Here's Part 3 of Specter Family Christmas! Enjoy xx
Ch 14 – Dec 24th – Specter Family Christmas (Part 3)
"Good morning beautiful" he whispers pulling her closer to him beneath the covers, breathing in her familiar vanilla scent as he places a gentle kiss on her temple.
"What do you want to do today?" he asks
"I was thinking…" she grins mischievously, already knowing he won't be a fan of what she has in mind
"what if we baked some cookies"
He can't stand baking and she knows it, but being a true gentleman, and in the spirit of the season he agrees.
They had decided a few days prior that they would exchange gifts today since they were headed back to the city on Christmas day. She smiles at the thought of him opening what she'd gotten for him. Lily had been a huge help and she can't believe the two of them managed to get his gift together in only a few days. She's tempted to give it to him now but decides to wait for a better time. Besides, she doesn't want to leave her spot in his arms just yet. She is awestruck at how incredible the past few days had been. Not only was Harvey getting along well with his family, but the two of them seemed to just click as a couple. They had seemingly stepped into a comfortable routine that took most couples months to find, likely a result of the long term friendship that lead them to this point. They had somehow managed to resolve all of their issues from the past decade within a week. It turns out that once one of them opened up and was honest about their feelings, the rest came easily. She can hardly believe the Harvey holding her so closely is the same Harvey that once failed to tell her how he loved her. She closes her eyes taking it all in. This was real, they were really here, spending the holidays together.
"You can run but you can't hide" Harvey calls out, searching the kitchen and living room for Donna who is hiding from his spatula covered in cookie dough.
What started out as a romantic afternoon of baking had turned into a full pledged food fight. Harvey just couldn't help himself from smearing chocolate across Donna's nose as she taste tested the dough, and she was happy to retaliate by rubbing cookie dough into Harvey's hair. The pair was now engaged in a rather intense game of hide and seek, the loser likely to be covered in baking supplies.
She sneaks up behind him as he searches the kitchen for her and reaches around him to smear chocolate across his face with a laugh. She turns to quickly get away, but he quickly has her caught between his arms. She turns to face him as the two of them collapse into a laughing fit, the thought of their childish war finally hitting them. They sink to the floor leaning back against the kitchen counter trying to catch their breath.
"I don't think I've ever enjoyed baking as much as that" he grins
"That's because you've never baked with me" she says matter-of-factly
"Hmm, maybe we should do it more often"
"Careful with those words Mr, I'm going to hold you to that commitment" she says
"I think I can handle it" he flashes her a toothy smile
"Harvey Specter, handling commitment, who could've seen that coming" she teases
"Guess you have that effect on me" he admits, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small box, "speaking of effects you have on me"
She eyes the box curiously from her spot next to him on the floor. She would recognize that unmistakable blue anywhere, Tiffany's. The realization hits her all at once, slamming into her and leaving her near breathless. He wasn't seriously proposing to her? Was he? They'd barely begun dating and even though they both knew it was going well, they couldn't possibly be at this stage already, could they? She did overhear him say he wanted to marry her. Her thoughts are racing, matching her elevated pulse and he must sense the panic in her eyes because he grabs her hand and quickly exclaims,
"I didn't even realize what this looks like!"
"I'm not proposing to you Donna; though I wouldn't mind doing so one day, just umm… down the road" he stutters in clear panic. He hadn't realized that his timing combined with the small blue box he was holding would come across the way it had, otherwise he would have gone about this differently. He watches as her face relaxes into a timid smile and he feels himself relax along with her.
"It's no engagement ring, but um open it" he mumbles placing the box in her palm.
She opens the box and peers inside to find a stunning yet simple silver Tiffany band. She picks it up and turns it over, revealing a small date engraved along the outside. Her smiles widens as she takes in what is engraved along the band, it's the anniversary of the day she came to work for him.
"Harvey, this is… this is beautiful" she says, sliding the ring onto her index finger; a perfect fit.
"Merry Christmas Donna" he whispers as he leans in to kiss her.
After cleaning up the mess they made while baking, the pair head upstairs to get ready for Christmas dinner.
She's rummaging through her suitcase looking for a sweater when Harvey comes back from his shower and takes a seat on the end of the bed. He watches as she tosses garments aside, presumably looking for a specific top.
"Would you have said yes?" he asks softly, unable to help himself from asking what he had been wondering all afternoon. He didn't mean for her to think he was proposing when he gave her the gift, but the panicked look on her face makes him wonder what she would have said had he have asked.
She pauses, stopping the rummaging through her suitcase and turns to face him. She knew something had been on his mind this afternoon and had been waiting for the shoe to drop.
"What?"
"Would you have said yes? If it was an engagement ring in that box" he tries again
She smiles softly at him and takes a seat next to him, "I don't know" she admits
His face falls at her answer and he tries not to let her words get to him, at least not while she's around. She notices his silence and continues
"It's not that I wouldn't want to Harvey, it's just, isn't it a little soon?"
"I guess so" he says
"I'm not saying that I wouldn't want to marry you, in fact I would love to marry you someday" she says, "I just want to get to date you for a while first"
"You don't have to explain Donna, I agree it's too soon, which is why I didn't propose to you" he winks, confidence now re-instated after she mentioned she would marry him someday. He never intended on even having this conversation so soon, and he had no plans of proposing to her (yet anyways), he just couldn't not ask what her answer would have been.
"So, it's settled we're not getting married" she jokes back
"Well not yet anyways" he smirks
She goes back to her sweater hunt, grinning like an idiot. Leave it to Harvey to diffuse a serious conversation; that they didn't need to be having and make her smile. In a weird way, she's glad he asked the question, but more pleased they're on the same page. She wasn't lying when she said she'd love to marry him someday, start a family and everything that comes with it, and she knows what she told Harvey was the right thing to say, but deep down she knows what she would have said if it had been an engagement ring in that box; yes, yes, a million times yes!
"We can't tell you how grateful we are to have you all here with us today to celebrate the holiday's" Marcus begins his toast at dinner, "Mom, Bobby, Katie and I are so grateful for everything you do for us and the kids. Katie, I don't know how you do it but somehow you manage to put up with me and still have time to deal with these knuckleheads" he nods at his kids who giggle. "Dad, I know you're out there watching over us and we miss you every day" Donna takes Harvey's hand under the table and gives it a small squeeze, knowing how much he would love to have his father present tonight. "And finally, to my big brother, we're so glad you finally made it home for the holiday's, and we're even happier you brought this wonderful women along with you" he gestures towards Donna causing her cheeks to redden.
"To family" Marcus concludes his toast raising his glass and waiting for the others to follow suit before they begin their meal.
After dinner Harvey and Marcus help their mother with the dishes, while Katie and Bobby go to put the kids to bed. While everyone is occupied Donna takes the opportunity to bring Harvey's gift into the bedroom, so he'll find it when they return later. She stops to fix her lipstick in the mirror when she hears to door begin to open.
"Hiding?" he teases, looking behind her to the canvas that was perched against the bed, his eyes lighting up.
She follows his gaze to the painting that sat at the foot of the bed and watches his eyes light up as he takes in what is portrayed on the canvas. The painting resembles the one that used to hang in his office, however in place of his mother painting a duck, sits his father playing his guitar, a young Harvey still looking on to the scene from his seat on the floor. He can hardly comprehend what he's looking at. The painting was clearly the work of his mother though it depicted a young Harvey and his father. He blinks back the tears forming at the corner of his eyes.
"Donna… how?"
She cuts him off before he can finish, "I asked your mother if she could do one to replace the one in your office and she suggested you might like this one instead" she smiles
"This is…. Thank you" he manages as he pulls her in for a hug, holding her against his chest as he runs his hands through her hair and places a delicate kiss on her forehead.
"Merry Christmas, Harvey"
The following morning is a whirlwind of wrapping paper, presents and laughter. The morning is come and gone in an instant and before they know it it's time to hit the road and head back to the city. Harvey thanks Marcus for having them and promises he'll be back to visit soon before he begins to load the bags into the car. Donna hugs Marcus and Katie goodbye, thanking them for their hospitality and then hugs Lily goodbye. Before she can turn and head to the car Lily whispers into her ear,
"Thank you"
"For what?" Donna asks her, slight confusion lingering in her voice
"For loving my son" she smiles, and with that Donna heads to the car and climbs into the front seat next to Harvey. As she buckles up her seatbelt the light catches her ring and he smiles to himself at the fact she's wearing it. She smiles at him as he begins to pull away, a doe-eyed look plastered across her face.
"What?" he laughs noticing how she is looking at him.
"I'm just really glad we got to spend the holidays with your family"
"Me too" he agrees
"Now back to work. You know since Mike and Rachel already know, do we really want to keep this a secret at the office?"
She pauses to contemplate. She supposes there isn't any harm in anyone knowing now that she's confident their relationship isn't going anywhere, but she feels like she owes it to Louis to tell him directly; rather than him hearing it from some associate.
"I guess not. Just let me tell Louis first, okay?" she asks
"Alright" he nods. His heart races in his chest at the notion of not having to hide his feelings for her. He'd done enough hiding over the last 13 years, he loved Donna Paulsen and he didn't care who knew it!
And there we have Specter Family Christmas! Stay tuned for Ch 15 - 'Something Wicked This Way Comes', and as promised one LITT new years eve party!
I hope you enjoyed the family Christmas, I would love to hear your thoughts!