the story of us

ritual

Harvey spent most of his life trying to play as a womanizer, and although he won't ever admit: he's actually a hopeless romantic. Even when he and Donna weren't romantically involved he was full of thoughtful gestures towards her. They had rituals that Harvey appreciated too much. Among other things, they had the pre trial ritual, the dinner to celebrate the anniversary of Donna going to his desk.

The way Harvey cares about these dates —even him being the one who once told her "I didn't know you were one of those people who celebrate their niece's third graduation", makes Donna so unhappy and guilty for not being able to be on time to their special dinner. At the end of the day, almost in her time to go she had a work situation where she could simply run away. She texted Harvey, who's already at home waiting for her call to drive to the office and take her to the restaurant, saying she couldn't go anywhere and maybe she would be late. A few hours later she was still stocked with the situation and they'd lost their reservation.

Only around 8 o'clock she finishes her business and is able to make her way home. She isn't afraid of his reaction, she knows he understands. But it's their third anniversary. She expected to lose these celebrations maybe with thirty years of marriage, not three.

She opens the handle of the the front door, presuming to see her husband sitting on the couch watching some old baseball game, but to her surprise he's not. The living room is under ambient light, one of Gordon's songs is coming from the dining room where she sees a few candles lighting the place.

Before she can call for Harvey he appears wearing a black turtleneck, light jeans and a snickers with a glass of wine in both hands. "Right on time," he says as he steps towards her with a big smile on his face.

"What's all this?" she asks, putting her purse and trench coat on the cupboard, already freeing her feet from the high reels.

"Well, since we lost our dinner reservation I thought about doing something special for you. Here," he handles her glass and pulls her close to give her a long and affectionate kiss. "Happy third anniversary of the best decision of my life," he says, raising his glass

"Happy third anniversary to the easiest and happiest yes I ever gave to you," she says with a big, bright smile, touching their glasses and siping the red liquid.

"Hope I did justice to the Del Posto dishes," he says after swallowing the wine.

"I don't think so," she teases.

As they reach their dining room, they both place the glass on the table.

"I think we have a new ritual," she says as she wraps her arms around his neck and he pulls his hands on her waist.

They had to yet to come up with a new, not so cliche thing to become the anniversary ritual.

"You late to our dinner?" He teases, placing a gentle kiss on her neck.

"You cooking us dinner from our favorite restaurants," she explains.

"That sounds good. We can explore a lot of new restaurants. I don't think Del Posto has so many dishes on its menu. We have many years ahead of us to celebrate." He says, faking an annoying face. "You know we're going to be together forever."

"Are you asking me to marry you, Harvey?" She teases remembering an inside joke.

"Yes, No. I mean-.." He stumbles, recreating the moment they had years ago.

"Well, keep me asking. I'll always say yes!" She says, pulling him closer to give him a deep kiss.