So I have finally felt inspired to write a new Darvey fanfiction. This story takes place three months after Rachel and Mike's wedding. Please read and review. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. I am very open to ideas people would like to see happen throughout this story in future chapters.
Mary :)
Chapter 1 - Escape to Seattle
Donna wheeled her suitcase outside the airport terminal. She had arrived in Seattle. Her first visit to Mike and Rachel since their wedding. Just what she needed right now, an escape. How she missed having Rachel Zane and Mike Ross close by. Sure, there had been numerous phone calls and video chats, but it just wasn't the same.
Three months had passed since the wedding of their dear friends and work family. Rachel had been delighted to receive news of Donna's somewhat impromptu visit. Although Donna knew Rachel sensed something was up these last few weeks, she didn't want to divulge her news over the phone. She needed to talk with somebody, although ironically the person she should be talking with was almost 3,000 miles away right now.
Donna glanced down at her cell phone having just remembered to turn off the flight mode, suddenly 5 missed called flashed up on screen 'Harvey'. She felt guilty postponing the inevitable, but right now she needed to get her head around things first. Before having to try help Harvey get his head around the news. In fairness, she had texted him to inform him of her quick trip to see Mike and Rachel ahead of her upcoming return to the office on Monday. She needed to prepare herself, maybe Rachel could steady her increasing nerves.
…..
Donna stood at the taxi cab rank breathing in the damp Seattle air. She noticed a couple with young children were getting into the first cab. Donna had a new found interest in watching family dynamics. The Dad had a little red haired girl in one arm and was attempting to fold up a stroller with the other. The mom was securing the eldest child, a boy with sandy colored hair into the back of the cab. The scene before her both terrified and excited Donna. Just then a taxi cab pulled up alongside her and ceased her day dreaming.
"Yes Miss" drawled the cab driver in a southern accent, noticeably out of place in these parts.
"146 Dorchester Avenue please?" Giving Mike and Rachel's new address to the driver. She had insisted to Rachel that she would make her own way there, not wanting to interrupt her friend's day trying to collect her from the airport in Friday lunch time traffic.
"Sure thing, here let me get that for you." The friendly older taxi driver got out and assisted her with her luggage.
He grabbed Donna's solitary case stowing it away into the trunk of the cab.
Just then Donna felt a familiar wave of nausea and dizziness wash over her, something she was growing accustomed to these past few weeks. She had made several trips to the airplane lavatory and even upon arrival had to seek out a washroom. She took a cracker out of her bag having read on the internet that they helped and now had a constant supply in her handbag.
Donna sat into the rear of the cab.
"First time in Seattle?"
"Yes … yes it is" Donna replied in a daze still dizzy.
She just didn't feel up to chit chat, but didn't want to appear rude.
As the car pulled away from the taxi rank, the driver continued his inquisition.
"Business ... or leisure?"
"Leisure ... meeting up with friends." In reality escaping her impending doom back in New York would be a more honest answer Donna figured.
Donna relaxed back into the cool leather seats, now more than ever grateful for the air conditioned cab and even more grateful that the cab driver had finally put the radio on, so she could now relax and delve into her thoughts.
The last couple of months had been tough on Donna and her family. She had taken extended personal leave from the firm. It had been the longest period of time she had been away. Away from the firm … away from Harvey. She knew they needed to have 'that talk'. Hell, it was long overdue. She could have never predicted her father suddenly becoming ill and fate transpiring against them, yet again. Now more than ever Donna knew that Harvey and her needed to discuss what had unfolded between them the night of Rachel and Mike's wedding. Was it a moment of madness under the influence of excessive alcohol and getting carried away with the wedding fever. Sure they had been drunk but the words they had exchanged that night, they had never been so honest with one another. Harvey apologizing for his behaviour after Donna's kiss. His realization that Paula Agard had been a way of escaping his true feelings. They had bared their souls to each other that night. They had connected in every way possible. He'd said those all important words to her 'I love you'. But then before there had been a chance to discuss things and have a morning after she'd received news that her father was in hospital. Immediately she had left to get to her father's hospital bed.
Since that night they had chatted by phone, exchanged words, pleasantries. Harvey had even visited Donna at the hospital where she held vigil at her father's bedside. There were other family members there. It just wasn't the right time to discuss what had happened between them. Then when her father had improved and she had assisted his return home there had been phone calls with Harvey but neither one attempted to broach the subject of that night. Neither one exchanging the words which needed to be spoken. Then things had become awkward and slightly strained between them in recent weeks. Donna loved Harvey, he was the one but the depth and level of feelings scared her to death. The ease of that night had now been replaced with uncertainty of their evolving relationship and a fear of losing him.
...
Just then Donna was pulled from her thoughts.
"Here we are Miss, 146 Dorchester" the driver stated in an upbeat manner.
Donna exited the vehicle thanking the driver with a generous tip.
Donna smiled at her environs, a street of modern red brick homes, a leafy green suburb, she could see why Rachel had fallen in love with the place.
She wheeled her case up to the door and before she could press the bell the door flung open and Rachel emerged beaming and enveloped her into a hug.
"Donnnnaaaa" Rachel was ecstatic.
"Hey Rach ... miss me much?" Donna joked. Hugging her friend, she felt better already.
"Wow ... your house!." Donna exclaimed breaking apart and taking in her surrounds. "I've seen the pictures, but my God they don't do it justice."
Donna could also see her friend had never looked better. Married life definitely agreed with her.
Already Rachel could sense something had changed in her dear friend. She couldn't quite put a finger on it. But something was definitely different. Donna looked tired, and had her style changed. She took in her friends attire, black skinny jeans and a loose fitting knit sweater, also black. Donna's spark was gone, she appeared subdued in recent phone calls and video chats. Rachel tried to dismiss it from her mind, but the nagging feeling returned upon seeing Donna in person.
Rachel took her friend's bag and ushered her into the large open plan living area. It was light, bright and furnished with soft neutral tones, it was Rachel.
"As soon as you said you could make it this weekend I decided to take Friday off, Mike was going to but then an emergency case came up; he'll be here for dinner tonight, he can't wait to see you."
"How is your Dad now ?" Rachel asked cautiously, knowing that his stroke and recovery had taken its toll on her friend.
"He's doing better, much better …."Donna started to tear up. "Rach, thanks for all the calls, they really helped get me through ..."
"You know Rach, I nearly lost him … it's made me reconsider things …. reconsider my life …. What's important?." I was working so much, all those years, I'd not taken the time I should have with him."
"I can only imagine Donn, I wish I could have visited you."
"Rach … you did over and above what any friend would do …. Thank you so much." Donna gave Rachel a squeeze on her arm. She adored her friend and her compassion.
"So how about I get the official tour?, you know video chat tours just don't cut it," Donna giggled remembering Rachel's attempt to give a virtual tour of her new home. It had been a welcome distraction when she was busy minding her Dad. Now she wanted even more distraction.
Rachel smiled, happy to see her friend smile and joke, the old Donna reappearing.
"Sure thing, follow me," Rachel took her friend's hand excitedly wanting to share her new home.
...
After the tour of the house, Mike had called, yet another emergency had arisen at work so he wouldn't be home in time for dinner, but he insisted Rachel and Donna start ahead of him.
Rachel took the pastabake from the oven and brought over a bottle of Malbec to the counter.
Donna knew this moment would come. She considered asking for more water instead.
Rachel poured Donna's glass and then her own.
They clinked glasses … Donna set her wine glass down timidly on the counter top, awaiting the inevitable interrogation from Rachel "Cheers …. to good friends and honory family." Rachel stated beaming, happy to have her sidekick and best friend back .
They both tucked into Rachel's delicious vegetarian pasta bake. Donna was delighted and relieved that her appetite was returning for dinner.
Rachel looked worriedly at her friend "Donna you haven't even touched your wine …. What's happened to my Harriet Specter?" She knew something was brewing on Donna's mind and decided now was time to broach the issue before Mike got home. Girl time to talk.
Donna couldn't help but smile at the well meant joke. Her friend had zero idea what was going on. But now, now it was time to be honest. Practise the words on Rachel which needed to be said to Harvey. God knows she needed to tell somebody.
"Lets just say Harriet Specter is gonna have to be teetotal for the foreseeable future …. at least ... the next 6 months." Donna looked squarely at her friend waiting for a reaction.
Then finally the penny dropped for Rachel, suddenly gasping ... noooo ... surely not ... she took her delicate hand to her mouth in utter disbelief.
"Jeeze Donn …. Are you saying? ...what I think you're saying?" Rachel asked timidly, threading carefully.
Rachel waited for her friend to refute it as preposterous, but no such response came. She knew there was something bothering Donna these last few weeks, but this honestly had not featured in her mind as being the reason.
"Yep … I am …..I'm pregnant Rach" …. Donna uttered the words for the first time aloud and cupped her newly emerging belly beneth her deliberately loose fitting sweater with care. "Three months to be exact."
"Oh my God ... Donna" she gasped immediately getting up from her seat an enveloping her friend into a hug."
"This is HUGE!"…..
"Tell me something I don't know?" Donna joked, a relief washing over her that she had opened up to her friend.
"But how? ….. who? …" Rachel was shocked, but didn't want to offend her friend in this sensitive matter.
"Let's just say, I'll forever be a maid of honor bestman hookup cliché?" Donna added smirking waiting for another penny to drop with Rachel.
"You mean ….nooooo … Harvey ...YOU and Harvey?!" Rachel gasped in disbelief. Sure, she knew they were secretly in love with each other, a person on the sidewalk could see that, and she knew it was only a matter of time before they hooked up, but this, this was not something she had expected to hear from Donna. She had no idea this was the secret her friend had been keeping for weeks.
"Yep ...Harvey is the father," also the first time Donna had uttered those unbelievable words aloud. It must be an alternate universe.
"So you two finally got your shit together?" I knew you too were doing some serious moves on the dancefloor that night. Soooo ... it obviously wasn't just the dancefloor?" Rachel teased.
"Lets just say we had quite an amount to drink, Harvey came to my room for a nightcap, at least that's what we told ourselves. He opened up to me finally AND before we knew it we were ... well you can guess the rest." Donna wanted to keep the exact details private.
"Wow ..."Rachel was still taking it all in. "I knew there was something on your mind, but Donna I honestly ... never considered it was this ..."Rachel admitted.
"Rach ... I honestly didn't think of birth control, I mean I came off the pill, I wasn't in a relationship for a while so figured I'd take a break from it. It's not like me to forget ... EVER. Then with my Dad's stroke the next morning, that took up my thoughts I guess." Donna reasoned aloud how she had come to this predicament.
"Of course it did," Rachel didn't want her friend beating herself up about this. Even she and Mike had had their careless moments in the past.
"So how is Harvey taking this?" Rachel couldn't imagine Harvey a Dad.
Donna looked at Rachel, another moment of truth beckoned. "He doesn't know ... not yet." She admitted with slight guilt.
"Donna, wow ... you mean ... you've been dealing with this all on your own?" Rachel touched her friends arm, she really felt for Donna. Imagining how she would cope without Mike's support.
"It's OK Rach, I need to come to terms with it I guess, before I drop this bomb on him!" She knew it would have to be revealed all too soon. She was already showing, especially being pregnant with twins, hiding it really wasn't an option. On Monday, she would have to face the music and face Harvey.
"Why not?" Rachel asked curiously, imagining that if she was pregnant she would have to tell Mike ASAP.
"Because ... I just found out ….. and I'm still adjusting to the idea … How will Harvey react?"
"AND … it gets more complicated." Now another shock for her friend she thought.
Rachel tried to adjust her tone but to no avail, failing miserably.
"MORE complicated …? Rachel could not imagine how in heaven this could get any more complex.
"Its not BABY Rach... its BABIES, "…. Donna stated matter of factly almost still in disbelief of her new reality.
Rachel's jaw dropped, all sense of appearing nonchalant to her friend's stunning news forever evaporating.
"You mean TWINS ... ?"
"Yes TWO, suppose should count myself lucky it's not sextuplets." Donna joked in a self deprecating manner.
"Rachel I should be suing, what was in the free wine the night of your wedding!?"
Rachel could see her friend was trying to deflect with humor.
"So he will probably, no most definitely freak the shit out, in fairness to him ... it still freaks me out too." Donna admitted.
"Oh Donna ….." Rachel's face was a mix of shock and pity. She suddenly realized it and tried to think of something positive to say.
"Wow …TWINS ...THREE MONTHS ?….." You look fantastic!" a small white lie never hurt anyone.
"Rachel, you're my best friend ... you can be honest ... I look tired, puffy even, my designer clothes don't fit me anymore ... but on the upside my boobs are bigger than ever."
"You know, I didn't even realize that I was pregnant until last month" I guess I've never been regular …. Plus my Dad's stroke …. Then last month I began feeling dizzy and throwing up; SURE I had felt bloated and put on some weight, I guess I just figured it was stress and my Mom's cooking."
Rachel listened with empathy.
"I mean I'm pushing 40 ….. And it was just one time …. Well several times … but one night." Too much information she thought suddenly.
"So that stuff they tell us in Sex Ed class is actually true …. It can be just one time !" Rachel tried to lighten the mood, it had always worked in the past for them in difficult situations.
They both laughed momentarily.
"Yep ... ONE TIME, go figure!" Donna uttered quietly, appearing deep in thought.
"Donna … how are you feeling about it all ...?" Rachel needed to know her friend was OK.
"...Still coming to terms with it I guess …. I mean its such a shock …. I'm 40 years old. If I did have dreams of this, I just thought it wouldn't happen at this stage."Don't get me wrong Rach, I used to dream of a family … white picket fence … the works …. then work took over …. You know the rest."
Rachel interjected taking Donna's hand…. "Donna ... I'm here for you …please know that. And wow, Mikes gonna be psyched … he flew the nest so Mom and Dad are going to have a new baby." More attempted humor.
Donna looked at Rachel and smiled, loving her friends attempt to lighten her mood. It really was working. It felt like the good old days at the firm.
"So ... How does Harvey even feel about kids or having a family?" Rachel found it difficult to imagine Harvey Specter as a Dad, although she would never admit it to her friend.
"I have ZERO idea Rach …. You know, I know the man inside out, but this topic funnily enough has never come up. Sure, he loves spending time with his brother's kids, once in a blue moon, but this, this is different. What ... what if it's something he doesn't want ... that night together ... it was amazing and now ... now I may have ruined everything. With my Dad's illness we got put on the back burner, never got to discuss it properly and now ... now its like we've lost control over the situation." Donna appeared subdued and worried once again.
"Donna, you should not be feeling guilty over this. Harvey is part of this as much as you are... he loves you ... sure it may come as a shock. I think twins might even shock Mike if it was happening to us, but Donna, you are going to be fine. I just feel it ... I know it."
"How can you know that ... I'm DONNA and believe me I don't even know that." Tears were forming in her eyes as she sniffled.
"Do you believe in fate? Rachel quizzed suddenly ... you know as in meant to be ?"
Donna was taken aback at the question "I dunno , I guess, I don't really give it much thought ever."
"Well I believe ... and fate ... things that are meant to be ... that's you and Harvey." Rachel stated with certainty. The words brought comfort to Donna and she smiled ... "Oh Rach I've missed you and your optimism" . Any houses for sale in this area?" .. she joked, although she was actually half serious.
"Seriously Rach, thank you, it's such a relief ... to finally tell you." Donna had tears in her eyes, emotion taking over.
"Now you have me all emotional, God Donna, I've missed you ..." Rachel sniffled back the tears as best she could.
"Me too hun, me too. " Donna wished she'd told her friend sooner and had support these last few weeks.
Just then the door opened, Mike was finally home. "Hey guys, what have I missed?", noticing the two ladies all emotional before him.
Donna was looking forward to catching up with Mike, but she was also glad that she'd had girl time with Rachel to get her big secret out in the open finally. She felt a huge weight had lifted from her shoulders. She'd take the weekend with her friends in Seattle and worry about telling Harvey on Monday.
...
So folks that's Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 will feature a surprise guest ... any guesses ?
Remember, I would greatly appreciate reviews and any suggestions or ideas. Even if you see mistakes I'll edit them. Thank you so much!
Mary :) x