Sure. I mean, maybe this peaceful environment will help us get inspired?"

"We're not going to name him or her after a lake. Or a flower. Or a city, for that matter," Harvey shoots back earnestly but with the flames of the fireplace flickering in the depth of his amused gaze as he looks at Donna.

"You're an idiot," she laughs, lovingly boxing against his chest.

"So you keep saying," Harvey replies with a cheeky grin. "And I love you, too."

"Well, if you keep adding to the list of names we can't use, it at least reduces the pool of names we can use."

"Stop. All I ruled out so far are crazy Shakespeare names."

"Well, I don't think Desdemona is crazy at all. But what do I know," Donna shrugs, and only because she is such a great actress does she sound as serious as she does.

"Hey, you crossed off any possible Star Trek names, so I'd say we're even," Harvey replies defensively.

"That doesn't count and you know it. Because we both know that you would never call your kid Kirk, Uhura, or Hikura."

"How on Earth do you even know those names?" Harvey asks, surprised. "Have you watched Star Trek without ever telling me?"

"Do I look like I would ever voluntarily watch pointy-eared men flying spaceships?"

"Hey, the Star Trek franchise is one of the most successful franchises of all time. There is way more to it than pointy-eared men flying spaceships, thank you very much."

"Are you going to geek out on me now?"

Harvey looks at her threateningly for a second but then shakes his head to Donna's great relief.

"No. Don't worry. I think I can contain myself," Harvey returns. "You still haven't answered my question though. How do you know those names?"

"You don't think that listening to your intercom for fifteen years has taught me a thing or two? There was a time you couldn't shut up about Kobayashi Maru. I even dreamt about it once back then," Donna explains, shivering in pretend revulsion.

"Kobayashi Maru?"

"Captain Kirk. Remember? He wins a no-win situation by rewriting the rules," Donna self-assuredly quotes Harvey from all those years ago.

"I know what Kobayashi Maru means. I just didn't know you knew what it meant."

"Yeah, well. I listen. Always."

Harvey stares at her with awe in his eyes. "Donna Paulsen. You never cease to surprise me. Even after all this time."

"That's me. Full of surprises," Donna quips confidently and winks at him.

Her expression triggers a throaty chuckle before he leans in to kiss her and take her breath away. Not giving her a second to catch up, Harvey deepens the kiss, his tongue gently probing her lips; quietly asking for permission that for once she doesn't grant him. Instead, she presses against his chest and pushes him back.

"Hold your horses, Mister," she croaks breathlessly. "Didn't you want to discuss baby names?"

"You talking Star Trek has me inspired to do something else now," he replies suggestively, the darkness in his eyes once again sparking that fire deep inside of her.

"Maybe next time I can get a Princess Leia outfit, if it gets you inspired like that."

"That's Star Wars, Donna."

"So?"

"Different franchise."

"Star Wars. Star Trek. Sounds like the same thing to me."

"Oh my God. I've got some serious teaching to do once we get h-," Harvey returns exasperatedly but gets cut off mid-sentence.

"Harvey? Shut up and kiss me again," Donna chuckles.

"Aye, aye, Captain."

And he does and this time she doesn't push him away.

~o~o~

When Donna wakes up the next morning, it is not to an empty bed this time. Instead, she finds a very hot and very hard Harvey pressed against her back; his warming breath teasingly cascading down her neck.

A chill immediately spreads all over her body and blood starts rushing when she feels Harvey's lips on her skin.

"Good morning," he murmurs, voice still hoarse from sleep.

"Mhmm… morning," Donna replies, sinking further into his strong embrace, and the additional pressure elicits a groan against her shoulder. "What has you so excited this morning?"

"Apparently my subconsciousness wanted to make up for last night and conjured up a different kind of dream this time," he explains, rotating his hips against her with emphasis – not that Donna hadn't already gotten a good picture of how ready he was.

"Must have been one hell of a dream," Donna chuckles throatily.

"Oh, you have no idea," he whispers promising, the hand that had been resting on her stomach now beginning to draw lazy circles on her body.

It didn't take much these days to awaken the flames of desire, with each and every single one of her cells having turned hypersensitive once her body had adjusted to the life growing inside of her. No matter where Harvey touched her or kissed her, she could instantly feel it everywhere. Instead of getting lost in a haze of overwhelming sensations, however, the way it used to be before, every feeling is now sharp and magnified.

The way his tongue traces the tender skin behind her ear just then is like a million tiny kisses and touches on every inch of her skin and inside, all nerve tracts seeming to end in a tight coil deep within her. His hand sliding up and down her body leaves burning traces of need; every touch of his fingertips etched into the part of her body it had moved across.

Harvey gently pulls the strap of her nightie away, revealing another few spots of freckles and skin his lips can now hungrily devour. Unyielding heat is seeping from his front into her back; stoking the flames that are already raging inside of her, while goosebumps dance longingly on her skin as if it just wants to move that tiny inch closer towards Harvey in that never-ending desire to be touched.

Sometimes it's overwhelming, the onslaught of sensations and emotions; when there are too many of them to focus on at once, just like it is happening this morning. He has barely started touching her and yet Donna is already out of her mind with the craving to have him close. Closer. On her, and around her, and within her. Grinding back against him, Donna hopes that he would take the cue. But instead of speeding up, his touches and kisses slow down and Donna groans in frustration.

"Harvey, please…," Donna begs, and she can feel his chuckle vibrate through her that he stifles against her skin.

His next kiss on her shoulder morphs into an intense sucking, the sensual pressure in the crook of her neck sending a bolt of electricity from her head to her toes and right back up again. More blood is rushing through her veins, spreading her ever-consuming need like wildfire.

All of her senses are solely focused on Harvey and what he is doing to her, and she twists her arm to reach for his head; finding his hair in a desperate attempt to hold on. Harvey's hand travels down her side; the silky material easily aiding in the process, and when he reaches the hem, his fingers slide beneath it without a second of hesitation.

Her body is trembling with desire, as an enormous heat is pooling between her legs, which sends her center pulsating. He is close now. So very close to where she needs him. Donna grinds back against him again, desperately needing him to finally get moving, and as her butt slides teasingly against his hard bulge, it triggers another guttural groan that gets lost in her fiery waves.

His fingertips are dragging down the side of her thigh and every touch prickles like little fireworks erupting on her skin. He goes as far as he can reach before his palm slides to the inside and then back up again. In the movement, Harvey smoothly adds some pressure to pull her leg back, which he brings to rest above his thighs.

There is no doubt that it wouldn't take much longer now; the way in which his hip rotations turn jerkier and more vigorous a clear sign of his dwindling restraint. But there is still a little left, apparently, because she finds him sliding his hand further up her body instead of touching her where she needs him to. It only stops when it has reached her breast, fingertips circling her hardened nipple before he gently squeezes her flesh. A deep and carnal moan echoes through the room, while her own hip movements are getting more tantalizing.

Harvey's respiration is turning heavy as it puffs against her ear, seconds before his tongue traces the outlines of it, lingering at her earlobe for just a moment. With the next exhale, his heated breath on her wet skin is sending another shockwave through her system; that has her trembling and moaning. Just then, he releases her breasts, and this time, his hand finally doesn't take any detours but goes straight for her center instead. Her panties are already soaked with arousal and they quickly shimmy them down her long and slender legs.

Bared to him now, Harvey's fingers find her heat, and simultaneous groans are blurring in the silence of their room. Over-sensitized seems to be too weak of a decription for what Donna is currently experiencing, as every nerve ending feels like it's under an overpowering assault.

Her heart is racing and her skin is prickling and everything is too much and not enough. They are treading that thin line now where one more push or one less touch could send her into that place where it would all implode and end, just because she couldn't handle it all. But thankfully Harvey knows her and her body because he isn't just an attentive and caring husband but an attentive and caring lover just as much.

So he lets go of her for just a second and shoves down his boxer briefs far enough to free his length before he positions himself at her molten core. Letting his hardness slide through her folds, he coats himself with her desire and then ever so slowly eases into her body without further delay.

And then it's a different kind of rush and intensity. One that's blinding and fulfilling, ardent and impassioned. It's deep and driving and unhurried, yet vigorous and powerful and breathtaking. His hand is everywhere on her, never breaking skin-on-skin contact even once, despite all the clothes they are still wearing. His hips drive into her relentlessly, while his lips are doing all kinds of wonderful things to her shoulder and neck.

"I'll never get enough of you, Donna," Harvey groans into her ear, as his forefinger connects with her bundle of nerves, that instantaneously has her shivering in his embrace.

Donna's hand reaches behind him, fingers digging into his strained ass to spur him on. He doesn't need to be asked twice, speeding up his thrusts and ministrations in silent agreement.

"You feel so fucking incredible, do you know that?" He groans against her, but all she can reply is a whimpered 'Harvey'.

"So fucking incredible, my Love," he repeats, and Donna's breath hitches in her throat at the desire in his voice, that goes straight to her core and spreads a fervent current from there through her body; dissolving the air from her lungs.

"Oh god, Harvey," she moans, and every deep and intense penetration is pushing her closer to that point of no return.

The coiling is amplifying, as stars appear in her field of vision despite the early morning sun peeking in.

She feels full. Full of love and life and blinding happiness; full of Harvey and the enigma that is their bond. His movements lose their finesse the second her walls begin to flutter but undeterred, he keeps sliding in and out of her as his fingers and lips continue to do their intoxicating magic.

"Let go, Donna," he rasps hoarsely, withdrawing his length and then pushing back in just a tiny bit harder. "I've got you."

And that's all it takes, those final words and that final thrust, and her free hand reaches for the one locked beneath her neck, holding on to him as he drives her over the edge and into free fall. She's soaring on clouds and she can feel every single muscle strain and release and explode, while the pressure at her core sends a blinding light through her heart and soul.

Harvey keeps thrusting and it's only prolonging her own pleasure that much more, until he finally gives himself over to her as well.

They remain intertwined, physically as well as emotionally, for a long while after that;especially with Donna having a hard time catching her breath. It isn't until Harvey soothingly places his hand on her belly again, leisurely peppering her shoulder with unhurried kisses, that Donna's pulse finally returns to normal.

"You okay?" he whispers between pecks.

"Never been better," Donna sighs contentedly, as her eyes drift close. "And I definitely prefer waking up to this over an empty bed any day."

Quiet laughs reverberate through the early morning as they revel in the loving afterglow of their union.

~o~o~

The last night of the babymoon comes all too soon. And while they both would have loved to stay for just a little while longer, they are just as ready to go home. Exciting things await them: like finally clearing the office and turning it into a nursery. Going shopping for more furniture for said nursery. Finding a stroller. Buying more clothes. A few things, they had already taken care of, but there was still enough to keep them occupied until the baby arrived. And Donna couldn't wait to do it all.

On this last night, however, they plan to relish in the serenity and tranquility this place had offered them. Harvey had pushed the sunbed closer to the edge of the deck so that they would be out from under the trees, allowing them to get a clearer view of the stars that are already sparkling on the darkened canvas above them.

A thin blanket is draped over the couple as they take in the view. They both notice that the sky looks different than it did in the Caribbean, but it's not any less breathtaking or mesmerizing. They lie in silence, inching and wiggling until they find the perfect position in each other's arms. Their breaths soon adjust to the other; bodies and minds in balance.

"Did you enjoy your babymoon?" Harvey asks quietly, unwilling to disturb the silence that's settled around them.

"I don't think it could have been any better. You?"

"Same," he immediately agrees. "I mean, it could have been more perfect if you'd agreed to name our baby Uhura or Hikura, but apart from that it was incredible."

Donna slaps her palm against his chest and they both chuckle happily.

"As long as you don't grant me a Desdemona, Uhura and Hikura are off the table," Donna replies sternly.

"We'll talk about that some other time," Harvey suggests and presses his lips appeasingly against her forehead.

"Speaking of… I think our little bean is awake," Donna whispers, her eyes twinkling as brightly as the stars above, as she places her hand on top of her belly.

Harvey studies Donna's face for a second before he carefully pulls back from their embrace to crouch down on the sunbed. Bringing his head to the same level as Donna's stomach, he leans closer towards it.

"Hey, little one. How are you doing in there?" Harvey murmurs, placing his hand next to Donna's. "I hope it's as amazing as we are doing out here. Your mom and I had the most amazing babymoon we could have wished for. One last trip for just the two of us before you finally join us on our little adventure." Donna's heart swells at the excitement she hears in his voice. "Unfortunately, it's our last evening already. But going home tomorrow will also mean we're one day closer to you getting here, which definitely makes it okay."

Harvey looks up at Donna, who watches him, more in love than ever before. Her free hand reaches for his head to let her fingers slide through his hair in an affectionate caress. With a soft smile, Harvey focuses back on their little bean. "We're watching the stars right now. And we're once again mesmerized by how they twinkle and sparkle like little diamonds. The last time we saw them like this was on our honeymoon and each night, we got overwhelmed by the view as if it was our first time looking at it. And out here in the wilderness, it's been the same."

Harvey pauses, while he lets his hand slide beneath her sweater. Electric sparks are spreading from where they are touching and a surprised yelp escapes Donna's lips.

"Oh yes, definitely awake," Donna whispers in explanation, a smile growing on her face. "I can feel the flutter."

His warm hand continues to tenderly stroke her soft skin. "And one day, I'm gonna tell you all about the universe…. Not that I know a lot about it… but I can tell you all about infinity and weightlessness, about star constellations and planets aligning when that right person walks into your life; and about how the earth can shift on its axis when hands touch, and how the reality you knew can change in the blink of an eye," Harvey expels calmly and so matter-of-factly, that he leaves no doubt about the sincerity behind his words.

"That's pretty much all I know about the universe, but I've experienced it first hand when I met your mom for the first time, so you can trust me that it's real." He looks up at Donna again and even despite the darkness, he can see the tears in her eyes. He smiles at her, silently letting her know that he'd take care of those tears in a second; as soon as he was finished with his speech. "You'll be our perfect and miraculous shooting star falling right into our arms, completing our little family. And I promise you, I'll love you as infinitely as I love your m-"

Harvey doesn't get to finish his sentence because his heart stops in his chest and the words get stuck in his throat when he feels the tiniest kick beneath his palm. Instantly, tears fill his own eyes as well as he looks up at Donna again with surprise and shock and joy. It happens again, barely tangible but undeniably there.

"Did you feel that?" The look on his face mirrors the tone in his voice completely, infecting Donna as well.

"I did," Donna replies, visibly and audibly overwhelmed by what they had just witnessed.

"Wow. He's really in there," Harvey breathes as if he is just realizing for the first time that they were actually going to have a baby.

"She is really in there," Donna returns with a nod and a wink, as they share a knowing glance.

"Hello, little angel," Harvey says, this time in the direction of Donna's belly again. "I can't wait for you to join us out here. Until then, your mom is going to take good care of you in there, okay? Don't be a stranger though. I'm always here for a little boxing session with you."

They let their hands rest on her stomach for a little while longer, but apart from those two tiny kicks, the baby remains silent for the rest of the night; as if deliberately giving Donna and Harvey some more time to themselves.

And that's what they do; cuddling and kissing and talking in hushed voices – about how far they've come and how happy they are and how they can't wait for what's next.

Their babymoon may be coming to an end tomorrow, but the real adventure is yet to begin.

And Donna and Harvey are more ready than they have ever been.

~o~o~

The End

A/N: I hope you had at least a bit of the fun reading this that I had writing it :) I would love to hear your thoughts, if you have a minute or two to spare. Thank you so much everyone and I hope you're all safe and well and continue to be! XOXO Nat