Here's the first part of Specter Family Christmas, enjoy! xx
Ch 12 – Dec 19th - Specter Family Christmas (Part 1/3)
They arrived late the night before and went straight to bed, absolutely exhausted from their day of shopping, carpool karaoke and spending time in the bedroom (or whatever space they could find; he smirks as he thinks back to last night in her kitchen) Donna was asleep within seconds of her head hitting the pillow and he followed suit not long after she had drifted off.
They're woken by the sound of the kids screaming BREAKFAST, and he smirks to himself knowing she was right yesterday, he definitely needed some alone time before the next 6 days of this; how she managed to always know him so well, he will never fully understand. He nuzzles his nose into her neck, waking her with a gentle "goodmorning"
Upon entering the kitchen for breakfast they're greeted with an assortment of good mornings from the Specter family. Katie and Marcus appear to be heading out and Marcus tells them they have some errands to run but will be back in the afternoon to take the kids to see Santa. Just as he sits down to begin his coffee Harvey is greeted by the sound of little feet hitting the floor as they run towards him.
"UNCLE HARVEY will you come help us put the star on the tree" they smile up at him.
He sighs and takes a sip of his coffee. Before he can decline Donna pipes up, "I think uncle Harvey would love to help" throwing him a wink as she sips her coffee from across the table.
Harvey gets up to go help and throws Donna a look over his shoulder, "I'll get you for this" he calls
"I'm quivering in my socks" she quips back.
As Harvey leaves to go help with the tree Lily takes his seat across from Donna, "Looks like it's just us girls" she smiles, "We're really glad you two could make it"
"We're so happy you could have us!" she beams at the older women
"It must take a very special women to convince my stubborn son to take some time off and join his family for the holidays. I knew you were quite something the last time I met you, but I can't thank you enough for helping bring my entire family together like this"
"Oh, but I didn't… Harvey didn't just come home because of me, I'm sure he would've come home anyways now that you guys are…" her voice falls off, not wanting to bring up the past feud between Harvey and his mother.
"Exactly dear, I assume you are also the special young women who convinced him to forgive me and give me a second chance in the first place"
"I didn't realize that he told you" she mumbles
"He didn't tell me who, only that someone very special to him helped him see the light, and now having met you I know he was talking about you" Donna blushes, she had no idea Harvey had told his mother that someone special to him convinced him to make amends. She doesn't know what to say so she smiles and says, "I'm really glad you two were able to move past it"
"Me too" Lily agrees, "I'm just glad that he's finally able to let someone in after all these years. I'll never forgive myself for the emotional strain I put on him, and that's something that I will have to live with for the rest of my life. I'm just so happy he's found someone who can see through his inability to express his feelings"
Donna meets Lily's gaze and offers a shy smile, "It took a while, but I think he's getting there" she jokes and both women can't help but laugh, returning to their breakfast.
Donna is the first to break the silence that had fallen since their last, rather serious, conversation, "Lily I was wondering if I could ask you a small favour"
"What is it dear?"
"There's something I had in mind to give Harvey for Christmas and I was wondering if you would be able to help me out"
After breakfast the rest of the morning goes by rather quickly. She helps Harvey and the kids finish decorating the tree, giggling like a school girl with a crush every time he reaches around her to place an ornament on the opposite side of her; an excuse to wrap his arms around her she assumed. Marcus and Katie return to take the kids to visit Santa at the mall and they decide to tag along. Before they leave, she excuses herself to answer the phone that is now ringing in her pocket.
"Hey dad" she smiles into the device
"Hey sweetheart, I just wanted to check in and see how the holiday's were treating you"
"Really well dad! Harvey's family has some fun new traditions that we don't usually do" she adds, trying to slip in the fact that she was spending Christmas with the Specter's as smoothly as possible. Harvey and her father had never exactly seen eye to eye and she wanted her dad to be happy about her new relationship.
"Harvey's family eh?" his voice riddled with uncertainty
"Yes" she answers, knowing she doesn't need to explain any further, her dad will just know.
"Are you happy sweetheart?" he asks
"I've never been happier" responds
"Then I'm happy for you darling" he adds before wishing her well. She's about to put her phone away and join the others at the door when she sees a text from Rachel. She was wondering how long it would take her friend to ask her for all the details of the relationship she recently discovered. She opens the message
Pre-LITT party new years drinks? We can invite Mike and Harvey if you want? -R
She types back
It sounds like a double date, see you then – D
A double date, have something to share? – R
We both know you already knew, but alright I'll play along, yes a date, that's what people who are dating do, isn't it? – D
AHHH! So happy for you guys! Promise to fill me in on all the details later? – R
Absolutely – D
Back at home Rachel smiles to herself. She decides not to tell Mike that Donna confirmed what she thought to be true. She can't wait to see his reaction when he finds out she was right on his own.
She heads back to the group and puts on her coat, Harvey sends her a small smile, "Everything ok?"
"Ya, just my dad calling to wish us a Merry Christmas"
"Us?" he raises his eyebrow slightly, he knows full well that her father isn't his biggest fan.
"Yes, us" she grins and heads out the door towards the car, waiting for him to follow.
Harvey never wants to step into another store during the holidays again! Granted he'd done more shopping the past week then he had during the entire year, but he can't believe people actually enjoy shopping with all the crowds and screaming children. The group had been waiting in line to see Santa for almost an hour, and much to his relief, they were next up. His niece and nephew excitedly told the man in the costume all about what they wanted for Christmas and smiled nicely in his lap for a picture. The smiles on their little faces almost made it worth the wait, but watching Donna staring at them whispering into Santa's ear adoringly is so endearing it makes him want to stand in line for another hour just to watch it all over again. The kids finish up with Santa and Harvey sneaks up beside her and whispers to her,
"Aren't you going to tell Santa what you want?" with a mocking tone, half expecting her to respond by saying she already had everything she wanted; she seemed to be in that type of mood the entire time they'd been at the mall. She can't help herself from being so smitten, watching him goof around with those kids, who absolutely adored everything about their uncle Harvey. She bats her eyelashes up at him and looks him dead in the eye, "I don't think Santa can help me with that one." He takes one look at her dilated pupils, taking in the way she eyes him like he's the last cookie in the cookie jar.
"Donna Paulsen there are children around" he smirks
"You're too easy to tease" she jokes, slipping her fingers between his as they walk to meet the rest of his family.
"After the other night, I never know with you" he playfully shoves her side, referring to her inability to keep her hands to herself in the back of the car; not that he minded.
"You like it, besides the magics in the mystery" she shoves back as he rolls his eyes dramatically in response.
"I swear you're going to be the death of me" he adds placing a kiss into her temple.
"My god, can you two knock it off with the lovey-dovey stuff, you're making me look bad here" Marcus says as he gestures towards his own wife who is helping her kids bundle up before leaving the store.
"Don't you dare listen to him" Katie says in Harvey's direction "I've never seen you so smitten, it's nice" she adds causing Harvey's cheeks to redden once again. Donna squeezes his hand and sends him a sweet tight-lipped smile.
Once outside and headed to the car Harvey scoops up his niece and puts her on his shoulders, causing her to shriek with delight. She trails behind the boys with Katie, taking in the sight before her. New York City's best closer twirling around his little niece as she laughed. Her heart had never felt so full, nor had she ever been so attracted to him. Katie catches her smiling, "I've always thought he would make an amazing father" nodding her head towards Harvey.
"He may put on a tough guy act, but he has one of the biggest hearts I know, the kids adore him" she smiles at Donna, "Who knows maybe one day you guys will have kids of your own"
Donna's smile grows at the thought. Of course she had thought about it before, wanting everything with him. But that was when it was far from a reality, their relationship seemingly stuck in an infinite loop of going no where. Now that they truly were a they, she hadn't really considered what it would be like to actually have everything with him. Sunday morning brunches, little league practice, birthday parties and first days of school. The more she thinks about it, and the more she watches him with his niece and nephew, the more certain she is, she wants this one day; with him.
"Have you guys thought about it?" Katies asks
"Oh god, not yet, we've barely scratched the surface on the relationship stuff, I wouldn't want to spook him after a few weeks" she replies without thinking.
"A few weeks? I thought you said you guys had been dating for 6 months?" Katie questions
"We have!" Donna says quickly, "It just feels so short since we've known each other for so long" she recovers, watching as Katie considers her answer before smiling in agreement with her statement. She supposes it wouldn't hurt if Katie knew the truth but she knew Harvey wanted to save face with his little brother and she needed to pay more attention to what she said if she didn't want to jeopardize Harvey's reputation with his kid brother.
He sets her hot chocolate down on the table as he snuggles in beneath the blanket next to her, arm wrapped around her shoulder.
"I almost told Katie we've only been together a few weeks" she admits looking up at him
"What?!" he exclaims
"I fixed it don't worry! Besides, we're together now, would it matter if they knew?"
"It would matter to me" he says, still slightly unnerved by her prior admission
"It would? Why?"
"Because, Marcus has always seen me as this successful role model, but I could never help but feel like he looked down on me for not being able to commit to a serious relationship. When I told him about you, for the first time in my life I didn't feel like he viewed me as an emotional screw up, he was proud of me." He finishes, trying to calm himself down from the worked up state he finds himself in.
"I understand Harvey, it's okay" she reassures him, "It's our little secret"
"Thank you, Donna"
He pulls her into his side and smiles into her forehead, breathing in her perfume as he starts the movie she's convinced him to watch. Her heart swells knowing his thank you bears more meaning then what it leads on. It's a thank you for not losing faith in him, for being his voice of reason and his best friend, for the past 13 years.
December 20th
The next day they wake up to a snow-covered ground and beyond excited children who can't wait to get outside and build a snowman. After a family breakfast at which Marcus and Harvey spent the better part of an hour discussing baseball, the kids convince Donna and Harvey to join them in the snow. Harvey rolls his eyes dramatically as he puts on his coat, looking to Donna he says "I can't remember the last time I played in the snow. It's so cold and wet, what self-respecting adult wants to go roll around in it"
"Oh, common now Mr. Grinch, it won't be so bad" she grins, helping him adjust his scarf; much like she used to do with his tie at the office.
"Besides, I remember the last time you played in the snow, and if I'm remembering correctly, you had a great time" she winks and heads out the door, Harvey in tow thinking back to that day years prior.
"What a gross day" he remarks, looking out the window of above his desk at the DA's office, watching the snow fall.
"I think it's beautiful" she says as she struts into his office, handing him a stack of folders.
"How can anything so cold be beautiful? Besides it just makes the roads a complete mess" he adds as she rounds his desk and fiddles with his tie, centering it. He smiles at her as she fixes it, what would he do without her, he thinks.
"Someone's cranky because he lost at poker last night" she observes
"I did not lose! What makes you think I lost?" he challenges
"Shirt... Tie… Stubble" she grins, knowing he knows what she means, they're been over this before, she's Donna.
"Even if I'd have won, I'd still hate the snow" he adds as she walks away. She calls back at him making a smart-ass comment about him being a grinch and makes her way back to her desk.
At 8pm they're both are still hard at work on a case, barely even noticing the snow-covered ground outside. It isn't until Donna begins to get ready to head home that she realizes most of the roads are closed due to the storm. She makes her way to Harvey's office, coat in hand and finds him reading over some paper work. She rarely sees him in glasses, but he looks handsome in them and she wishes he would wear them more often. He sees her hovering in the doorway and smiles up at her, closing his folder.
"What are you still doing here? I thought you had plans tonight?"
"Roads are closed" she sighs, taking a seat on the edge of his desk
"Guess I'll have to reschedule my date, again"
"He wasn't good enough for you anyways" he flirts
"Harvey you don't even know his name!" she chuckles
"Don't need to, to know he isn't good enough for you" he grins, beaming at her
"And let me guess, you'd be good enough for me?" she flirts back
"Well yes, but that's besides the point" he smirks. The pair had been working together for a few years and he absolutely adored the flirty banter they shared. Though nothing had ever happened between them, he wouldn't mind if it did. Donna was incredible, she was beautiful, smart and challenged him in ways most women would be afraid to. He knew better then to flirt with his secretary, especially when they had grown so close over the past few years, but he couldn't help himself if he was attracted to her.
He looks out the window again and takes in all the snow on the ground, "Looks like you're stuck with me for a little while" he says, unable to hold back his grin.
"Lucky me" she laughs.
Two hours and a bottle of scotch later the pair find themselves sitting on the floor of Harvey's office, Donna laughing at Harvey's impression of the Godfather. The snow seemed to have stopped so they decide they should try and hunt down a cab and head home. Waiting outside in the snow Harvey begins to grow inpatient at the lack of cars driving down the street as he paces back and forth waiting for a cab, while Donna waits near the door. He's about to give up and join her in her waiting spot when he feels something cold and wet hit the back of his neck, accompanied by Donna's giggles.
"You didn't just hit me with a snowball?!l" he questions, turning to face a Donna who is now laughing hysterically.
"What if I did?" she flirts
"Then it's so on!" he yells, scooping up some snow and firing it at her, the ball hitting her in the shoulder before it falls to the ground.
She chases after him with a snowball in hand, going after his perfectly gelled back hair do. Just as she reaches him and smushes the snowball into his hair he turns around and grabs on to her waist, swinging her around before scooping her up and holding her over a snow bank. She screams and pleas, begging him not to drop her into the snow bank beneath her. He's just about to throw her in when she reaches up and with one last plea places a gentle kiss on his cheek. He pauses and holds her gaze, putting her feet back on the ground seemingly in slow motion. She looks up at him, the want in her eyes mirroring his. He doesn't let go of her waist even though she is now standing firmly on the ground. She bats her eyelashes ever so slightly and he takes half a step closer to her, pressing her body against his. Her breath catches in her throat as she anticipates what's to come. He tilts his head down to kiss her and he's met with a nice chunk of snow to the face as she laughs and turns to run, Harvey chasing after her before both collapse into a pile of snow laughing. Neither address the moment that was shared between them, they just carry on as they normally would, flirting and tossing snow at each other before a cab finally appears down the street and they head their separate ways for the night. She never rescheduled the date she had for that night, she supposes it was a good thing.
"It is so on!" he calls at her after she hits him in the back with a snow ball and runs to duck behind his niece and nephew who can't help but laugh at the site of a snowy uncle Harvey. He chases after her, snowball in hand until he has her corned. He scoops her up in one fluent motion and holds her above a snow bank as she begs him to put her down.
"What do you think guys? Should I put aunt Donna down?" he asks the kids, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
"I think you should put aunt Donna down" she tries
"Oh, you do, do you?" he smirks
He gives in and puts her back on her feet, his hands lingering around her waist not wanting to let go just yet. She's batting those eyelashes at him, baiting him into taking a tiny step towards her, pressing her body against his. He watches as her breath catches in her throat, anticipating what's to come. He tilts his head down to kiss her and unlike years prior his lips met hers for a quick kiss.
"Now that I think about it, I guess I'm a pretty big fan of the snow" he says, smile growing up towards his ears as he and Donna take cover from the snowballs being hurled their way by the kids
Stay tuned for Chapter 13 - Specter Family Christmas Part 2!
