Chapter One

Mike knew this day would come but this is certainly not how he pictured it. The last few months have found him and Harvey as actual friends, although Harvey still wouldn't admit it.

Over takeout late at the office, and eventually, a few beers during a baseball game to celebrate a successful trial, Mike was certain that Harvey was just as comfortable with him as he was with Harvey. Mike isn't stupid, he knows Harvey wouldn't let him barge into his apartment and ruin a good night of baseball and being away from his colleagues if he didn't actually enjoy spending time with him. As the friendship grew, so did his trust in Harvey (not that it was lacking all that much to begin with).

He only ever had one secret that he never shared with his boss and it wasn't because of embarrassment, it was absolutely anything but that, it just never came up. Sure, he should have brought it up a while ago but a part of his brain always chickened out when it came to bringing up the fact that he has a son. Honestly, his son is his life but when it came to Harvey, he really thought it was better to not tell him. He began to reconsider over the last few months since they were now actually friends instead of just co-workers. He always knew that Harvey wasn't particularly fond of children so it made no sense to bring it up before but he did have a plan to casually tell him sometime soon since he felt bad about keeping such a big secret from the older man.

Unfortunately, he procrastinated for too long and can no longer hide the fact since his babysitter just texted him explaining that she can't get him to relax and go to bed so she's dropping by Pearson Hardman to calm the boy down. He understands why she is bringing him here because Isaiah has been sick on and off for the past week and Mike had been getting constant updates via text messages throughout the day on his son's worsening moods that came with being sick. He knew she wouldn't be able to get Zay to go to sleep without his dad.

Unfortunately, or fortunately (less time to freak out), Mike didn't see the text that Becca was bringing his son to the office until a few minutes ago. Seeing that the message was sent over 30 minutes ago meant that they would be here shortly. The second he realized what this meant he froze in panic. It still wasn't that he was afraid of Harvey meeting Isaiah and learning about his existence, it's now dread because he has known Harvey for a little over a year and has been good friends for around four months and he still hasn't worked out the courage to tell him.

His mind was relentlessly going through all the possible scenarios that could play out instead of reading through the files, as he sits immobile from horror on his bosses couch. He only came out of his thoughts when Harvey cleared his throat and was staring at him with the obvious question gleaming in his eyes. Just looking up into his eyes, he knew he was out of luck, there was no more procrastinating, no lying, just owning up to the information he has purposefully withheld from Harvey for the better part of a year. He was getting shaky and he could tell Harvey was becoming concerned but he couldn't hold the older man's eye contact and instead stared at the ground, willing himself to find some courage to quickly explain to his friend what he hadn't before. As he slowly started to work his way to his first words there was a soft knock at the door.

HARVEY

He didn't know what had come over his associate, they were quietly working on the Preston files with his dad's soft jazz playing in the background when Mike looked at his phone and physically paled. He instantly was concerned for the younger man, instantaneously praying nothing happened to his grandmother. He quickly schooled his worry and gently gave him a questioning look that he knew the kid would understand. As he waited for Mike to look at him, he was still trying to calm his nerves and figure out why he was instantly so anxious for his associate.

He had never felt so worried from just a single look at someone who wasn't Marcus, Donna, or Jessica before. He has always worried about Marcus, he was his little brother and he always wanted to protect him. Donna and Jessica never showed that much panic and if either woman ever did, he most definitely had a right to worry. Really, the only way he can identify that the feeling in the pit of his stomach is concern is because he got the same feeling when Marcus was nine and jumped off the swing when it was at its peak and landed with an audible crunch and subsequent scream. The misshapen right arm lying helplessly next to his brother on the grass was enough to justify his worries.

The feeling only made him confused and bothered. He shouldn't be feeling anything towards his underling, let alone be that concerned for him.

He tried to tell himself that it was probably nothing and he should just ignore it but as he continued to wait for Mike's eyes, he couldn't push the feeling away. Finally Mike looked up at him and opened his mouth but before a word came out there was a soft knock at the door.

He wasn't tremendously upset at the interruption, but he wasn't happy about it either. He really wanted to know what Mike was about to say because he looked serious and his stomach was still knotted up with concern for the younger man.

At the knock, if it was possible, Mike's eyes grew even wider and he looked absolutely terrified.

He slowly turned his head to the door while trying to puzzle out who could be at his door. It is 9:30 in the evening and he was almost positive that him and Mike were the last people on this floor of the building. He hasn't even heard footsteps or seen any other lawyers in the past hour. Needless to say, he was completely drawing a blank on who it could be and why his associate looked as if he was about to pass out. When his eyes made it to the door, his confusion only grew. Instead of an elderly, annoying lawyer, in the doorway stood a girl around eighteen years old holding a little boy who couldn't have even turned six yet.

Before he could open his mouth to question the pair, the little shaggy-haired blonde boy with tired eyes slowly raised his head from the girl's shoulder and quickly began to wiggle his way out of the young woman's grasp at the sight of Mike. Once his feet were firmly on the ground, the young boy ran in a full-on sprint over to Mike and shouted "daddy!" along the way. To say he was confused was an understatement.