Hi All! I seem to be rolling on this particular one and I am thinking one more chapter so you can really see what Harvey had cooked up for he and Donna. Shout out to FairyClairey who seems to be my biggest fan! Love you for that. Sincerely I love all of you guys in the Darvey Fandom and those who take time to leave a review. It actually helps to me motivated. So here's the latest on this one... please R&R.
Mr. and Mrs. Specter: The Separation
Chapter 7
Ding! The elevator had opened on the bottom floor. Luckily no one was standing in front of the doors when they opened because Harvey was still getting dressed. He was having a hard time keeping himself comfortable. He had to beg Donna to stand across the small space while he recovered like a teenager not a mature of man in his early fifties.
"Donna, you really have to stand over there and stop...put your panties back on..." Harvey begged.
"Can't take it big fella?" Donna tempted him. She loved to tease him because she apparently still could wield her sexiness over him like the seductress she was. She continued to grab his rounded butt and nuzzle his neck and hold him from behind where she could press her breasts against his back.
"Oh, you've done it now, Missy. Wait until we get home!" Harvey had responded and pressed her up quickly against the back of the car and made it plain how much she was still arousing him.
She looked down at his groin and whispered, "Zip it up, sweetie. Save it for later, baby" as she caught his lips in a soul searing kiss.
The on-call elevator maintenance man had said to Harvey on the emergency phone as the elevator started to descend:
"You should be good to go. I have Car #4 to work on, so when you get down to ground just hit to go back up. Looks like no one is going anywhere. My wife's gonna kill me."
"Thank you," Harvey said with difficulty into the emergency phone between fending off Donna's amorous affections and buttoning up his trousers.
Harvey took his wife's hand and their eyes were caught with the wild winter weather blowing around outside. Harvey looked at his watch and the time was now 4:30 pm. They had been caught in the elevator for approximately 45 minutes.
"Oh, Harvey, I don't think we're going anywhere for a while," Donna said with alarm. The lobby of the building was very cold with the wind whipping through the revolving doors and blowing down the long corridor of elevators. She and Harvey continued to walk forward into the lobby hand in hand focusing on the snow whipping around and the six inches now lying on the ground with more falling so fast the NYC road crews could not rid the streets and sidewalks quick enough. People who had to be out were slipping and sliding and being blown about from the blizzard winds.
Donna looked over at her husband and reading her mind had taken his phone from his jacket pocket and was dialing home.
"Kate, it's Harvey," he said in a rush.
"Hi Harvey. Are you with Donna?" Kate asked.
"Yes, I am. We're still at the office. It looks like a blizzard outside here. How is it there?"
"Don't worry. All the children are just fine. It's been snowing here since Donna left earlier this afternoon. We must have at least eight inches on the ground. Kids are loving it. Tell Donna they were bundled up and Marcus and I had a ball with them out there."
"Thanks, Kate. Look, I am not sure we're getting home to West Chester tonight but we both have our phones if you need us or if the kids just want to talk with us. We'll be home sometime tomorrow, I suppose," Harvey said nodding at Donna all the while to assure her that their children and everyone at their house was just fine.
"No problem. Just remember next time you're in Boston you reciprocate, ok?"
Harvey had put the phone on speaker, so Donna could hear as well.
Donna smiled and nodded as she said, "No problem Kate. Tell the kids we love them, but call us if you need us. Love you."
"Love you, too," Kate said as she hung up.
"What does the weather say?" Donna asked as Harvey scrolled through his phone.
"It looks like we're stuck here. No one is allowed on the roads. So we can't even return to the condo without endangering Ray and I'm not doing that."
"Of course not," Donna said. She found Harvey's hand again and clasped it tight and laid her head on his shoulder.
"Let's go back to the festivities," Donna said. "At least we can eat unless all the associates devoured everything."
"I am always amused at how hungry you are after we make love," Harvey said.
"Look who's talking," Donna rolled her eyes. "I always find you raiding the refrigerator at home."
"Be careful, I'll be raiding you again after we go upstairs."
"Mmmm, we'll see," Donna said out of the side of her mouth.
As they continued to walk back toward the elevator bank, Harvey asked, "By the way, you must have spent a fortune on the food up there."
"What do you care? Robert will be taking over soon and from what I understand from Rachel and Katrina, Robert doesn't have a problem spending money where food is involved. You do remember that Rachel is a foodie. Besides I can explain it to him. I am COO."
Harvey stepped into the elevator first and turned around still holding his wife's hand.
"Yes you are." Harvey pulled Donna into the car with him.
"You know what else you are?" Harvey said pulling Donna into an embrace and brushing Donna's red hair away from her face.
"What?" Donna asked smiling sidewise knowing either a compliment or a smart remark was forthcoming.
"You are my wife, the COO of my heart, and the captain of this ship," Harvey said looking into Donna's eyes. "And I love you and am in love with you for eternity, so you never have to worry about me turning to someone else."
Donna had lowered her eyes embarrassed and warmed all at once at Harvey's declaration.
"Thank you, Harvey. For the record, there's no one else for me either. I did bring Mark here to make you jealous. He actually told me he didn't mind whoring himself out once in a while."
Harvey sniffed a laugh. "I've used that line once or twice in the past about myself but it wasn't to make someone else's husband jealous."
"I hope not. It never will be, right?"
Harvey then kissed her long and gently. Much different than their fierce hard kisses earlier when they were in the throes of passion.
The elevator dinged and the doors opened onto the 50th floor to Rachel and Mike standing in front of the them. Harvey and Donna were still deeply kissing when the door had opened. The first thing to bring them out of their moment was the sound of Mike's applauding hands.
"Whew! Let's hear it for the COO and the interim managing partner!"
Mike's overbearing applause was not going to deter Harvey from answering his wife's question. He looked her directly into her eyes. "Never."
"Mike what are you five? No, you're drunk, aren't you?" Harvey asked stepping out of the elevator still holding Donna's hand.
"We were looking for you," Rachel said ignoring her husband's antics. "We were hoping you had not called Ray in the middle of this blizzard because according to the The Weather Channel all of NYC is down. No one can get in or out of the city."
Harvey looked at Donna and she smiled back at him. "Yeah we know."
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Since the news that Manhattan was cut off from traffic inside and out, there was nothing else to do but wait for the storm to end. The restaurant located on the bottom floor of the building had not closed and was open through the quarantine, and the manager was very happy to accommodate any tenant who ran out of food in their own kitchens. Donna had received a call from the restaurant manager who was making sure his foodstuffs would not go to waste before the next day, so PearsonSpecterLitt was the recipient of part of their fare. In another words there was food and drink that would last longer than the three hours that Rachel and Gretchen had arranged.
Music was being piped through the offices and eventually everyone was steeped in Christmas Spirit. The younger associates, with permission, had cleared out one of the large main conference rooms and decided to hold a dance there.
"Hey Harvey," Mike said as he noticed Harvey walking back toward the Partners' Kitchen.
"What can I do for you?" Harvey asked not stopping his swift pace. Donna had said she would grabbed him some food and then head to the Partners' Kitchen which was usually the most quiet place one could find. "Donna's waiting for me."
"This will only take a minute," Mike asked. "The younger associates got permission from Donna to clear the main conference room and set up a dance party in there. The piped music isn't exactly conducive to dancing, so I thought maybe Harvey Reginald Specter, our acting Managing Partner, would open his cold heart and allow us to use his turntable and maybe delve into the plethora of his music collection and find something appropriate?"
"Mike! Wait a minute. Cold heart? I don't have a cold heart. In answer to your question because of how you asked: No! What's wrong with someone using their playlists and running a phone amplifier through it?"
"Aw, come on, you're old school. I promise I won't allow anything to happen to your turntable or records. I swear on my responsibility of being a Junior Partner."
Harvey had stopped and smiled. He was so happy that he and Donna had reconciled that he was willing to grant Mike be managing partner at the moment.
"Sure. However, I need it back in a couple of hours. I have my own plans. So I want it back in my office at 7:00 pm along with my records. Leave them on the table since I know they will be out of their precise order."
Mike saluted and said in his imitation of Scotty from Star Trek "Aye Cap'n". Mike ran off excited in his own way. Harvey looked behind him and smiled. It had been a long time since Harvey had been that excited about a dance. Harvey, excited for his own purposes, turned on his heel and resumed his swift walk to the Partner's Kitchen and Donna.
However, when he arrived there, two other unexpected people were speaking with his wife. He approached the threesome trepidatiously.
"Mark, Zoe, I guess you guys got stuck here before they closed the streets?" Harvey asked not hiding his disappointment that he would not be alone with his wife after all.
"I'm sorry, Harvey. It seems my bad luck hasn't stopped since I arrived in America two months ago," Zoe apologized. "I could not find you but ran into Donna and she welcomed Charity and I to some food and shelter."
"Where is your niece?" Harvey asked.
"Mike Ross took her under his wing and she is in with the associates who are having a Christmas Dance of sorts."
"Ah aha," Harvey said quietly and smiled thinly. He eyed his wife and she gave him a "What was I supposed to do?" look.
"Mark," Harvey said and showed he was none to happy to still see him lurking around. "What happened to you?"
"I was here already. I never tried to leave. I was talking shop with Katrina getting to know my new lawyer. She's very good. Leave it to Donna to choose the right lawyer for the job."
"Yes, Donna has a certain knack for that," Harvey said eyeing Donna back with a "What are we going to do now? look.
Harvey looked down at the table and noticed it full of food enough for four people. So it looks like Harvey and Donna would have to resume their intimacy later which fell into Harvey's plans anyway.
"So, let's all sit and eat. I'm starving," Donna remarked and she watched as Harvey almost spit his sip of water across the table.
"Oh Harvey, are we choking on water now?" Mark remarked placing a hand on Harvey's shoulder ready to pat his back in the event he needed it.
Donna smiled and Harvey looked back at her while his coughing fit ended. You're paying for that one, Mrs. Specter.
"I'm fine," Harvey said wiping his mouth with a napkin and then reached for his food.
Zoe, Mark, Donna and Harvey began to eat their catered food. Donna was happy to find some beef in the form of butter steaks for Harvey. It was not his usual cut that he enjoyed after making love but Donna was sure it would be enough. Unfortuately, Zoe had found her while she was in the buffet line and had partaken of the same fare.
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"Donna?" Zoe had addressed her.
"Zoe," Donna had straightened when she saw who had called her name. "I thought you were on your way to a hotel."
"So did I, but it seems they were all booked between the holidays and the inclement weather so Charity and I are stuck again. So Ray drove us back here. I think he came upstairs with me. I did not think you would mind. He is going to do try to get home himself."
"Well that's nonsense. I'll find him and let him know it's ok if he wants to hang out here until we 're allowed out on the streets," Donna responded looking for Harvey's driver. Although she's been Harvey's wife for eight years and was the recipient of Ray's services years before that, she still did not see Ray as an employee. Neither did Harvey and that was what made Harvey so special. Donna had never been treated strictly as an employee either by Harvey before she married him. When Harvey Specter found you a value to him, his loyalty was shockingly solid. I guess I really should have remembered that before I put us through hell these last few months.
"Donna, could I speak with you for a minute?" Zoe asked.
"Look, Zoe..." Donna said straightening again looking straight in the eyes of the tall blonde woman who was always kind to Donna and if not for herself was rooting for her to become Mrs. Harvey Specter. Zoe was always a better match than Scottie. Zoe is down to earth, like me, and would willing show Harvey that work was not everything in life that losing in competition was all right and would call him on his shit when his ego outweighed good sense. I know she had a soft spot for him and she would love to have had a relationship with Harvey much like I had always yearned but denied that to myself until the day I knew Harvey would ask me to marry him. However, now...
"Donna?" Zoe had asked again.
"Sure, Zoe, I was just going to bring a meal into the Partner's kitchen for Harvey and me; so we can go in there."
When they had arrived at the door, Zoe opened the door for her as both Donna's hands were full.
"I don't remember the firm going all out for Christmas like this while I was here," Zoe had remarked removing her coat and sitting at the table where Donna had placed her and Harvey's food plates.
They sat down but neither took up an utensil to begin eating. Donna said she was waiting for Harvey who had had something to do while she obtained food. Zoe had folded her hands and looked Donna in the eye. Did Donna always look like this? I can't remember. She was always protective of Harvey and dressed impeccably but since she became COO she stepped it up a notch. Looking at her now, I don't think anyone could compete with this woman for Harvey's heart. He always wanted her it was just he was in so much denial and needed her so badly. I need to clear the air before I go back to England. So here goes...
"Look, I know you and Harvey have been separated since what happened back in October. I just wanted to reassure you that I never had any intentions of starting anything with Harvey once I knew he was married. I want to apologize for any part I have played in this separation of yours. That's not like me. I don't set out to break up marriages. It was just a momentary reminscence of what could have been set up after wanting to thank Harvey for his kindness to my niece and me."
Donna looked at Zoe who was dressed for travelling in jeans and a flannel shirt with heavy boots rather than any of her "lawyer" dresses which accentuated her long tall height. Donna watched Zoe's moon round face and brown eyes loose their sparkle as she apologized. Zoe was sincere unlike Harvey's other ex Scottie.
"There's no need to apologize. I was not blaming you, Zoe. I know you're not like that. I was more mad at Harvey because the way he explained it to me he was the one who was tempted to continue until he spotted the wedding ring on his finger," Donna said. "It was like a kick in the teeth. He simply said he forgot."
"Forgot what?" That's when Mark had found Donna in Zoe's company. He also held a plate in his hand.
Donna stood and then Zoe. "I don't think you two know each other? Zoe Lawson, Mark Meadows...Mark, Zoe," Donna introduced.
Zoe and Mark shook hands and then Mark asked, "Okay if a lonely guy joins you two ladies?"
"Of course, Mark" Donna said and invited him to a chair at the table. "I'm expecting Harvey any minute, so there'll be two of you."
Before they all sat back down again, Donna was relieved to see her husband walk in.
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They ate quietly in an uncomfortable silence. Mark, of course, not really knowing that Zoe was the one which caused the rift between the Specters in the first place was the first to speak.
"So, how many children do you have now?" Mark asked looking at Donna.
"Three," Harvey said simultaneously with Donna.
"Zoe has a child, too," Harvey volunteered.
"A son, right?" Donna asked.
Zoe swallowed her food. "Yes, he's five."
Mark not trying to be insensitive but had no knowledge of Zoe's predicament.
"So are you divorced like me?"
"No, Mark, she's a widow. Her husband died," Harvey interjected seemingly to rush to speak for Zoe.
"Harvey, Zoe can speak for herself," Donna said taking umbrage that Harvey rushed to Zoe's defense.
Zoe spoke up then, "Yes, Harvey's right. My husband died a couple of years ago and my brother who had the same cancer died about ten years ago. I am my niece's guardian since that time."
"Oh, that was the pretty young girl who accompanied you.."
"Mark, why are asking so many questions?" Harvey asked.
"Harvey..." Donna tried to silence him. She put her fork down and took the plate to the sink.
"Well, you can finish your meal, I need to check on something," Donna said and straightening her tight skirt she left through the swinging door. Harvey turned to watch her walk out the door. Oh boy, I screwed up again. She knows how much Mark bothers me. It's her fault she brought him here. I just don't think Zoe needs someone hitting on her when she stuck here with the rest of us.
"Harvey, can I speak to you for a moment?" Zoe asked. "Excuse us, Mark. I will be right back and we can continue our conversation."
Mark who knew something was afoot as Donna seemed to walk out of the room in a huff nodded and shoveled another piece of steak in his mouth.
Harvey and Zoe went to the other side of the room around the corner where the Partner's Lounge was located.
"Zoe, what is it? Is Mark still bothering you because I can throw him out. I don't really care if he gets stranded in the street."
"Harvey! Why don't you like Mark? Besides you don't have to speak for me. I have been a grown woman for a long time and I don't know him well enough but he seems to be good friends with Donna..."
Harvey closed his mouth and his jaw became set. Zoe's eyes opened wide and she realized what Harvey's issue with Mark was about.
"This has something to do with Donna, doesn't it?"
Harvey turned around and leaned on the bar located in the lounge. He took a deep tight breath and then confessed.
"Yes, Donna and Mark, years ago almost became engaged. They broke up after six months and it was indirectly because of me."
"Oh, I see. You're jealous. You think because he is now a client that he and Donna would resume their relationship."
"No. I know that won't happen. However, earlier today when you were in my office, Donna had wanted to surprise me and she found us in my office talking and saw the table set..."
"...And she came to the wrong conclusion about me. I see," Zoe stated. She lowered her head and said, "I apologized to Donna for my part in this misunderstanding between you two. She said she did not blame me but you. So it seems she called Mark here for more than just a meeting with his new lawyer."
"Yep," Harvey said.
"It seems to be working." Zoe smiled and then kissed Harvey on the cheek. "Go find your wife, stupid. She can't be that mad at you. You two looked at peace when you came into the room," Zoe ventured.
"She's mad at me again."
"She won't be. I promise. She just had enough of your ego for a little while, and she didn't like the fact that a perfectly healthy woman couldn't speak for herself."
Harvey turned around and with hooded eyes asked, "What about Mark?"
"He seems harmless enough. I'm a lawyer, too, and a woman who can take care of herself. Go find Donna."
Harvey smiled a brittle smile. Although knowing that he and Donna were in a reconciliation, he really should apologize to Donna and Zoe for butting and answering questions and acting like a buffoon when he knows that like his wife Zoe was perfectly of speaking for herself.
Harvey took her hand and kissed Zoe on the cheek.
"I'm sorry Zoe. You're right. I should not have butt in. Can you take care of Mark?"
Zoe smiled brightly and said, "Yes, I can. I actually kind of intrigued. Go find you wife."
Harvey left the room swiftly not even acknowledging Mark's presence.
He found her in her office on the phone watching the snow continuing to fall although it was dark now.
"Ok, Mandy, I will tell your dad. I'm sure he can fix it when we get home tomorrow. In the meantime take care of your brother and sister and don't drive Uncle Marcus and Aunt Kate too crazy, ok? Love you too, baby. Daddy does, too. See you tomorrow."
Harvey stood in the doorway to her office staring at his hands wherein he noticed his nails were needed to be trimmed a little.
"Harvey," Donna said in a monotone trying not to sound hostile.
"Ok, before you start on me, I don't need a lecture. I just got one from Zoe."
"Good for her. I hope she told you she was perfectly capable of telling Mark her own story."
Harvey smirked and laughed a little. "Yes, she did. I don't know about you strong women. You're going to be the death of me, I'm sure."
"Get used to it. You have two daughters whom I'm raising to be strong as well."
"Yes, but I'm their dad."
"Yeah, but they have you wrapped around their proverbial little fingers," Donna said and smiled at him. She looked at her husband. In the dark office with the light coming from behind, the only thing visible was his silhouette and the slight reflection of his watch when it caught the light from the corridor.
"Sounds like the associates are dancing up a storm downstairs," Harvey said. He looked at his wife sitting at her desk. He could see the color of her hair and the glint from her big dark jade eyes from the light he was not blocking from the corridor. Her glass desk and her diamond engagement ring and jeweled necklace all caught glimmers of lights reflected from the glass. She is so beautiful. I could never love another one like I love her. She's so smart and can read me like a magazine. I love you, Donna.
Donna glanced at her phone. It now read 6:45 pm.
"So, what can I do for you?" Donna asked. He's knows what he did. Thanks to Zoe. Otherwise I would have to rehash how Zoe is a big girl and Mark is a nice guy. Mark is not Harvey but he is still a good guy and he should be allowed to acquaint himself with any woman he wants.
"I came to ask you if you wanted to dance," Harvey said walking toward her and coming behind her desk where she sat. He crouched down and took her left hand in his.
"I'm glad to see you're still wearing your rings."
"Did you seriously think I would take them off? You didn't notice earlier?"
Harvey smirked up at her. "I didn't notice anything else once I got a look at you in that dress. I mean I love the way you dress, but this was an office party. Did you need to flash everyone your boobs?"
Donna smiled. "I have been flashing my boobs around here before I was married to you. I think I did subconsciously to challenge you, I think."
"You won. I could never take my eyes off you and so could most of the men around here."
They both tittered at that.
"Ok. Would you like to dance?" Harvey asked again.
"Downstairs? No, I'm not in the mood for that."
"No. I meant in my office."
"You mean to your father's stuff?" Donna asked raising her eyebrows.
"Yes, if Mike returned my turntable."
"You let Mike?..." Donna smiled. "You are growing soft in your old age there, Specter. I thought you would have given him the General Zodd speech: "Bow, yield, kneel before Zodd".
"I tried. What can I say? Mike has a way of bringing out the Superman in me."
He kissed his wife's hand and then stood up.
"What do you say?"
Donna stood up and a feeling of deja vu came over her. "I don't mind if I do."
They kissed and then Harvey led Donna down the hallway.
