Author's notes: Finally another chapter to (kind of) celebrate the end of Season 8-A. It took me FOREVER to update the story and I sincerely apologize. First it was time abroad that kept me busy and now that school has started again it's been hectic… That being said, Donna and Harvey are still on my mind and now you can read what they have been up since my last update! As usual, do not hesitate to leave a review. I always appreciate reading your thoughts/comments/predictions :)

Tuesday December 5, 2017

It was a regular day at the office and Harvey was looking forward to a little bit of quiet time after two consecutive meetings with displeased clients. He opened his computer and checked the time: 7:30 pm. He started to go through the quantity of emails that had accumulated since the beginning of the afternoon and replied to the most urgent ones. He was hungry and was hoping to leave soon (with Donna), hence his diligence. He was focused on his computer screen when Donna entered the room with a blue file in hand. He smiled immediately at the sight of his girlfriend walking with purpose and sitting on the other side of his desk.

"I would ask you if you're busy but I've checked your schedule and I know for a fact that you don't have any more meetings today."

He smirked. You checked my schedule? What a surprise! "It doesn't mean I'm not busy though", he countered. (Just for the fun of it. Because, when it came to Donna, Harvey was never too busy.)

"Are you?" she replied, raising an eyebrow in challenge.

He barely refrained from smiling. I can never win with you, Donna. "It can wait", he conceded. "What is it?"

"I have a proposal for you", she simply said.

Her face was unreadable, even for Harvey and his expert gaze. "A proposal?!" He pointed at the blue file that she had in her right hand. "It looks too official to be a marriage proposal…" He pretended to be dejected for a second. "So I guess it's a business proposal…"

Donna smiled but ignored the quip (Hold your horses, mister!) and focused on the second part of his comments. "It's not exactly a business proposal but it's work-related."

Definitely not a marriage proposal… Too bad! "I'm listening." Instead of explaining herself, Donna gave him the file and let him read it, waiting impatiently for his reaction. It wasn't a big file, only two sheets of paper with several tables and a few bullet points. Harvey was grinning when his eyes left the documents to find hers. "I'm in!"

Donna grinned back. The proposal was for her and Harvey to get away for 10 days from December 30 to January 8. The tables showed the number of clients for the dates Donna had picked as compared to other times during the year and proved that her chosen dates were the best (i.e., least impactful) for the firm to be missing its managing partner and its COO. The bullet points highlighted who would be in charge of what in their absence and what they needed to do in preparation for their vacation. "Where do you want to go?"

"Anywhere that involves you wearing considerably less clothing than now!"

That's obviously your priority, Harvey! "Ha! Canada is out of the picture then?!"

"In winter? Absolutely! Where do you want to go?"

"I've thought of several places", she replied enigmatically.

"Of course, you have", he smiled back.

"There's no rush concerning the destination. We can discuss it further and decide later."

"Or you can choose for the both of us like you are planning on doing anyway."

"I'm not going to apologize for who I am", she retorted with her most innocent expression.

Harvey chuckled and shook his head. "I trust you. I'm sure you'll pick the perfect destination."

"As long as it's not Canada…"

"Exactly!"

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Friday December 15, 2017

Harvey Specter was happy. It was all new to him, this level of happiness, and he loved it. His relationship with the amazing Donna Paulsen was great, exceeding his highest expectations to the point that he woke up with a smile every day. Not even a busy schedule at the office with his most difficult clients could tamper his good mood these days. "Brooding Harvey" seemed to be on leave and people had noticed the change but taken it as a sign of him finally settling in his position as managing partner (and reveling in the title's appeal for his already inflated ego). In all honesty, he preferred when he had more time to devote to the law than mainly handling the firm but Jessica was gone and he was now Number One so he had to do the job and do it well. He relied heavily on Donna's work as COO and people noticed that her role was invaluable to the firm's success, thus limiting, for a change, the rumours about her obtaining the promotion because of a secret (and torrid) affair with the boss, which, considering their current situation, she found very ironic. Harvey would have been fine continuing to keep their relationship to themselves but Donna had been the voice of reason (as usual) and convinced him that at least Alex and Katrina needed to know too. As a result, shortly after Jessica's wedding, they had held a short meeting and revealed their new status as a couple to the two other partners. Katrina had thanked them for being transparent, Alex doing the same right after. However, once Alex was alone with Harvey later that day, he hadn't been able to resist making fun of his old friend: "And all this time I thought you two were already married!" The disclosure didn't seem to disrupt the functioning of the firm and the fact that Donna never hesitated to say something when she didn't agree with Harvey insured that their integrity and leadership weren't questioned. It was a good thing considering all the problems that they faced on a regular basis: clients menacing to change lawyers, judges holding a grudge against the firm (well, against Harvey mostly) and affecting a case, or associates being associates/useless ("What do they teach them at Harvard these days?!"). And the latest: the possibility of a merger with Rand, Kandor and Zane. Nothing was certain, far from it, but it added to Harvey's plate. Fortunately for him, every time he felt tired of work, he could nowadays think of his upcoming vacation with Donna. The destination was still unknown to him (not that he minded) and he regularly teased the redhead with potential places:

- After a dancing show that they had watched together one cold Saturday evening: "Argentina? We could learn tango in Buenos Aires!" The image of Harvey dancing tango made her giggle for days every time that she thought about it.

- "Disney World? Come on: a double date with Mickey and Minnie on New Year's Eve?!" Her response: "No way, Specter!" At least, not until we have kids…

- "New Orleans to celebrate the new year, Donna? What do you say? Jazz, French cuisine and being able to drink in the streets: what's not to love?!" The suggestion was tempting and Donna kept it in her "maybe" mental file.

It had been another busy day at Specter Litt and Harvey sighed loudly as he sat down at his desk. He looked at the files that Maya had left for him and signed where indicated. He then opened his computer to focus on his emails. It was already 6:56 pm. He couldn't believe how many emails he received every day. Way more than when he was a simple lawyer. Being managing partner meant a ton of emails, some that needed his immediate attention, some that he could respond in a less timely manner (i.e., within 24 hours instead of within the hour) and some that he had since then learned to quickly discard (unwanted solicitations and other shady ventures). Harvey's eyes scanned his inbox and fell on one particular sender before doing a double take. What now? The sender's name? P. AGARD. Paula. He felt nervous, almost sick to his stomach, as he clicked on the message. What could she possibly want with him? The object of the message reassured him to some extent: "Apologies". He expelled a long breath before diving in and prayed that she wasn't about to announce him something bad. What he meant by "bad" remained to be defined. No time like the present…

Hello Harvey,

I've had time to reflect on our relationship and I would like to apologize from the bottom of my heart. I am aware that you and I seeing each other wasn't a breach of ethics but it didn't make it right either. As your former therapist, I should have been the one to put an end to it (before it even started or at any other moment afterwards) but I didn't and I apologize for that. Moreover, it wasn't right to ask you to prioritize our relationship over your relationship with Donna. I don't know all the details of your past together (probably because I was too afraid to ask you about it - another one of my mistakes as a therapist) and I hope that us being together, albeit briefly, didn't affect your relationship with her. You still work together as far as I can tell from your firm's website so I assume your professional relationship is doing okay but I have no idea about your personal one. Once again, I apologize for putting you in a difficult position and for questioning Donna's place in your life. I would apologize to her as well but I'm not sure how she would take it.

I often felt that there was a third person in our relationship. It took me some time (and therapy) to acknowledge that maybe I was the one intruding into another (and more established) relationship. I guess that's why relationships with former patients are strongly discouraged. I tried to justify it but, in the end, you were the one who saw things more clearly and decided to break up with me. You showed me the way and I want to thank you for that, even if it hurt at the time. I was your therapist and I failed you. I'll always regret not encouraging to continue therapy with someone else so please accept my apologies for that as well. It's not my role to enquire about it anymore but please tell me that you didn't give up on therapy because of what happened between us.

I hope that you are doing well and I wish you all the best,

Paula

Harvey took a minute to regroup after reading the message. While he appreciated the intention, Paula's apologies made his feelings of guilt resurface. Guilt of having started a relationship with Paula and involved her in his own mess with his misguided actions. Guilt of having been a coward and not gone for what he really wanted in the first place. Donna. Guilt of hurting his best friend in the process and having to reach an impasse in their relationship before they could finally be honest with each other. He tried to remember that Donna had forgiven him and decided to let the past stay in the past. It wasn't easy. He was a proud man. However, he had grown recently and come to accept his shortcomings as long as he was working on being an improved version of himself. Contrary to what Paula had feared, he was still in therapy and while it was sometimes difficult, it was also useful. He had pushed people away for too long (Donna in particular) and he didn't want to repeat that mistake. He knew that he would be a better man if he continued so he was willing to do so. Donna was too important for him not to make the effort. She was worth it. She was worth everything.

When Harvey entered Donna's office 10 minutes later, the COO knew immediately that something was off. One second was enough to notice his slumped shoulders and nervous expression.

"What is it?" she asked without preamble as he made his way around her desk to lean against the window sill. She turned to face him and took his left hand in hers. She was careful with public displays of affection at work but she was worried as he didn't let his emotions show often.

"Paula emailed me earlier today."

Donna swallowed with difficulty. Not what I expected. She would have taken any work crisis over the news that the evil therapist had reached out to her boyfriend. Accepting Harvey's advances had put her on Donna's black list in the first place. Allowing their "relationship" to last as long as it had had left her there permanently. Donna still couldn't help but cringe just thinking about it, hence her reluctance to call it a "relationship". It was wrong, so wrong, from the beginning. What does she want? What kind of mind game is she playing now?

Harvey responded to her silent questions: "She wanted to apologize."

"Apologize?!" Donna didn't try to mask her scepticism. For what?! For being one of the worst therapists on the face of the Earth?! If she had been ready to forgive Harvey, she couldn't say the same for Dr. Agard. She kept every angry or sarcastic comment that she could think of to herself and waited for Harvey to elaborate.

"Here. Look at her message."

Donna took the phone from his hand and started to read the email. Her own mistrust towards the blonde woman made it difficult to fully concentrate on the words. Breathe, Donna. "… it didn't make it right either." You're right about that! "I don't know all the details of your past together." Don't you remember our encounter over a year ago?! I thought I was pretty transparent about my feelings for Harvey at the time. You very conveniently ignored what I had told you then, huh?! "Probably because I was too afraid to ask you about it - another one of my mistakes as a therapist." We completely agree on that. "I hope that us being together, albeit briefly, didn't affect your relationship with her." What do you think, genius?! "I apologize for putting you in a difficult position and for questioning Donna's place in your life. I would apologize to her as well but I'm not sure how she would take it." Probably not well. It's a little late to realize how inappropriate the whole thing was, "Doctor" Agard, but at least you came to your senses... "I guess that's why relationships with former patients are strongly discouraged." Don't you learn that in first year or something?! "… please tell me that you didn't give up on therapy because of what happened between us." No but you were supposed to help him. Not sleep with him! Despite the apologetic message, Donna accepted that she would probably always harbor some kind of resentment towards the therapist. She could live with that. The fact that she was with Harvey now certainly helped moved on from one of the darkest moments of her life.

Harvey's voice brought her back to the present. "Donna, I'm…"

She didn't let him finish, raising her right hand in front of his face: "Stop right there. We've already had this conversation, Harvey." She gave him a serious look. "I know you're sorry. You don't have to repeat it. We're good."

There was a tone of finality in her voice that warmed his heart instantly. He smiled adoringly. "I love you." Three little words that meant so much more than just "I love you" for Harvey. It was faster than "thank you for being patient with me and for accepting my flaws" or "you're amazing and I'm going to spend the rest of my life trying to make you happy." Three little words that he had used with parsimony over the years and that showed the depth of his feelings for his girlfriend (also known as the love of his life).

Her expression softened at his words. "That", she said quietly, "you can repeat." Harvey's smile morphed into a wide grin and Donna was a about to say something in return when the tender moment was broken by David who entered Donna's office. "I'm really sorry to bother you, Donna, Mr. Specter, but Mr. Litt called and he's waiting for you in the conference room."

Donna heard Harvey mumble something incomprehensible next to her and turned on her chair. She cleared her throat. "Yes, of course. Thank you for the reminder, David."

David left as swiftly as he had appeared. He knew that he had interrupted the couple while they were not talking about work but he also knew that Louis Litt had been two minutes away from barging in Donna's office himself. "Scheduled meetings need to start on time" was one of his mottos after all.

Harvey stood up and looked at the redhead. "I'd better go", he said reluctantly.

"Have fun with Louis", she replied with an exaggerated enthusiasm that managed to put a smile on his face as he exited the office.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Harvey entered Donna's bedroom much later than anticipated. The room was already dark, Donna buried under the covers. She moved as soon as she sensed his presence in bed. "Everything alright?" she asked, her voice raspy with sleep.

"It is now", he whispered, lying on his side and facing her. He didn't have to elaborate for Donna to understand the double entendre: "we're going to win the case" and "I'm here with you so it's all good."

Donna shifted slightly on her side to get closer to Harvey, putting one arm around him and encouraging him to put his face in the crook of her neck. Her other arm was trapped between them, her right hand over his heart. She embraced him in silence until she felt his body relax against hers thanks to her proximity and the hand caressing his hair in a soothing motion. "I didn't get the chance to say it back earlier", she said eventually in his ear, "but I love you too." She felt Harvey smile on her skin almost instantaneously. Harvey slowly raised his upper body on his elbows and Donna used the hand that was on his chest to lead his face to hers, their lips finally touching in a soft kiss. Her other hand moved from the back of his head to his shoulder blades then to his lower back, holding him in place firmly (not that he had any intentions of going anywhere else). "I love you", she repeated and punctuated her three little words with another kiss, that time more heated than the previous one. You're mine. The hand on his lower back travelled even lower and Harvey groaned on her lips. Donna rarely showed her possessive side and it was an instant turn-on for the lawyer. He let her take his tee-shirt off and push him on the bed to lie on his back. Her fingers trailed from his pectoral muscles to his abs and he trembled under her touch. I'm yours, Donna. I'm all yours. When their lips met again, Donna's heart made a leap in her chest. The effect that that man had on her had terrified her in the past. Not anymore. Now she just welcomed the sensation, confident that the feeling was reciprocated and that yes, being that happy (in love) was her new reality. The evil therapist could email Harvey, she knew that their relationship was strong, that they were 100% committed to it. She would probably (and hopefully) never hear about or speak to the woman again. However, once in while, she, Donna Paulsen, loved to remind him, Harvey Specter, that he was hers and hers only. He never seemed to mind.