Hi Everyone! First of all, thank you for all the reviews and follows and favs! And I just have to say I love that people are still starting this fic even though it's so long already. So THANK YOU! Really! Also if you thought the last chapter was long, oops.. this one is even longer. (that's what she said), but unlike the trip chapter I couldn't really split it in two.. so uhm, there's a M-rated part in this :) maybe even more than one (depends on how much detail you consider to be M)..I BLAME IT ALL ON KORSH.. Let's hope for a good mid-season finale tomorrow.
I hope you enjoy this chapter and as always, I'd love to read your reviews! xx
Chapter 36 - Hartford
"Nooo," she laughed letting herself fall on the couch next to her younger sister Rose, "he's.. he's arrogant but in a way that it's almost charming," Donna clarified as she pulled her legs up, ignoring the frown and questioning face of her older sister. "I don't know how to explain it, okay," she reasoned, her eyes searching for those of her mother, silently begging her for help, knowing all too well that she shouldn't need to. She was always the one that was able to figure things out, read everyone around her. "And he's pretty funny."
"Pretty? Or funny?" Alice smirked.
Donna's eyes widened a bit, already regretting bringing up the subject altogether. She should have remembered that this was what their girls weekends were like. Maybe deep down, that too was a part of why she moved away.
"Apple's in looooove," Rose beamed before she could answer, the youngest Paulsen woman almost clapping her hands from excitement.
Donna shook her head, denying the statement. "No, I'm not in love," she answered defensively, her own sentence losing strength as she looked down at the end of it. Her mother's eyes met hers.
"But you could fall for him?" Martha spoke. She was after all the one Donna got her gift from.
She didn't even realise she did, but her head slowly moved up and down in a nod.
"What's the problem then?" Martha asked now, her hand reaching for the arm of her daughter who looked up with something that should resemble a smile on her lips.
"He's a.. ladies' man, sleeps around a lot and.. " she shook her head, "he's my boss," she added, a small laugh escaping her lips as she realised how cliché this must sound. "I mean.. maybe.. if we wouldn't have worked together."
.
Her head popped up as she felt the water droplets hit her legs, the sound of the glass shattering making her shake her head. Her mouth still left agape she took a step back, her hand automatically reaching for her stomach. Confused she looked at the piece of paper in front of her again.
'Harvey Specter's secretary calls on her spousal privilege rights in lawsuit against NYC's best closer.'
The words still the same but now almost making her feel nauseous, her shaking hand pushing the paper out of her sight first before she reached for it again. As fast as her body allowed her, she rushed herself back to his office.
Ignoring the phone ringing in her purse, she pushed the glass door to his office open with her free hand. "What the hell is this?" she spoke as she barged to his desk.
Dropping the paper in front of him, his head popping up at the tone of her voice. Immediately realising what was wrong when he spotted the newspaper. "Donna, I .." he pushed himself up from his chair, his eyes locking with hers and he could almost feel the anger burning inside her.
"I said I wanted to help," she fired at him before he got the chance to explain himself.
"I know what you said, but –"
"But what?" she shook her head, biting her lip as she felt the tears welling up again. Not wanting to cry, she looked away.
"Donna," he sighed, his shoulders dropping as he walked around his desk, his hands in the air ready to pull her into a hug when her phone buzzed again.
"Wait," she raised her hand stopping him, both annoyed by her phone that kept buzzing and the fact that he thought just hugging would make things okay. She demonstratively opened her Hermes bag in front of him, reaching for her phone she felt another wave of nausea hit her when she read the message from her older sister.
"You are MARRIED?! "
"Ooh shit," she mumbled still staring at her screen. "Ooh no, oh god."
Her words and the panicking look on her face making him even more concerned. "What is wrong?" he asked his hand now reaching for her upper arm.
She pushed it away. Pointing at the newspaper once more. "That's wrong," she fired back, "my sister just .." She paused taking a breath as she brought her hand to her head. "My parents. What if, " she mumbled stepping back, slowly starting to pace up and down his office. "My parents," she mumbled again.
He stepped closer. "Donna," he tried to calm her down but all she did was shake her head as she looked at him.
"I need to go over there," she backed away from him, her hand bringing the handles of her brown leather bag over her shoulder again.
"Don, please," he crooked his head following her as she moved to the door, but she continued shaking her head. "I'm coming with you," he stated as he followed her towards the elevators.
"No," she spoke her hand on his chest as she turned to face her.
"Yes I am," he argued, his hand reaching for the button of the elevator, but the elevator left from them opened before he could do so. His head turning to the left he saw Sean Cahill stepping onto the fiftieth floor.
"Harvey," the blonde man spoke immediately.
"Sean, wait," he raised his hand as he looked in Donna's direction again only to notice the empty spot beside him. His eyes just meeting hers as she stepped into the elevator. Her head shaking again, he could read her lips mumbling a no you're not. His hand falling flat against the partition Cahill frowningly looked into his direction.
"Everything okay?"
"No," Harvey answered with a sigh, "Sean I'm sorry, but I can't. Not now," he answered his hand already reaching for the button of the elevator again.
"Harvey," Sean warned. "I'm sorry but it has to be now."
.
A frown appeared on her face as she spotted her father sitting in her mother's living room. Her arms falling around her mother's neck, the latter already answering Donna's unpronounced question. "Your dad stopped by to pick up some old books and when I told you were coming over he wanted to stay so he could say hi to our New Yorker too," Martha smiled placing a kiss on the redhead's cheek.
"Hi mom," she smiled pulling back, her eyes already directed on her father as she watched James walking towards her. "Hi dad," she greeted her father, pulling him into a hug as well.
"Hey honey," he smiled his hands resting on her shoulders for a few seconds before he let go. "Everything okay?" he asked as he stared into her eyes briefly, but she nodded her head breaking the eye contact.
"Yes I'm fine," she answered as she turned around him, taking place at the table where he'd just been seated.
James reached for his stuff, knowing it wasn't really his place to stay here. But there was one more thing he needed to ask, his ex-wife just having told him their daughter had quit her job at the District Attorney's office. "Have you found a new job yet?"
Donna swallowed looking up at her father. "Yes," she answered a small smile on her lips, "moved to a law firm called Pearson Hardman," she explained and her father smiled.
"That's great, honey," he answered placing a kiss on top of her head before he left the Paulsen women alone.
Martha turned to face her daughter, the name of the firm she just heard not matching either one she had her daughter mention before. "How did that happen?" Martha asked and Donna pressed her lips together in a small smile.
"Harvey," she stated. "He uhm… he asked me to follow him," she added, looking down while her smile slowly faded. Something that didn't go unnoticed to the older woman who crooked her head. Her hand covering that of her daughter, a small understanding smile on her lips.
.
"And that should do it," Sean commented a half hour later as he pushed the papers over the glass desk.
Harvey lifted them up, briefly scanning the documents a smile appeared on his face. "Thank you, Sean," he commented standing up as he extended his hand.
"No problem, Harvey," Cahill shook his hand, "glad we can take that bastard down again."
Harvey grinned, nodding as he walked around his desk, his phone in his hand as he took the same elevator down. Her name already visible on his display he waited until Sean had left the building before he called her. "Donna," he sighed as her phone went straight to voicemail. Calling her again he made his way outside, realising he'd forgotten to call Ray he started walking home instead of waiting for a cab.
He rushed his way back to the parking garage when he found their place empty. He tried to come up with a plan. He knew she said she was going to see her parents, he also realised that that's probably where Ray had gone, but he needed to be absolutely sure she wasn't in the city anymore before he'd make the two-hour trip himself and possibly miss her coming home.
He texted her when he made sure she wasn't in her old apartment either, letting her know he was coming over even though she had said she didn't want him to do so. Making his way back to his Mustang he scrolled through his contact list, his thumb hovering above her parent's landline number. Letting out a sigh because he knew what it was like to get into an argument with her father and that wasn't about something as big as this would be.
Leaning against the door of his car, the phone pressed against his ear he studied the entrance of what used to be her apartment building. All the other times he'd waited there coming to mind, mostly after they'd gotten into a fight. When he needed to apologize or wanted to get her back, but it had always been about something relatively minor compared to this. And she'd always been there, but not this time.
He sighed, his eyes closing as he now also got the voicemail of her parents. Leaving a message, he walked back around his car. Now even texting her older sister that lived closest to her parents, asking if she was there. He just needed to know if she was okay.
.
She thanked Ray before she got out of the car, a two-hour drive upstate not part of his job description, but he was happy to assist when the redhead asked. She waved once more, taking a mental note to make sure the man got a raise. She let out a breath as she found herself staring at the green wooden door.
She rang the bell and the expression she found on her sister's face exactly matching what she'd pictured for the past two hours. Not even anger or annoyance, but pure disbelief. She'd always been the wilder one of the bunch, the one that wanted to act. The one that ran off to the Big Apple and never returned. She'd seen many looks on her sister's face, but never one quite like the one she got now.
"Is it true?" Alice asked as she stepped aside, helping her pregnant sister inside the house.
Donna let out a sigh, looking over her shoulder into the hazel eyes of her sister. "Do mom and dad know?" Donna asked instead of answering, "did they see the newspapers?" she added.
"They're not home," Alice answered as they walked over to the living room.
"They're not?" Donna wondered out loud as she sat herself down, wondering why she didn't know this. But then again she had been absent-minded lately.
"They're on that cruise mom always wanted to do," Alice clarified as she placed something to drink on the coffee table, "I told you two weeks ago."
"Hhhm," Donna mumbled, "must have forgotten," she added letting her hand run over her stomach as the baby kept kicking around.
Alice chuckled, seeing the redhead look at her baby bump and she immediately knew why the one that always knew everything for once didn't. She'd been there before herself, two times already. "Is the baby moving?" Alice asked then, her hand remaining in the air as she waited for Donna to look at her.
"Yes," the younger redhead smiled, her hand reaching for that of her sister before she placed it on top of her stomach. "Can you feel that?" she asked with a smile.
"Strong kick," Alice laughed as she smiled at her sister.
"I'm sorry I wasn't really there for you with Ella and Rosa," she whispered looking down. "You've told me so much and. .I .. I never .. I couldn't do that for you," she added.
Alice laughed out loud, shaking her head. "Finally something I know more about than you," she teased her. "Apple, it's okay.. I mean it's not like you could know back then," Alice responded, "besides you were far too busy working for your …"
"You can say the word," Donna added with a chuckle.
"So it is true," Alice answered, "you're married."
Donna let out a sigh, slowly nodding her head before she looked up to her sister again. "Please don't tell mom and dad," Donna begged, "or Thomas and Rose. Please.. "
"Don, you're married." Alice frowned, her head crooked as she let out a sigh.
"I know," Donna mumbled, "But I can't possibly tell them I married him for a freaking apartment," Donna blurted out then.
"You .. You did what? When?" Alice asked.
"Nine and a half years ago."
Alice's mouth dropped even further. "Nine years..," she repeated mumbling, "you've been married for nine years? You've been with him all this time and never said a thing?" the older redhead shook her head, still trying to make sense out of what she just heard.
Donna sighed, deciding there and then it was time to tell her the entire situation. Not just of how they got married, but everything. Her being the one that made them work together, the other time. Her rule. The trip to Italy, the apartment hunt turned wedding. How she even found out, therapy and how they were now together.
Alice sighed shaking her head, but knowing that deep down this was what her sister had always wanted. It might not have come in the most conventional ways, but it was a type of love that consumed her. "You must have really loved him," she commented.
Donna pressed her lips in a small smile. "I did.. I do," she answered nodding, "please don't tell them. This will all blow over before they even get back from their holiday."
.
Donna pressed her hands down on the couch as she tried to lift her body up. Alice's arm sliding around the younger redhead's back she helped her up. "I'm going over to mom and dad's," Donna spoke before Alice had a chance to ask questions.
"But they're not home," the older sister commented with a small frown.
"I know," Donna smiled, "just going to make sure that newspaper is nowhere to be found when they come back tomorrow evening," she added as an explanation.
Alice laughed, rolling her eyes. "So you're really not going to tell them?" she asked again.
"No," Donna shook her head, "not yet anyway. You know how difficult dad can be and .." she paused for a second, "I'm not entirely sure he's forgiven Harvey for not helping him with that investment thing seven years ago."
Alice shook her head. "I'm sure he has, Donna. Dad adores you and he knows how much you love Harvey."
Donna smiled brightly. "I know, but I'm still going to get that paper," she laughed, she'd always been the stubborn one.
"Do you want me to drive you there?" Alice asked as they walked to the front door.
"It's two blocks," Donna shook her head, "I think I can manage to walk."
"Are you going to stay there?" Alice asked, making Donna stop on the porch.
"What? Why?" she mumbled unsure.
"App, you're six and a half months pregnant," Alice pointed at her baby bump again. "You can't make two of those long trips after each other," Alice reasoned. "Here," Alice continued removing the key to their parent's house from her keychain. "At least stay there for a while to relax alright," Alice pushed, making Donna nod.
"Fine," she agreed, giving her sister a hug before she stepped outside. "In that case, I might come back later this afternoon," Donna continued, "when Ella and Rosa are back from school," she added.
Alice smiled, nodding. Waving at the younger sister as she walked away she reached for her phone again. Texting the lawyer once more, but this time she could actually answer his questions.
.
He exited the 91, following the directions to the destination he had in mind, but just got confirmed by a message from Alice. The moment he'd read the message a weight lifted from his shoulders, she was okay and he knew where she was. But he still needed to see her. In person. Tell her how sorry he was, but mostly how much he loved her.
Turning right he drove to the house he'd only been a few times. Three to be exact. The first time only months after they'd been on the business trip to Italy, she'd gone to her father to stay with him during the holidays and he'd showed up unannounced to get her back to work. There'd been a crisis and he'd needed her.
The second time was when her parents got re-married. It wasn't a big party, just a dinner, but Donna had been dating someone before. A banker probably, he didn't remember the guy's name. But it was a douche in his book anyway. She'd dumped him just a week before and he now knows it was just a trick. Those tears, but he'd joined her because she didn't want to be the only single Paulsen woman when the other redheads were either engaged or even had a kid.
He'd do anything for her anyway, but he had his doubts about the whole thing. Even if it was just his way of teasing her, of making her beg for his help. Something she rarely did. She eventually managed to convince him when she said it wouldn't be weird. Her brother also just bringing his best friend from collage to the party, Julie. Imagine not just his shock, but Donna's when the woman told them they were moving in together.
The third time was just a couple of weeks ago. When he came to talk to her father after the whole, 'why aren't you two married'- debacle, and him needing advice on how to ask Donna to move him with him. He hadn't been able to truthfully answer that first question of the older man and now, now they must have heard one way or the other. Read it in the papers themselves, his voicemail message or Donna told them. Something he didn't want her to do alone, it was his request all those years ago after all.
Pulling up next to the red brick house, he noticed how the car wasn't outside. He wondered what that could mean, but then again it could have easily still been inside the garage. He let out one last breath before he made his way out of the car and over to the bright blue coloured door.
Sighing once more he lifted his hand, ringing the bell he prepared himself for the anger of her parents, but mostly her father. He could hear the locks turning on the other side of the door. His hands buried in his pockets he looked down one last time. The creaking sound of the wooden door, making him lift his head again. His eyes instantly locked with hers, he could hear her phone dropping from her hand, but neither of them acted on it.
It wasn't him and it wasn't her either, but simultaneously he stepped forward as she let her arms slip around his neck. Her baby bump pressing against his stomach, he held her close. Her lips brushed against his. A few hastily kisses soon replaced by a more urgent and deeper one.
Her tongue teasingly against his lips, he pushed them forward, closing the door behind him. They both fell back against it, laughing, consumed by the other. Her hands moved to his tie, she undid the knot, their lips still locked. Moving his hands to her cheeks, he held her head as he pulled back the slightest. Her fingers brushing against the skin of his collar bone. "Donna," he tried to catch his breath, "y.. Your p.. parents."
"Not. Home," she mumbled in between kisses as she let her hands slip over the lapels of his suit jacket. Undoing the two buttons, she tried to push the piece of fabric over his shoulders, as both of them stumbled through the hall way.
"What?" he breathed pulling back once more, his hand firmly holding onto her waist as she bumped into a cabinet next to the stairs.
She studied the confused expression on his face, letting out a laugh as she kissed him again. "They're not home," she whispered, the pace in which she was unbuttoning his shirt increasing.
"Donna.." he mumbled, trying to use her name as a protest of what was happening. Not the what but the where.
Her hands moved to his shoulders, her nails scraping his skin. "I. Don't. Care," she breathed, pressing her lips on his again. "I. Want. You. Now."
It were four words that worked every single time. He knew it and she knew it, his hands immediately moving over her sides he lifted her up. Placing her on top of the antique cabinet, one hand moving to her back. Cursing himself when he struggled with the hidden zipper, after all these times he should have learned she chose those dresses on purpose. His other hand pushing her dress up as he stood between her legs.
"So.." he frowned, he hated it when his mind was occupied with other thoughts, especially when it was related to him screwing things up. "They don't know," he mumbled his question, his thumb moving over her hip.
She shook her head, her hand fighting his as she couldn't be bothered with him removing her dress. "They don't," she whispered in his ear as her one free hand traced the edge of his pants. Her eyes closed, her nails scraping over the rosewood cabinet. Biting her lip before his name rolled off her tongue in a gulp when his fingers hooked under her panties.
A smirk appeared on his face as he studied her, knowing all too well she would make him pay for it in a few seconds. "That means they.." his own breath faltered as she undid his belt.
"Could you stop talking about my parents," she ordered mumbling, as she pulled him closer. Kissing him again as she tried to pull his pants down with her toes, her left hand disappearing into his boxers for as good as her bump allowed her from this position.
He groaned, his lips warm in her neck. Leaving small bites on her skin caused by the tortuously slow movements of her hand. She kissed his jaw, her right hand slipping through his hair at the back of his neck until she tried to lift herself up ever so slightly. Allowing him to pull down her red lace underwear. He briefly opened his eyes, wanting to see her. His gaze landing on the phone next to her auburn locks.
"Fuck," he mumbled, louder than intended as she pulled back to look at him. Her left hand now on his chest.
"What?" she frowned, trying to clear her mind on what caused him to say that.
"Phone," he mumbled, his hands still moving over her thighs.
Her head crooked to the left for the briefest of moments, her gaze falling on her phone on the ground. "Never. Mind," she whispered in his ear, her lips placing kisses down his jaw. "I'll. Pick. It. Up. Later," she added in between kisses, her hands moving over his chest.
"That's," he tried to move away a bit, "Not. What. I. Meant," he moaned on her lips, kissing her again.
Her eyes closing once more as she gave in before she wondered yet again what was going on. "What?" she mumbled, her head shaking. Her hands on his shoulders she pushed herself back a little. Her eyes finally locked with his again.
He let out a breath. "I called your parents," he answered, nodding his head in the direction of the phone behind her. "Told them what happened," he added as he could see the dots connecting in her mind, her frown disappearing, only to make her eyes widen. "Tried to explain us."
"Us," she repeated a laugh escaping her lips as she looked at him. Her mind already going over the possibilities, maybe not even sure how she would explain them. "I need to hear that," she answered, curiosity getting the better of her, she pressed the 'voice mail' button with her right hand.
"Really?" he mumbled, pulling her closer as she laughed, nodding. Her arms fell back around his neck, pressing her lips against his in a brief kiss before she let her head rest against his. Both of them listening to his words in the background.
She giggled, "you didn't say that."
"You just heard me say it," he argued and she smiled as his voice in the background continued explaining how much he loved her.
"Harvey," she whispered, looking into his deep chocolate brown eyes, "take me upstairs."
.
He pressed his lips against her temple, letting his fingers run through her auburn locks. "I'm sorry about the newspaper," he whispered, his right hand drawing lazy patterns on her stomach.
"That's not your fault," she whispered, turning her head to look at him.
He nodded before he shook his head. "I should never have made that decision for you," he admitted, looking down. "I'm sorry... I just wanted to protect you." His hand moving over her stomach to cover hers.
"I know," she whispered, letting her head rest on his chest. "What did Cahill want?" she asked.
"He came to tell me that they those accounts are indeed Forstman's doing," Harvey started, his fingers moving over her knuckles. Slowly letting his fingers slip between hers. "And that Nick isn't the only one who received monthly deposits."
She nodded, waiting for him to continue.
"Cameron," Harvey continued, "he's probably doing this to protect his brother, who's in there with Frank Gallo, that psychopath."
"And how do you plan on stopping him, them?" Donna asked, her eyes locking with his again.
"We're going to try and let Cameron's brother wear a wire, hoping we'll catch either or both of them talking about this," he answered. "In the meantime, we asked for the trial to be postponed. Nothing to really worry about," he squeezed her hand, smiling at her. "So," he whispered, leaning on his left elbow as he admired her.
"So," she repeated in the same tone, a smirk appearing on her lips as she just looked at him.
"This," he mumbled, looking around a bit, "is your childhood bedroom," he added, biting his lip.
"What?" she smiled, questioning his expression.
"Nothing, I just..." he mumbled, looking over his shoulder one more time before he hovered above her.
She squirmed under him, her hands on his shoulders. She didn't need to look already knowing what he meant. "I was a theatre geek okay," she laughed looking away.
He bit his lip, his knee brushing against hers, he brought his hand to her face. Removing the red locks from her eyes, he let his fingers rest under her chin. Slowly turning her head to make her face him, he moved closer. Kissing her again. "I know," he whispered on her lips, "but this isn't even the poster of the musical. It's the movie one."
She laughed. "Ooh so now you're complaining about the posters I put up?" she challenged him, his mouth dropping slightly but he didn't answer, her hands moving to his hair. Letting her fingers slip through it, she made a curl in the front. "What can I say," she teased him, "he looked hot."
"Pff," Harvey scoffed to her amusement. "I'm far better looking," he countered, a smirk appearing on his face as he saw her bite her lip. Not wanting to give in, but he knew she thought so too.
"I didn't know you back then," she defended herself. "Besides I was like fourteen when I put that thing up, he was my first celebrity cru –"
The rest of her sentence left unspoken as he pressed his lips against hers. "Shut up," he mumbled jokingly as he kissed her again. "He is way too old for you anyway."
.
He walked through the hallway, the four redhead women surrounding him, but he only had eyes for her. His redhead, in that beautiful white summer dress. "You ready?" he asked the moment his eyes locked with hers.
"Yes," she smiled, hugging her sister goodbye as the latter reached for the door again. "Ooh.. Wait.." she mumbled, turning around as she made her way through the crowd. "Got to pee," she pushed her brown leather bag in his hands as she rushed her way to the bathroom.
Harvey laughed, his head turning to Alice when he heard her sister laugh too. "Get used to it," the older redhead commented as she nodded her head in the direction of her daughters.
He smiled, looking at the little girls hanging around their mother's legs. "Can't wait," he answered truthfully, his hand moving over the five-year old's head.
Donna walked back, lingering in the doorway she studied the way her sister and the love of her life were talking. The way her nieces hung around him, she'd always known he was good with kids. He didn't see Marcus kids often, but when he did the kids always seemed to love him and even with her own nieces it was no different. Her hand moving over her stomach, she could only hope it would be the same with their own kid. She stepped closer, her hand reaching for the purse he was holding for her.
"You two will be great parents," Alice told them with a smile.
Harvey's hand reached for Donna's as he looked at her again. "This one will be amazing," he spoke his eyes still directed on his redhead.
Saying their goodbye's once more, she hung her bag over her right shoulder as they stepped outside. His right hand untangling from hers, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders as they strolled over the sidewalk. "What?" she challenged him as he pulled her closer, her eyes searching for his as she looked to the left.
"Just thinking about how beautiful you are."
"What do you want to do?" he asked a few minutes later, breaking the comfortable silence between them. "Go home?" he added for clarification as they neared her parent's house again.
She thought about it for a second before she shook her head. "It's Friday Night. We might as well stay here," she answered searching for the key. "My parents won't be back till tomorrow late afternoon anyway."
He chuckled softly, mumbling an "okay," as he kissed the top of her head.
.
She walked down the stairs in his boxers. Pulling his dress shirt over her shoulders she buttoned the shirt up as much as possible before she set foot in the hallway again. Her hand moving over the cabinet, she smirked as she reminisced the day before.
Tying her hair into a lazy bun she made her way to the kitchen. Turning on the coffee machine, she searched through the cabinets for something that resembled food. Pulling out a pack of cereal, she looked in the freezer finding a bread. "Harv," she tiptoed her way back to the hall way, calling for him. "Do you want corn flakes or toast?" she asked waiting for a few seconds, realising he was probably still under the shower.
He frowned as he thought he heard his name being called. He moved his head out of the shower. "Donna?" he mumbled wondering what was going on, but as an answer lacked he moved back under the shower.
"Harvey," she called again. Letting out a sigh when he didn't respond again. She made her way back, mumbling an "I'll just make some toast," to herself as she pulled out the toaster oven, putting two slices of bread in it. Grabbing some plates and finishing of Harvey's coffee with a hint of vanilla, her head popped up in shock as she heard a clink. Her gaze immediately landing on the toaster oven a frown appearing on her face when the machine wasn't finished yet.
"Donna?"
She heard her name being pronounced in a familiar voice, she turned around further on her heels. Her mouth dropping as she found herself staring into the hazel eyes. "M.. mom?!" she nearly exclaimed as she saw the woman standing in the middle of the hallway. The purse of the older woman nearly dropping from her hand.
Quickly wiping the towel over his face and upper body, he wrapped the piece of fabric around his waist. Stepping back into Donna's old bedroom he shook his head when he realised Donna must have put on his clothes just now. Moving his hand through his wet hair, he remembered that he thought she'd called for him.
"You.. you're home .. uhm early," Donna mumbled as she slowly walked towards Martha, "where uhm.. is dad?" she added, feeling her cheeks turn red as she remembered her own outfit didn't leave much room for interpretation.
"Donna," Harvey called for her as he made his way down the stairs, abruptly coming to a halt as he spotted not one but two redheads with hazel eyes staring up at him. "Ooh god," he mumbled, his eyes widening as he had to hold onto the banister to stop himself from falling down. "I.. uh…" he stuttered his gaze focussing on Donna who's expression mirrored his own. "I.. uhm.. am .." he pointed back up the stairs, not even finishing his sentence as he climbed the stairs with two steps at a time now.
Donna slowly turned to face her mother again, unsure of what to say. "Welcome home?" she mumbled, trying to throw a smile in her answer as her mother laughed loudly. Donna found herself freezing up for a second when her mother pulled her into a hug. "Hi mom," she whispered then, as Martha kissed her on her cheek.
"Now I get why you waited all those years," Martha teased the younger redhead as she stepped aside, leaving Donna there with her eyes still wide. "Your dad was collecting our bags," her mother told her, squeezing her hand, making Donna come back to her senses.
"Yeah .. I uhm..," she pointed to the stairs, eventually following Harvey. She closed the door behind her, a laugh escaping her lips as she saw him pace through the room in just a towel. They really were quite the pair.
"Donna," he turned to face her the second he heard the door fall shut. "You.. Your parents are here," he mumbled pointing at the door, bringing his hand through his hair. "Your mom pretty much saw me naked," he added.
"You're wearing a towel," she crooked her head stepping closer to him.
"They know we had sex," he reasoned, his worrying tone making her laugh. He frowned looking at her.
"Harv," she reached for his hand, placing it on her baby bump, "I'm pregnant," she reasoned, her hands ran over his arms. "Now you're pretty magical, but not that magical. They know how this," she nodded at her own stomach, "happened."
He sighed, looking at her with those puppy eyes. "That's not –" He swallowed in the remaining words as she pushed him down on the bed.
"I'm happy to remind you how it happened," she smirked her eyes locking with his, as he struggled to lean on his elbows.
"Donna, your parents," he mumbled in protest.
"What about my parents?" she challenged him, letting her hands move over the edge of his shirt. Quickly undoing the buttons, she dropped his shirt on the floor. Biting her lip she stepped between his legs.
"Are you serious?" he swallowed, his gaze briefly dropping before his eyes locked with hers again.
She nodded, moving closer. Her hands resting on his shoulders. "Very serious," she whispered as she sat down on his lap.
.
She looked at him in the reflection of the mirror, a smile appearing on her lips as she applied her make up. His hands on her back, he pulled up the zipper. "Harvey," she whispered closing her eyes as he briefly kissed her on her shoulder, hearing him whisper how she should wear her hair down as his fingers moved over the mark he left behind the day before. She rolled her eyes, removing the towel from her head, she moved it to his. Her hands slipping through his hair, she removed the remainder of droplets. "I got to call Alice," she whispered on his lips as she tossed the towel on the sink.
He frowned, but decided not to question her words. They really needed to make their way down stairs soon.
She let herself fall down on the edge of her bed. Her phone pressed between her ear and her shoulder, she brushed her hair as she looked at him. Biting her own lip when she got another glimpse of his torso, she patiently waited for her sister to answer.
"Donna, is everything okay?"
She sighed, looking away from him as she reached for her phone, changing it to her other ear. "I need you to come over now, "she mumbled hastily, as she searched through her bag for her lipstick.
"What? Why?"
"Because you said mom and dad wouldn't be home till later this afternoon," Donna hissed as she simultaneously painted her lips in her signature colour. "And they might have come home a little too early," she added, "if you know what I mean."
She heard her sister laugh. "It's not funny," she reasoned pushing her bag away as she started looking for her flats. "Alice, I'm serious," she paused for a second, looking in his direction again. "I don't know what's happening. I can't even look at him without… " she turned around again, pacing through her room. "Please. If I got to be here with mom and dad for a while, I need you all here."
.
She adjusted the pillows in her back as she wiggled on the couch. She tried to focus on the conversation her father and Harvey were having, but he was just too close. The smell of his cologne intoxicating her and the warmth radiating through her body as his shoulder brushed against hers made her swallow. Crossing her legs, she leaned forward slightly. Nodding she pretended to follow whatever the two most important men in her life were talking about, but all she could hope for was her sister showing up as promised.
"Right?" Harvey looked in her direction, placing his hand on her knee.
Her eyes widened in the process, her own hand gripping onto his leg. Her nails digging into his skin harder than intended, even through the layer of fabric. "Yep," she replied popping the 'p' as she tried to look out of the window behind her father. "Ooh look at that," she beamed, pushing herself up. "Alice and Jasper are here," she added as she tried to make her way to the door.
Her sudden movement making the others frown, Harvey turned to face James again. "So, yeah... The room for the baby is almost done, we just need to get some blankets and clothes."
Donna hastily opened the door, smiling at the two little girls she kissed her brother law on the cheek before she pulled Alice inside. "That took you long enough," she mumbled her eyes still wide as Alice sighed.
"Thought I'd give you some time," she answered matter-of-factly, "in case you needed to finish something," Alice added, her eyebrow raised she stared at Donna with one of those looks Donna gave Harvey from time to time.
"Hilarious," Donna answered through her teeth before a chuckle escaped her own lips. She should have known this was the way Paulsen women communicated to one another. "That was already taken care of," she mumbled then and Alice rolled her eyes as both redheads followed the others into the living room. She linked her arm around her sister's. "I do need to talk to you about something," she nodded her head in the direction of the dining room, her feet already carrying her in that direction.
"Mom, dad, Harvey," Alice waved as she followed Donna who was already half way to the adjoining room. "Okay," Alice started as she closed the door behind her. "What's the problem?" she asked as she sat herself down at the table.
"I... " Donna mumbled, pacing through the room. "I'm so.. " she turned around again. "I can't .. I can't even look at him without .."
Alice raised her eyebrows, throwing a questioning face in her sister's direction, but she knew all too well what Donna meant. What she was experiencing, it was just fun making her sweat a little. It's what Donna always did to them. Asking them the questions, demanding details without ever fully sharing herself. "Without what?" Alice countered smirking.
"Sex," Donna breathed sitting down herself, "I can't stop thinking about sex. He just has got to look at me, touch me or even just say something and I – "
"Hormones," Alice commented, with a small understanding smile. "Believe me you're not the first woman this has happened to," she added for comfort.
"Not the first woman this happened to, what?" their mother repeated as she joined them in the dining room, leaving both younger redheads speechless for a second. "What's going on with you two? Sneaking off like this from family gatherings just like when you two were young," Martha shook her head as she walked towards them. A can of cookies in her hand, she offered both of them one.
"Apple here," Alice nodded at Donna, "can't stop thinking about sex."
"Alice," Donna hissed her eyes widening as her hand slapped on the table, missing her sister's arm.
"It are the hormones," Martha commented as she turned around, reaching for the teapot. "It's different for every woman," Martha continued, poring the two sisters a drink, "but ooh.. when I was pregnant of Rose, your father just had to –"
"Mom!" both sisters exclaimed at the same time.
Martha put the teapot down fiercely. Giving both of them a stern look, all the times she'd been there for both of them. During happiness and heartbreaks. "I just hope it isn't so bad he can't keep up with you," she commented then, her face not giving anything away.
"Hhmf," Donna scoffed, looking away, "that's not the problem. He's very … " she paused for a second thinking about the word she was going to use. "Helpful," she settled, a blush creeping up on her cheeks. "It's just .. I didn't think this urge would happen. Again," she explained looking at her stomach. "Not at this stage," she placed her hand on her stomach as she let out a deep breath.
Looking up she stared at two pair hazel eyes that looked at her in understanding. Donna shook her head, laughing at herself. "I almost quit working for him, because I was afraid I'd jump him in the office," she reminisced, "and now I .. I actually did. Twice last week."
Her mom laughed, reaching for her hand in the process. "You'd better enjoy it now, honey," she squeezed Donna's hand, "when the baby is there things will be different for a while."
Donna nodded in understanding, briefly looking at Alice who nodded at her as confirmation.
"Now we're talking about you two anyway," Martha continued, her fingers moving over those of her daughter's as she still held onto Donna's hand. "When's he going to propose?" Martha gave her a hopeful look.
Donna swallowed thickly, she wasn't planning on telling her mom. "Ooh," she raised her shoulders trying to discard the comment, her free hand moving in the air before it landed on her stomach.
"Should I talk to him?" Martha offered then, squeezing Donna's hand once more. "Really," she continued, "last time he was here I thought he was going to ask your dad. In fact –"
"Mom, no," Donna interrupted her.
"Ooh come on, Donna," Martha crooked her head.
"Mom please," Donna begged. "Alice, help me," she mouthed looking at her sister, her eyes wide as Alice didn't know what to do either, especially now that their mom got up and made her way back to the door. "He can't propose to me," she blurted out then. Her words made her mother stop in her tracks, her face faltering she looked back at her two daughters. "Not .. technically," Donna added whispering as she looked away.
"Donna," her mom spoke calmly now as she walked back to both women. "Are you saying what I think you're saying?" she added, letting her hands rest on the back of the chair she was previously seated.
"Uhm," Donna mumbled, "I.. I don't know."
Martha sighed, crooking her head as she studied her daughter. "Donna, is he married?" Martha mumbled then and it was the way Donna swallowed. The way the pregnant redhead's eyes dropped slightly that made her mom realise he was. "He is," Martha mumbled looking down, unsure how to respond to this.
"To me," Donna added then. Giving her mother a small smile. "He's married to me," she repeated.
.
She hugged her mom when they said goodbyes. Giving her one more look, her mother winked. "Don't worry honey," she whispered as Donna nodded, walking over to the man that remained oblivious to the whole marriage thing.
"Goodbye, dad," Donna kissed Jim on the cheek after a hug, before she made her way to her older sister and her family.
"Apple," Alice said her goodbye's to Donna.
"Alice," the redhead laughed, as she waved at the kids when Harvey said his goodbyes. Her hand soon being held by his again, they made their way to the mustang.
"Ready?" he asked as he sat down next to her on the driver's seat.
"Yeah," she nodded with a smile, she loved her family. She did, she really did, but she was never one for spending too much time with them.
"So," he started as they drove off, his hand landing on her leg once more. "Why does Alice call you apple?" he asked, briefly squeezing her knee to make her look at him.
She swallowed, straightening her back as her hand caught his. "If you want me to be able to answer that," she wiggled her fingers between his, "you got to stop touching me like this."
He frowned, looking at her in the rear view mirror as he tried to read her face for an explanation.
"Not when I can't do anything about it," she added with a smirk as she tapped his hand.
He chuckled, pulling his hand back to the steering wheel. "You're so needy," he teased her, not even having to look to know she rolled her eyes.
"Right. Mr Harvey 'I need you' Specter," she answered mimicking his voice as she crossed her legs, moving them away from him when his hand moved in between them again.
"I was just going to switch gears."
She shook her head at his smirk and the way his hand caught hers made her sigh. "Just drive home fast, okay?" she mumbled looking out of the window.
"Yes ma'am," he smiled, bringing her hand to his lips. He kissed her knuckles before he let go of her hand. "So apple?" he asked again, making her laugh.
"It's silly," she started, turning to look at him. "But they started calling me that ever since I took off to the Big Apple and never returned, because –"
"Of me?" he threw a look in her direction and she laughed.
"Not everything is about you, mister," her hand softly pushing his shoulder.
"Isn't it?" He smirked and she rolled her eyes.
"Well," she started, "you were part of the reason I never went back, but I fell in love with the city first. And I was so set on making it," she looked down. "Everyone stayed up here. Alice, Thomas, Rose... and I," she shook her head, "I was never like them. I had this dream and I needed to follow it. I wanted to act, work on or off Broadway," she started telling and he nodded listening to her, realising there were still so many things to learn about her.
"They always told me to be careful. That it would be hard, after everything with dad. And I knew that, but it started quite well actually. Did auditions and got a small role in 'As you like it.' Audrey," she closed her eyes recalling it. "And it was great, it was.. it really was and they were proud back home. Because I did it, I did what I set myself to do. Something they probably never really believed I would."
He switched lanes, looking at her briefly as she continued talking.
"And then there weren't that many auditions anymore," she whispered, "yet bills to pay and I.. I didn't want to give up. I didn't want to go home, because I failed.. No," she scoffed, shaking her head. "I wouldn't fail," she paused emphasizing the words. "That's what I told them, right before I left. So I got a summer job at the D.A.'s office, which allowed me to do both." She looked at him briefly. "And then the summer job turned into a full-time job as the parts I got became less and less," she paused. "And then I met you."
"I'm sorry," he whispered, looking at her and she frowned at the tone he used.
"Don't," she shook her head, disagreeing with him.
"But you never got to realise your dream, because you were helping me realise mine," he answered and she nodded, understanding where he was coming form.
"That's not entirely true though," she countered. "Yes I helped you and yes I never became the actress I pictured myself to be as a kid, but it was still my choice," she reasoned. "I asked if I could work for you," she pointed at him. "And yes I know I said I wanted to become an actress back then and that I didn't want to follow you to the firm. I know I did, and just because I did follow you or didn't pursue my acting career, doesn't mean I'm not proud of what I've done."
"I loved acting," she smiled, "I did, still do. But I chose this because I knew what it was like to struggle. I knew the odds of someone making it were close to zero, no matter how good they were," she paused, remembering the words she once told to Louis. "So yes instead of pursuing my teenage dream, I chose this and maybe that let me pretend I was good enough to make it," she shook her head as she smiled at him.
"But I still made," she nodded, "It might not have been acting, but I am the best legal secretary of the city. Like you're the best closer New York has ever seen," she smirked and he smiled nodding at her.
"You still could," he answered his hand reaching for hers again.
She looked down at their hands, letting his fingers slip between hers. "I don't think that will be an option now, with this one here," she commented, looking back up at him.
"Donna," he whispered, his eyes a little watery as he looked at her. "You shouldn't give up on it. Not if you really want that, not because of me or the baby," he answered.
"But I'm not," she shook her head, "Remember how you always talked about your goals and what you said when you reached one?" she whispered looking at him again.
He nodded. "Onto the next one," he answered.
She nodded repeating his words. "Yes acting was, maybe even is a dream," she started, "but it wasn't the only dream and it doesn't mean my other dreams didn't come true. Of being successful in my chosen profession. Of finding love, having a family."
He looked at her, his eyes filled with pride as she kept talking.
"I didn't just stay or come back because of the pay check, or the stability it gave that I lacked in my childhood. Or because it allowed me to live in the fantasy that I could have been a successful actress. Or you giving me those puppy eyes and telling me you need me, but because I needed you too. You and everyone at the firm became part of who I am too. I love acting, but I love my job too and besides the memo debacle, I'm damn good at what I do."
"You are," he confirmed, squeezing her hand. "But you were excellent as Portia as well last year," he added with a smile and her eyes slightly widened as she looked at him.
"You still remember the role I played?" she mumbled.
"Of course," he nodded, "I've seen you in all your plays by the way. Even if you didn't invite me."
She stared at him for a while, not sure if she believed him.
"For real," he added as he noticed she wasn't sure about his statement.
"And when did I not invite you then?" she challenged him.
"When did you invite me?" he countered, his eyes meeting hers in the rear view mirror again.
"I merely stopped asking because you hate theatre," she shot back.
"But I love you," he answered, letting his thumb run over the back of her hand. He didn't need to explain for her to know why he showed up, even if she never really saw him there, besides last time, but now that he could say the words, he said them whenever he could.
"Well, in that case," she smirked. "I'll make sure you'll get an invite in a year or two if I'm starring in something then."
He smiled at her. "When," he corrected her.
.
She stared at the signs above the highway, seeing how it was still 85 miles till Manhattan. Tapping her fingers against the door, she looked down at how his hand had miraculously found its way to her thigh again. Swallowing she cursed herself for looking at it, for how his touch still affected her. Especially now.
She looked out of the window. Trying to block that almost ticklish feeling that was starting to formulate between her legs, her mother's words coming back to mind. "Better enjoy it now." Her gaze drifting back to his hand once more before she looked at him again. "I need to pee."
"What?" he asked, his hand lifting from her leg as he brought it back to the steering wheel, his head turning in her direction.
"And I'm hungry," she added with a thin smile pointing at her stomach. "Maybe we could make a stop in New Haven," she suggested. "Find a restaurant, have dinner and drive back later?" she added. "Cause I really need to pee," she emphasized again.
"Alright," he answered, turning on the signal as he switched to the right lane. Handing her his phone he asked her to search for a restaurant she liked and a mere fifteen minutes later they pulled up next to the restaurant. A small frown appearing on his face as he reads 'wine bar' under the big illuminated letters, but then again a restaurant would serve more than just wine.
He helped her out of the car, her arm linked around his as they entered the lobby of the hotel the restaurant belonged to. He walked her to hallway on the side. "Why don't you go to the restroom and I'll go and see if they have a table for us," he whispered, letting his arm slip from hers.
She grabbed his hand instead, pulling him towards her as she took another step to the left.
"Donna," he mumbled unsure as he followed her.
"I don't need food," she whispered turning to face him, her hands on his chest, her lips near his ear. "I need you," she added nibbling on his earlobe.
Her words and actions sending a rush of blood down his body, he had to hold a groan. "God, woman," he mumbled, his voice darker and huskier than just before. He placed his left hand on her waist as he held her close, his right hand moving to cup her face. He kissed her then. Once. Short, but filled with passion. He let her go, briefly. Just for her to check if the ladies restroom was empty.
She signalled for him to come inside. Her hands on his chest she pushed him against the door. His hand turning the lock as her lips captured his again, her hands removed his jacket in the process. He brought his hand to her hips, letting his hands slide upwards as his lips tucked on hers. His tongue brushing against hers as she deepened the kiss. Her moan muffled against his.
She unbuttoned his shirt even faster than the day before. The palm of her hand radiating against his skin, she could feel his heartbeat starting to increase. His hand cupped her breast, something he didn't do that often anymore because they'd been too painful. Yet today everything seemed different as she moaned his name. His hips grinding against hers, she could feel the bulge formed in his pants pressing against her thigh.
"Harvey," she whispered low, her head thrown back as his lips placed hot wet kisses down her neck until he reached that one spot on the edge of her collarbone. "Harv.." the rest of his name missing as he pressed his lips against hers again, walking both of them over to the sink.
He gently placed her against the marble top of the cabinet, pulling back he stared at her again. His eyes darker like hers, he noticed how her lipstick was already smudged as he brought his thumb to her slightly swollen lips.
They didn't speak, he didn't have to ask, it was all her who initiated this and he was happy to oblige as she removed his belt. Her hand moving over his groin as she undid the zipper, he nearly groaned. Her hand sliding into his boxers, she let her fingers run over his length. Feeling him getting hard under her touch.
Unlike the day before he needed to see all of her. Feel all of her. His hand moving to her hips again, he pulled her closer, her hand still between them he slowly trusted against the palm her hand. His mouth near her ear as he quickly turned her around, her hand freeing his erection from his boxers in the process.
He told her that today, today he would remove that dress. Pulling the small piece of metal down, as he kissed the base of her neck. His tongue sweeping over her delicate porcelain skin, leaving a mark right next to the one of the night before. Claiming her as his again.
He hastily moved the straps of the white dress over her shoulders, his eyes meeting hers in the mirror as the piece of fabric fell to the ground, pooling around her feet. She let her hands rest on the sink in front of her, pressing her back against his chest in the process.
He smirked, his hands caressing her back, his thumbs moving over the dints in the small of her back. The mirror allowing him to see every expression she made caused by his touch. His left hand moving up, slipping under her bra he flickered her nipple between his fingers. His right hand moved over her baby bump until it slid inside her red lace panties. His fingers brushed through her wet folds as he let his tongue trace the curve of her neck again till he reached her ear. "You're lucky I know a good lawyer, in case we get caught," he spoke on the rhythm his thumb moved over her clit, burying two fingers inside her.
She gulped at his actions, her knees trembling as she bumped backwards against his hard-on. "We. Won't. Get. Caught. If. You. Hur..Hurry," she countered letting her hips roll against him, by every movement his hand made between her legs. She lowered her arms, letting her elbows rest on the counter. She looked up in the mirror, taking in his expression. The concentration spread across his face. Being able to read every little wrinkle around his eyes. The way he bit his trembling lip as she grinded against him. "Har..vey," she begged, the way her voice missed a beat showing him that no matter how much pleasure he was giving her, she wanted him. All of him.
Taking her change in position as his cue, a small gulp escaping her lips as he withdrew his fingers from her. He brought both his hands back to her hips, pulling down her soaking wet panties, his wood pressed against her. Bending forward he slowly but deeply moved inside her, burying his head in the crook of her neck, her perfume made him feel lightheaded.
Her body moving forward by his thrust, her breasts came in contact with the cold marble countertop. The odd but welcome sensation on her nipples turning her on even more as he picked up the pace. Panting, he thrusted inside her on a quick but steady pace. Rapidly drawing abstract patterns, he moved his right hand over her thigh and back between her legs. The slow circular movements of his fingers stimulating her even more. Her body froze for a second, her eyes closing as she bit her lip to stop herself from screaming his name.
Finding herself pushing her body further back up as he drove inside her, she hastily turned on the tab of the sink, a loud moan escaping her lips as soon as the sound of the flowing water echoed through the room.
"Resourceful," he kissed her jaw with a smirk.
"I know," she mumbled, looking over her shoulder as he kissed her deeply. Thrusting again, he felt her walls spasm around him, her sex throbbing against his thumb. Seeing the look of pure ecstasy forming on her face as he kissed the base of her neck ferociously.
His thumb continuing faster circular movements until an "ooh God, Harvey," rolled off her tongue in a scream. Her voice and the near breathless shakes of her body as she let herself completely go, pulled himself over the edge.
"Fuck Donna," he growled as his chest collapsed against her back. His lips softly sucking on her skin as his left hand moved over her body. His hand cupping her breast again he held her close when he slowly pulled himself back. His right hand making sure a second wave of bliss rolled over her a few seconds later.
Her mouth dropped, unable to speak she let her head rest against his chest. Her body resting against his, he turned them around. A thoroughly spend Donna in the embrace of his arms, she whispered a thank you in the form of a lazy kiss on his lips.
He smirked, moving his right hand to her face he removed her auburn locks from her face. "Anytime," he kissed her cheek as he pulled his boxers back up. "Do you still want to grab dinner," he whispered as he helped her back in her dress.
"No," she shook her head as her eyes locked with his in the mirror. "Let's go home," she smiled.
.
Harvey threw the carton boxes of the shitty Thai places she loves in the trash. Washing his hands, he looked up in her direction. Seeing her slowly move from the couch to the baby room he smiled, he hadn't even been able to tell her about the surprise yet. He let the towel drop on the counter as he walked towards her. Following her inside the room, he wrapped his arms around her waist as he pulled her towards him.
"Like it," he mumbled as he noticed her taking in the wallpaper with water coloured cactuses on it. It's not really what they'd planned on, but he'd seen it and it made him think of them. "We can still add some blue accents," he whispered. "Or redo it all if you hate it," he offered as she turned around in his arms. A big smile on her lips.
"It's beautiful," she answered, still in awe of the white wooden crib and the rocking chair that were already there. She looked around again, her gaze landing on a picture is a brown Labrador on the wall. A laugh escaping her lips she turned to face him again. "Max?" she asked.
He nodded. "Because this all might not have happened if it wasn't for him."
She chuckled, shaking her head. "It might not have happened like this," she spoke her lips brushing against his. "But I'm sure it would have happened," she told him. "We were meant to happen."
He grinned, pressing his lips against hers, "I hope you're right cause I wouldn't want to miss all this for the world."
She smiled looking down as she wrapped her hands around his neck. "Please," she shook her head as she thought back to that day. "If Tanner wouldn't have shown up, you might have taken me on the floor of the gym," she teased him and he rolled his eyes.
"I don't know about that," he lied because he had been close to doing exactly that.
"I do know," she answered, "I'm Donna."
He laughed, letting go of her briefly as he sat himself down in the rocking chair. Signalling for her to sit down, he wrapped his arms around her as soon as she did. It wasn't something he ever pictured himself doing, but now that he could touch her he always had to do that. Hold her close. His hand caressed her baby bump. "Only two and half more months," he spoke softly.
She nodded, covering his hand with hers. "I can't wait to meet him," she answered, shifting a bit as she buried her head in the crook of his neck.
"Gordon Specter Jr," he mumbled. A hint of sadness visible in his tone, she caressed his cheek. Knowing all too well that it was only a week till the anniversary of his father's death. Harvey's hand moved over her stomach, his eyes locking with hers as he spoke. "He would have loved to meet you, pumpkin."