CHAPTER 9

"He was practically kissing you on the mouth, Donna!" Harvey shouted at his wife whose face wore a guilty expression.

"Oh he was not," Donna responded quietly. "He tripped on something on the floor and accidentally crashed into me."

"With his mouth open?" Harvey shouted back.

They were at Rachel's bridal shower. The time for eating had finally arrived so the men and their significant others became reattached to one another while they stood in line waiting for food at the large buffet table spread out in the Zane's mansion kitchen. The house was made of stone and brick and inside the kitchen felt like a cave. It opened off the side to a large terrace in the backyard. The back of the room down two steps was the large family room with a TV, fireplace, Baby Grand Piano and lots and lots of books. It was the room where Rachel had just finished opening her gifts and Mike stood by taking jabs and jokes from mostly people he never met or would meet once he was Rachel's husband.

Donna on the other hand was acting as part hostess so she had not left Sergei Patranov's side much during the whole serving of the meal. Sergie had acted the gentleman for the most part in his private meetings with Donna but he continued to kiss her hand and looking down her blouse. Once his hand even (accidentally) brushed one of her breasts. Donna did not think it was on purpose until this little incident to which her husband referred happened.

When Harvey spotted her, he had been one of the last to enter the kitchen to get food as he had been having a heated discussion with Robert Zane and Bryant Hilliard a lawyer of whom Harvey had known by reputation only but apparently was a good friend of Robert Zane's. As Harvey came through to the kitchen and picked up a china plate, he caught the swift maneuver of Patranov's to accidentally trip into his wife's cleavage and then come up quick to snatch her lips. Harvey could not blame the man. Donna was one of the most beautiful women in the whole place. She was dressed in a silver Alexander McQueen dress with a low neckline and her favorite gray Jimmy Choo heels. Her red fiery hair was up and still looked luxurious from the hormones still trickling through her body from nursing Gordon. However, what was Harvey's was Harvey and no one takes anything from him especially his wife.

"Excuse me, I need to talk to my wife," Harvey said to Sergei putting down the plate and grabbing Donna's arm pulled her into the small alcove next to the kitchen leading to the broom closet.

"Donna. What the hell was that?" Harvey said with a clenched jaw and almost literal steam emanating from his forehead.

"What was what? Ow...let go of my arm, Specter," Donna said not liking the accusatory tone of her husband's voice. She enjoyed Harvey's possessiveness over her most of the time especially since they had become a couple but this was not just Harvey's possessiveness it sounded like he was jealous of something.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you, but what the hell was that? He was practically kissing you on the mouth, Donna!

"Oh he was not," Donna responded quietly. "He tripped on something on the floor and accidentally crashed into me."

"With his mouth open?" Harvey shouted back.

"Would you keep your voice down?" Donna stage whispered back. The last thing she needed was to cause a scene at Rachel's shower. As matron of honor she had enough responsibility, she did not need "gossip grabber of the party" on top of it.

"Don't worry, Harvey, after today, neither you or I will ever see him again. Calm down. It was nothing."

"Ok, but if he tries to touch you one more time and I see it, I won't be responsible for my behavior."

Harvey calmed down and kissed his wife on the cheek and smiled.

"You know I don't blame the guy. I'm the lucky guy who gets to go home with you."

Donna smirked. "What can I say...I'm Donna. Every woman wants to be me and every guy wants to be with me. You never know, I might change my mind one of these days and leave you high and dry."

"Not funny," Harvey said seriously.

Then Donna remembered that was exactly what Harvey's mother had done all those years ago.

"I'm sorry, Harvey, but you were asking for it," Donna joked trying to lighten his mood.

Harvey raised his head and looked up at his wife. "It's ok. Because I know you'd never leave me." They then shared a swift but thorough kiss.

They came out of the alcove together only to be accosted by the cause of the problem facing them.

"Pardon me, I was just trying to find Donna to see when I should serve the cake. The appetizers and Ms. Zane opening her gifts took longer than anticipated and I do not want the cake to be ruined as it is partially frozen."

"Her name is Mrs. Specter to you...not Donna. You're the caterer you make the judgment on when to serve the cake and if I ever see you make a pass at my wife again I will hurt you" Harvey threatened looking deep into Sergei's eyes. Harvey and Sergei were of a height but Harvey the more fearsome for he never threatened without being able to support it.

As for Sergei, he had Donna right where he wanted her. She knew her husband was overreacting, but Sergei had expected that Donna's husband was no pushover. Donna was no pushover either for that matter. How Sergei would contrive to see Donna Specter on a regular basis from now on was going to be an intriguing puzzle for Sergei to solve.

"Thank you for the loveliest shower I have ever been to. Then again I may be a little prejudice as it was mine," Rachel said as she helped Donna wrap up some of the leftover foodstuffs. The crowd was large but Sergei had outdone himself because there were still three trays of Thai noodles and one tray of Swedish meatballs still untouched.

"Why don't you and Harvey take a tray of the Thai noodles home? Mike isn't a big fan of Thai cuisine."

"Well, Harvey isn't much of a fan either. However, he did seem attached to these noodles. Thanks, Rache. I appreciate it."

Rachel took the wrapped tray of food and taking a piece of masking tape and permanent marker wrote "Donna" on the tape and stuck on the cover of the tray. This way her father would not sneak it open later for a midnight snack.

Rachel looked up at the taller woman and said, "Do you want to tell me what Harvey was yelling about at you during dinner?"

Donna knew someone had heard. She knew it had been noisy but Harvey as a lawyer had all the capability needed for making himself heard in and out of a courtroom. Although this was not a court room this room was no exception.

"Just a misunderstanding he had with me and Sergei," Donna tried to make the incident as small as it was to her.

"I'm thinkin' he didn't like the way Sergei oggled you the whole day and then accidentally tried to kiss you," Rachel said biting her lip.

"It wasn't that, Rachel. Sergei tripped... Oh hell, even I don't believe that excuse anymore," Donna said sighing heavily. She wiped a stray hair from her forehead with the back of her hand. The motion caught Rachel's eye because it was Donna's left hand where she sported the sizeable engagement ring Harvey had given to her when they became engaged. The ring sparkled in the dimmed kitchen light.

Donna looked down at her wedding rings. She had barely taken them off since they had married almost three years ago. Donna could only remember that during her pregnancies were the only time that her rings became tight almost unbearable. However, Donna, had even then never removed her wedding rings. They meant the life she had now. The life she shared with Harvey.

"You know it wouldn't be so hard except that Harvey is finally accepting his mom after all these years and I don't think it's just because she's dying, " Donna confided to Rachel.

"That's wonderful, Donna. Be careful, though. You are a man magnet and Harvey knows that."

"Rachel. Nothing or no one could drag me away from him. We have a family now. I'm happy. No one will ever take that from me or Harvey." Donna responded fiercely.

"Good. Now I have to find my fiancé before he goes home with the wrong girl."

"I hope you're driving. Mike looks like he's about ready to fall down," Donna said as she pointed to Mike leaning against the wall talking to Harvey. She laughed as she saw Harvey's hand raised to keep Mike from falling face first into the stone tile of his future in-laws' kitchen.

Harvey drove back to West Chester holding Donna's hand in his most of the trip. They took the Audi with the automatic transmission so Harvey did not have to shift gears while trying to maintain contact with his wife.

"Wow what a week!"

Donna rubbed her thumb over Harvey's knuckles.

"That's for sure. What time did you tell your mother we would visit? I want to make sure that both children are all cleaned up for their grandmother."

"Yeah, about that. I was thinking maybe I'll just go tomorrow. You know it's Sunday and we have work on Monday."

"Harvey. Your mother is looking forward to finally meeting her grandchildren. Don't let what happened today influence your thoughts on tomorrow."

"Well, it has. I can't get the image of Sergei practically falling into your cleavage and all you did was encourage him."

Donna released Harvey's hand hard. She turned as best she could in the passenger seat to look at him.

"I did not. I was doing a little innocent flirting. I'm a married woman with children. I don't get that kind of reaction much anymore." Then more quietly, Donna said resignedly, "Harvey nothing happened. Nothing will ever happen. I am not your mother. I am Donna. I am your wife! I could never do to you or our children what your mother did to you and your brother. You're just now beginning to see how heartbroken she really was by her mistake. Don't let this fester by making another mistake."

Harvey shook his head and stared at the traffic in front of him. It was only 9:00 pm, but the shower had been an all-day event and he was very tired.

"Ok. You're right, Donna. You are not my mother. I would never expect you to leave me, but I can't get that picture of Sergei out of my mind. It just burns me up because it dredges up all that I wanted to leave in the past. I'm not sure if I have forgiven her enough in order for her to see the kids. But I had better never catch you speaking with or even talking to Sergei Patranov again or I won't be responsible for my actions."

"Harvey, I still don't get your attitude. Your mother is not a fungus filled disease that's contagious. She is your mother and whether you believe it or not she loves you. The children are not going to catch an infidelity disease because they will be in the same room and close proximity to her. You're being ridiculous, Harvey. Besides, Mandy is very excited about meeting her "new" grandma. If we decide to not go through with our original plan, she may wind up with a complex. Besides if all you're worried about is me seeing Sergei again. I guarantee that won't happen. My matron of honor duties are drawing to a forward conclusion. I will not be seeing him again anyway because I have no reason to. He was paid before he left and we're done."

"Good to know. How about we stop for something to eat?"

Donna just rolled her eyes.

Despite what Harvey had told Donna he took advantage of the fact that Amanda had caught a cold and would not be allowed to see her grandmother as her immunity was compromised from the chemo.

Amanda howled at the thought that she could not be with her daddy today. She knew she was sick, but daddy never minded any other time. So Donna who was not in a good mood because she would be alone yet again with the children on the day before she returned to work, told Harvey to kindly explain to his daughter why her father was leaving her again.

"Mandy, calm down sweetie, daddy will be back later and then we can play kitchen again, ok," Harvey tried to placate his little daughter has he held her in his arms and walked around with her. "Your Grandma Specter is very sick and you're a very sick little girl right now, so it's not a good idea for you and your Grandma to see each other. I promise as soon as you're not running a temperature and all better you can meet Grandma Specter, ok?" Harvey looked into those large brown eyes so like his. She was still shuddering from how hard she cried that her daddy was leaving her again.

"Ok, Mandy?" Harvey asked kissing her on the cheek.

Mandy just looked into her daddy's face with big red rimmed brown eyes and her finger in her mouth. She nodded, but as soon as Harvey put her down she clung to his leg and would not let go.

"Donna! I need you!" Harvey called from the living room of the house. He assumed Donna was feeding Gordon or taking a shower.

"Donna!" Then he heard Gordon's loud wail from the foyer where Amanda was still holding his leg in a death grip.

Donna finally came out with red hair all messed; the baby in her arms who had quieted as soon as he knew he was in his mom's arms.

"Good job, Specter. Can't you see she doesn't want you to leave without her again? You promised and now you've reneged. Congratulations for breaking your daughter's heart! "

"No need for your sarcasm this early. I really need to leave and I can't leave with my almost two year old daughter clinging to me!"

"Let me put the baby down. Give me a minute," Donna said trouncing with babe in arms over to the bassinet and gently put her baby son down on his side.

"Come on, Mandy. That's enough. Daddy will be back before you know it. He promised he would play with you all day tomorrow didn't he?" Donna said sneaking an eye contact with Harvey who violently shook his head back and forth. He did not need Donna making promises for things he may not be able to keep.

With a kiss on the cheeks of his daughter and wife, Harvey Specter made it out of the door of his West Chester house en route to a woman for whom he thought he would never care this much again.

In the meantime, Donna sat on the floor and fed Gordon from her breast as she did not feel like venturing into the kitchen and finding a bottle. Besides she did enjoy feeling his little hand curled on her breast and his little face contented as he took nourishment. As she looked lovingly on her baby son, her daughter came and brushed her red hair away from her shoulder gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"You really miss daddy when he's not here, don't you?" Donna asked Mandy as she plopped down next to Donna and mimicked feeding her baby doll like her mother fed her brother.

Mandy nodded up and down and continued to feed her baby while Donna fed Gordon.

"I know. I miss him, too."

Donna then had an idea. She said to Mandy who was busy burping her baby doll mimicking Donna's motions with Gordon. "I know. It's daddy's birthday in a couple of months Do you want to plan a birthday party for him?" Donna asked her daughter with wide eyes and a big smile.

"Daddy's birthday, yes... Ahchoo," Mandy said sneezing at the end. Before Donna could fish a tissue out of her robe pocket Mandy had already wiped her nose on the sleeve of her bathrobe.

"Well, there goes my peaceful day..." Donna said as she rose with Gordon still hooked to her breast in search of a tissue.

_ The thought of using Sergei's firm was not intentional but Donna did not have the time with the holidays and the wedding before Harvey's birthday to do any additional research for a better caterer. She wanted to throw a real big occasion for Harvey's birthday. It was a big one. He would be 45 years old. He knew she knew how old he was but he did not want anyone else knowing. Out of love for her husband's fragile ego, she would not announce what birthday it was just that it was his birthday and she wanted to celebrate it with both sides of the family and their close friends. It really did not amount to having the affair catered but she thought of Sergei and since he did a great job on a large party she was eager to see what he could do for a somewhat smaller less diverse crowd of people. Donna's only hope was that Sergei himself would not be serving the food. There would be no need. Servers were not necessary at such a small affair. Meeting with Sergei once to choose the menu and pay the cost should be enough. She really wanted no repeat of her and Sergei's last meeting. All Donna only needed the food. She realized for all of Sergei's womanizing tricks he was a good caterer and the cost would be perfect as well. Her family and Harvey's were not that large and they all had children so a less diverse palate should also mean less expense.

Harvey's birthday was in the middle of January, so there would be time to recover from Christmas and Rachel and Mike's wedding.

After she had Gordon back down for a mini-nap and Mandy settled in bed asleep trying to get better from her cold, Donna called "Room for A Venue".

"Room for a Venue, Peggy speaking, how may I direct your call?"

"Hi Peggy. This is Donna Specter. Can I speak with Sergei, please?"

"He is with a client at the moment. Can I have your number and have him call you back?"

"Oh. Yes, of course.." Donna gave Peggy her cell number and the house phone in the event she could not get to her cell.

"Peggy, I don't mean to be pushy but I am calling between nap and feeding times for my children. Could you perhaps know how long he will be with this client?"

"She's been here since 8:00 am, Mrs. Specter. I assume he won't be much longer. Probably another 15 minutes. I will give him your message and let him know to urgently call you back."

Donna did not want to sound desperate, but she knew if she did not get this done today there would not be too much time and then nothing would get done at all for Harvey's birthday.

"Ok. That would be great. Thank you."

Harvey arrived at the hospice with flowers for his mother. He did not know why he felt compelled to buy flowers for his mother. Perhaps, Harvey was feeling bad because he could not bring the kids to see their grandmother. He knew his mother would be disappointed. She had been counting on this for a week. However, he could not complicate his mother's already debilitated condition by exposure to the common cold.

As Harvey entered the facility he looked at the familiar walls, he was here when Mike had decided to represent the hospice in their legal affairs. Mike and his constant sympathies, Harvey thought, would someday undo all the corporate wealth that Pearson, Specter, Litt represented. Still, Harvey was glad in a way because at least he would have someone accountable in case anything happened. Harvey checked in at the desk and was told his mother had just finished her breakfast and was waiting to see him.

Harvey came to her room marked B206. Harvey took a minute to remember the significance of "206" and smiled.

"Mom," Harvey said as he walked toward the table where his mother was sitting. She looked all pretty for his visit today and then he remembered that she was all dressed up to see her grandchildren.

"Harvey," Lillian said as she took the flowers that Harvey proffered. "These are beautiful. Are you alone?"

"Well, mom..." Harvey began as he sat down on the bed across from her. He had forgotten to shave and his beard was starting to show darkly. He dressed casually in jeans and a t-shirt over which he wore a leather bomber jacket.

"You changed your mind, didn't you, Harvey," Lillian said as tears welled up in her large brown eyes.

"No, mom, I didn't. Amanda caught a cold from one of the neighbor's kids and I didn't think your immunity could handle not catching it. Believe me she was as disappointed as you. She clung to my leg and wouldn't let me leave. If it weren't for Donna I wouldn't've made it this far." Harvey smiled and kissed his mom's frail cheek.

"I promise as soon as Amanda's better I will bring her and Gordon to see you."

"How's Donna?"

"She's good. She wishes she could come see you, but we depend so much on her mother right now that we like to give her a break on the weekends."

"Donna's mom babysits while you and Donna work in Manhattan?"

"She just sitting with the kids until Gordon is about six months old. Then Donna feels that the daycare can handle a baby that old. We did that with Amanda. Did I ever tell you about Amanda's birth?"

"No, Harvey. Please tell me.."

Suddenly it was like Harvey was a little boy again before he realized that his mom had cheated on his father for years. Harvey proceeded to tell his mom about how he wound up with Donna, their wedding, the births of both kids and how Donna and Mandy were so sick and that was how they found out they were having Gordon. He talked about his career and the one previous when he worked at the DA's office. Harvey felt light as a feather when he was finished.

"Harvey, do you believe it's 3:00 pm. I'm going to have to take another shot. They make me so sleepy. I'm so glad you opened up to me. I have always been curious about your career despite the news that Marcus relays to me."

"Mom, it's strange. You made me feel like someone's son again. I haven't felt like that since dad was alive," Harvey rose and embraced his mother. He actually ran a hand across his eyes as unbidden tears began to fall.

When they disengaged themselves from one another, Lillian still had a small clasp on each of Harvey's upper arms.

"Now you are going to come back as soon as Mandy's well, right? You won't let me down."

"No. I promise mom as soon as Mandy's over her cold. All four of us will be here with bells on."

"I love you, Harvey." Lillian said as she watched Harvey walk out the door.

A small voice inside Harvey's head, wherein Harvey was the only who could hear it, said, "I forgive you, mom."