#suitsficlet

Even his stupid, bed-haired, bleary-eyed morning looks had never bothered me; in fact, they had probably only made my feelings grow stronger and deeper. The way his sun-kissed hair would stick up at all angles, defying gravity (and about another 300 other laws of physics) no matter how much he tried to re-arrange and adjust it, put a smile on my face.

He puts a smile on my face.

It was strange to think just how far we’d come in such a short space of time. When I’d asked Donna to find me another me, I had never expected  that she would do just that. It’s one thing to find someone you click with, but your actual soul mate? The person who makes all those old clichés about growing old together seem not so dumb after all? Of all the people I’d thought would be walking into the interviews that afternoon, I could never have seen him (and his surprising package) coming.

I’d been thinking for weeks about which of our stories I should tell during my speech. About how his determination to help others on the Liberty Rail case showed me how passionate, and compassionate, he could be? (I decided against that - not exactly the best memories for Donna) About how I felt when he introduced me to his Grammy for the first time, and had her telling me tales of Mike as a boy? (I couldn’t deny that she should be remembered, but it’s just about the easiest way to put a downer on the evening).

About how we met? Those are the kind of stories people like to hear at these sort of things, right?

I look at my watch. 25 minutes until I’m meant to be at the restaurant. Mike would kill me if I was late, even if I’ve already told him a hundred times it’s not my thing. Sighing, I down the Macallan in my refilled glass. It stings more than usual, so I muffle a cough. I use my pocket square to dab my watery eyes.

“Harvey…”

“Yeah?”

“I know this isn’t going to be the most fun evening for you to get through, but remember: you’re doing it anyway for the man you love”

Why does Donna always have to be right?

I hear her soft, deer-like footsteps as she steps through the doorway, and her playful laugh as she evidently anticipates what I’m thinking.

“Because I’m Donna. Now, grab your coat and let’s go already”

I straighten up my tie, and grab the card lying on my desk. After studying it again, I amend it slightly before stuffing it back into the envelope.

“Ray’s waiting downstairs, Harvey. We really need to get going”

I look around the office one last time, considering just how much my life, and Mike’s, will have changed by the next time we’re in this very room. When he walked into that interview, I sure as hell never saw us ending up here…

                                               * * *

As we pull up to the restaurant, it starts to rain. Donna’s too busy checking her make-up in her compact to notice that my hands have started shaking. Even after all this time, he still makes my blood rush. I never got nervous before I met Mike - though I never really opened up at all before I met him. He’s changed me, for the better. I’ve never been able to put into words the wave of blissful calm that comes with knowing you can depend on someone so implicitly.

Through the rain-streaked windows, I can see him; he’s never looked more beautiful than he has right now. Hell, Kodak should sponsor this moment. A glass of champagne in his left hand, dressed in his second best suit (second best only because we went for wedding suit fittings two days ago - a little early, but he got so caught up in the excitement of being engaged that I couldn’t say no). Not a single hair out of place tonight; clean cut, with his hair tousled and tamed, but his bow tie slightly askew. He has never looked more perfect to me.

I enter the restaurant, making straight for him.

“You never could get your bow tie to sit right”

His azure eyes sparkle with mischief, and he grins

“Well, if I could, there’d be no need to keep you around!”

I adjust his crooked bow tie, and step back, drinking in every inch of him

“Perfect. Oh, I almost forgot”

I reach into my coat pocket, pulling out the envelope I’d grabbed so hastily.

He sets his glass down on the table behind him, and slides the card out of the envelope. He flips it open, and reads it aloud

‘To Mike and Rachel,

Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness.