THE PROPOSAL

CHAPTER 34 – The Gift

Thanks to everyone who has followed, favourited and reviewed this story. I am absolutely overjoyed by the response. It was only the second story I've ever written and I didn't intend it to be so mammoth, but I enjoyed writing it so much.

The sad news: This is the last chapter! I'm ending on a high note with lots of possibilities, but I think the story is now complete, with all ends tied up nicely. If you enjoy my writing, please pop over to my new story (The Best Part of Me) which is also going to be a great novel-sized read! I love a good multi-chapter, if you haven't all guessed already. Thank you all so much xxx

X X X

It had taken months for Harvey's shoulder to get back to normal. He'd returned to work – obviously far too early – and that hadn't helped. Weeks and weeks of physio followed until he'd finally gotten to the point where he no longer felt any pain. He'd even started boxing again.

It was coming up to six months since he'd been shot and in those six months he'd seen Julien Roche a number of times. It wasn't something he'd relished, but he was in Danbury and Mike was … correction … Mike had been in Danbury. Harvey had made sure he'd visited Mike every week after the shooting. Donna hadn't been able to go. She couldn't go to Danbury knowing Julien was incarcerated there too. Mike understood.

This day, in more ways than one, was going to be the best day of Harvey's life. Six months ago he had sat in a hospital bed fashioning a ring from a straw and asking his best friend, his soulmate, the person he loved more than any other person on the planet to be his wife.

Just as he'd suspected, she'd organised the shit out of their wedding. He hadn't had to do anything, but respond to what she'd decided they needed. Whatever she wanted for their day, was fine with him and he adored how much she was enjoying herself. She deserved this, in fact she deserved so much more. She probably deserved more than he was ever going to be able to give her, and that scared him, but he knew she loved him and wanted to be with him, so he was happy. He was determined to make her the happiest he could, determined to put the horrors of the past year behind them and determined this day would be the pinnacle of both of their lives.

To cap it all off. Almost a year since Mike went to Danbury he was now being released. Good behaviour combined with an outstanding record of helping inmates with legal matters had been spotted by the Governor of the prison who arranged for his early release. Better still. Anita Gibbs had waived his ban on practicing law and going to law school. Harvey had expected a fight when he decided to approach her, but he didn't need to. After the attempted rape trial she had seen the whole of Pearson Specter Litt in a new light. It was her way of making amends (still) for believing Julien in the first place, and for not foreseeing that the 24 hours she'd given Julien to report to Danbury would send him on an armed spree.

He and Rachel hadn't told Donna or the rest of the team that Mike was getting out today. Marcus, his brother, was all set to be his best man, but he had gladly stepped aside once Harvey had told him about Mike's release. He couldn't wait to see Donna's face. She'd been so happy over the past six months, but this was a whole different ball game. She'd missed him so much, but now, on their wedding day, the entire family was going to be back together. The firm was back at the top, the nightmare surrounding Julien Roche had actually worked in their favour. The media had reported the incident nationwide. Not only New York, but the whole of the country and beyond had heard the story about the heroic hotshot lawyer – the role he was born to play – fighting an armed gunman in defence of the woman he loved. He'd stayed away from interviews, but all the law firms and big businesses in the city knew the story and knew who it involved. Even Travis Tanner had sent him a note of congratulations. Pearson Specter Litt was no longer the bottom of the sludge pile with ambitious lawyers seeking employment. Now, just like before, everyone wanted to work there.

X

Harvey had almost finished getting dressed when he heard a knock on the door of his hotel suite. Fiddling with his cufflinks, he crossed the room and opened it, revealing a grinning Mike Ross on the other side.

"I can't believe you're putting me in a cravat," he laughed as he held up the bagged wedding suit in his right hand.

Harvey grinned. "I concede, the suit would probably look better with a skinny tie."

They both stood smiling at each other for a few moment before Mike stepped forward and pulled Harvey into a hug. "Good to see you, man."

Harvey hugged him back. "Does anyone else know you're out?"

"No, just you and Rachel. I'm going to be the wedding gift that keeps on giving, aren't I?" Mike chuckled as he stepped inside the room and dropped the suit down on a sofa. "I saw Rachel briefly last night before she left. She's here now … somewhere around this place with Donna. I can't wait to see Donna, Harvey. I've really missed her."

"And she's going to be thrilled to see you."

Mike couldn't resist. "Hey, do you think she's going to be more pleased to see me than she is you when she walks down that aisle?"

Harvey frowned comically. "Probably. Although she'll be wondering what the hell happened to your hair. You look like a freaking convict. Oh wait a minute … you are a convict. Now get your jailbait ass in the bedroom and get dressed. I've a wedding to get to."

"Get your jailbait ass in the bedroom?" copied Mike with a glint of mischief in his eye. "I hope you don't use that line on Donna later tonight."

"Very funny."

"I know." He laughed impishly. "I've had a long time to practice my one-liners. I could go all day. I am going to go all day."

Harvey stepped forward and shoved him playfully into the bedroom of his suite.

"Okay, okay, I get the message," he said. "You know, Harvey, I've had almost a year of sleeping in a cell I think I could get used to this place. How much did this set you back?"

"More than you could afford. And remember you're on parole. One word from me and you're back inside faster than you can say Prisoner 24601."

"What? Wait a minute … is that a Les Miserables reference? Harvey, what's happened to you? Musicals, theatre, is this all down to Donna? Has she made you into a …" he comically clutched his hand to his chest feigning a heart attack. "A husband?"

"Funny guy!" Harvey playfully batted Mike's arm before frowning. "She made me go see it with her."

Mike laughed out loud. "Oh my god, you've got it bad. You must have it really bad to put yourself through that."

"It was three hours of absolute hell."

Mike stood in the doorway of the hotel bedroom, his eyes beaming. "I've missed this."

"Me too," said Harvey. "Now … "

"Yeah, yeah, I know. My jailbait ass is going to get dressed."

X

Rachel Zane wasn't the best at keeping secrets, but she knew her life depended on her keeping this one. Both Harvey and Mike were clear.

She and Donna had stayed over in a suite at the opposite side of the hotel to Harvey and Mike and they'd had a fun, girlie night filled with facials, beauty treatments, manicures, but most importantly, lots of talk and laughter. Rachel was a fully-fledged lawyer now and Donna was so happy for her. Both of their lives were taking off – admittedly in different directions – and Donna had heard there was a possibility of Mike getting released soon too.

The morning had been hectic as hairdressers and beauticians had got to work in the suite, which now resembled a salon, the buzz of hairdryers and the smell of perfume and cosmetics filling the air. Rachel wasn't the only bridesmaid. Stella Bart had stuck around after Roche & Roche had pulled out of their partnership and she was now a junior partner at Pearson Specter Litt. Antonio had stayed too, of course. As had, very surprisingly and agonisingly (for Louis), Max Schmidt. All three were now part of their family and Donna was overjoyed that Stella had agreed to be her bridesmaid too. Harvey's twelve year old niece, Daisy, was the third bridesmaid and her mum, Harvey's sister-in-law, had brought her to the suite to get dressed first thing.

Rachel had been pleased that Donna had chosen royal blue Christian Dior bridesmaid dresses for them to wear. Briefly, she had succumbed to Donna's joke that she'd picked bubblegum pink retro-1980s dresses with hoops, but her gullibility had lasted less than 30 seconds. She knew Donna had amazing taste and the dresses were gorgeous. All three were silk and floaty tulle, but all three had subtle differences. Rachel's had very romantic split strappy sleeves while Stella's was completely strapless with a bodice that complimented her hourglass figure. Daisy's dress had simple straps which suited her age. They all wore their hair down and fastened with silver Tiffany hair accessories, while their dainty clutch bouquets were made from pink cala lilies.

The bridesmaids all left the suite's bedroom together and all gasped as they saw Donna in the adjoining room.

She was wearing a Caroline Herrera gown in ivory which clung to her body like a second skin, lace enveloping her shoulders and floating down her entire body into a glamourous 1930's style skirt which pooled at her feet and spread into a train. Her red hair was pinned to one side in a romantic, wavy pleat and curls cascaded around her face, softening the overall look which was accentuated by a Tiffany diamond-encrusted tiara and a very long, dramatic veil. Her bouquet of white lilies perfectly complemented the gown.

"Oh my god, you look beautiful." Rachel forced the tears to stay put. She didn't want to risk spoiling her make-up.

"Yeah, I know," said Donna as she checked herself out in the mirror. "But, you three don't look too bad either."

"I can keep this dress, can't I, Auntie Donna?" asked Daisy as she looked at herself in the full length mirror, her long brown hair falling to her waist in curls.

"Of course you can, sweetie." Donna beamed at Harvey's niece. She loved being referred to as 'Auntie'. She didn't have any nieces or nephews of her own. Her brother had proven himself as useless as her at procreating. Well … up till now. There was still time.

A knock at the door interrupted them. Stella answered it and recognised the red hair on the man facing her immediately. "You must be Mr. Paulsen," she said as she stood to one side and let Donna's dad enter the room.

James Paulsen was dressed in grey with a royal blue cravat matching the bridesmaid's dresses. He smiled widely as he saw his daughter. He didn't care much for Harvey Specter, but when he'd heard all about what had happened to Donna his heart had broken so badly that only the news of Harvey's heroics and his proposal had brought him through the other side. He couldn't bear the pain his baby girl has suffered, but he knew Harvey loved her and he knew he'd keep her safe. When it came down to it, her safety and her happiness was all that truly mattered.

"You look great, Dad," said Donna as she swallowed a lump in her throat. Her father's eyes were full of tears and he was lost for words.

"You too, baby, you too." James Paulsen stepped forward and pulled his only daughter into a strong hug.

"Is it time to go?"

"It most certainly is." James offered Donna his arm and they followed Rachel, Stella and Daisy out of the suite, on their way to the hotel ballroom.

X

What had started out life as a small, intimate affair had ended up being one of the largest weddings New York had ever seen, with almost 400 guests attending from all over the city including friends, family, colleagues, clients and practically everyone who mattered in the legal world Harvey Specter occupied. Oh, and there were a few theatre people in the mix too.

Harvey was even more inclined to go 'big' than Donna had been. He saw his wedding as a statement of his life's success, just like his penthouse, his flashy cars and his name on the door. Pink and white lilies where fastened to the hundreds of white lace trimmed chairs lined up theatre-style in the ballroom of the Waldorf-Astoria. Harvey and Mike were waiting at the front, with the extremely important role of usher being filled by Louis Litt.

Mike's entrance had been met by a few gasps from the lawyers in the audience. Robert and Laura Zane had been briefed by Rachel beforehand and were managing to smile through their understandable anxiousness about their daughter's relationship with a convicted felon. Harvey had noticed a few shocked reactions and mutterings, but he didn't care. He placed his arm on Mike's shoulder and let it be known to the world that the kid was his guy. And he'd always be his guy.

Jessica sat at the second row behind Mike and Harvey. As they sat waiting for the ceremony to start, she placed her hand on Mike's shoulder. "Welcome back, kid." They shared a mutual glance of recognition. Mike had been afraid to see Jessica when he first entered the ballroom, so he was relieved when she made the first gesture.

They enormous audience of guests settled into their seats as the music started to play. Donna had chosen an orchestral overture from Les Miserables to mark her entrance. Harvey groaned as he heard the all-to-familiar score. Mike chuckled. Louis started to sing along. Mike chuckled so much he thought he might pee himself.

X

Donna stood outside the door to the ballroom, her dad's arm holding her tight as her nerves started to get the better of her. She couldn't believe this day had come. She was in the Waldorf-Astoria marrying Harvey Specter. Thirteen years ago she would have had a heart attack on the spot if somebody had told her this was going to be her life.

She watched Daisy, then Stella walk through the door. Then, Rachel gave her best friend a kiss on the cheek and wished her good luck before taking her turn to walk through the door too. Donna prepared herself. She could do it. She was an actress. She loved attention. She was going to have 400 pairs of eyes on her and she was damn well going to enjoy it!

James Paulsen took his daughter's arm and guided her through the doors. "Break a leg," he said to her with a wry smile as they started their walk down the aisle.

She focused on Harvey. She could see him standing tall and proud, waiting for her as she walked and … and then she froze. She looked to one side and she saw him. Mike was there. Tears fell from her eyes as she brought her hand to her mouth, momentarily covering her face with her bouquet. She clung to her dad's arm as she came closer, she couldn't believe Mike was there. She hadn't seen him in almost a year and it was all she could do to stop her legs from buckling beneath her as she watched him standing next to Harvey, beaming with pride.

Harvey realised immediately that she'd noticed, so he brought Mike closer and placed his arm around the kid's shoulder for all the world to see. He had done what he'd promised himself so far. He'd made her happy and he'd made their special day one she'd never forget.

When she reached them she broke free from her dad and embraced them both. There were audible sighs from those members of the audience who knew the story. Then there were claps as some of those same people – Katrina Bennett, Harold Gunderson, Paula Agard and Jeff Malone to name just a few – rose to their feet in applause at the three-way-hug taking place front of stage.

Donna wiped her face carefully and passed her bouquet to Rachel, ready for the ceremony to begin.

The Officiant cleared her throat and waited for the audience to settle.

Harvey turned to Donna. "You ready to be Mrs. Specter, beautiful?"

"You can bet your life I am."

"Best day of your life?"

"Best so far."

"Let's get this show on the road, then."

The Officiant started the service and Harvey and Donna declared their love for one another in front of their world.