\-oOo -/
"Harvey Specter! And his ex con protege. What brings you both to this side of town?," Jack Soloff greeted them when they both strode into his office with purpose.
"NYC Law Services," replied Harvey shoving his hand into his pocket as they both stood in front of the other man.
Jack leaned nonchalantly back in his chair eyeing the two men with disdain. "I'm sorry but what?"
"You heard us. Who the hell do you think you are stealing our clients?" Harvey demanded.
Jack scratched his salt and pepper beard absentmindedly. "I've no idea what the hell you are talking about! But if someone is stealing your clients then maybe you should ask why they want to leave that sorry ass firm of yours." He chuckled to himself .
"I knew he would deny it Harvey. Our private investigator identified your car at a location in Queens," Mike said.
"A ten year old Hyundai no less. I see you're no longer making the big bucks," Harvey quipped looking around the sparsely furnished office. Files and books lay strewn across the floor and Harvey could barely look at the layer of dust on the filing cabinet because it gave him anxiety.
"A 10 year old car and a cheap suit with an office in Brooklyn. I guess times haven't been all that good to you since Rand Kaldor let you go," Mike said.
Jack lowered his head and then glared at the two. "I decided that I had enough working for money grabbing greedy firms so I branched out on my own."
"Is that what you call it?" Harvey asked raising his eyebrows. "Maybe other firms saw your performances evaluations and decided that you had reached your peak 20 years ago."
"I don't know anything about NYC Law Services or why your private investigator has my car details but one thing I do know is that I will be filing a legal action against you both for slanderous accusations!"
"When Jessica left the firm she left with me a very interesting document. I'm sure you know what's in it," Harvey said.
"Ah good old Jessica. How's she handling her new job with the mayor in Chicago? "
"I'm sure you wouldn't want your little indiscretion made public do you? That puts you in a world of shit. I can call Donna now to issue a press release, " Harvey said pulling his cellphone out of his inside pocket. "She's ready to run with it."
"Guys, I don't know how many times I have to tell you. I don't know anything about NYC Law Services. I don't know why my car was seen in Queens. I've been out of town for the last 6 weeks."
"Where did you go? " asked Mike.
"Boston. You can get your investigator to check the Boston Memorial Hospital for my admission there," revealed Jack.
Harvey and Mike glanced at each other. "Why where you admitted to hospital?"
"I had a heart attack when I was visiting up there. I had open heart surgery. I can show you the surgery scar if you want proof? So I couldn't possibly have been in Queens at any time in the last 2 months."
"Did you lend your car to anyone?" Harvey asked feeling a bit guilty for harassing the other man.
"No I didn't," replied Jack. "Unless my 16 year old son took it out. And you will be damn sure I'll be asking him about it."
Harvey looked at Mike again who gave him a small nod and they both turned to leave the office. "Hope you're feeling better."
Jack leaned back in his chair with a weary sigh and waited for them to leave the building. Picking up his desk phone he dialled a number.
"Damn answering machine," he muttered before leaving a message.
"It's me. When you get this call me ASAP and tell me what the hell you were doing with my car at Rockaway? You said it wouldn't be traced back to me."
\-oOo -/
"So if it wasn't Jack then who was it?" Mike asked while Harvey took his cellphone out to make a call once they were sitting back in the black Lexus.
"Damn it. Celia isn't answering," Harvey muttered listening to the number ring out. He pressed a number on his speed dial which put him straight through to Vanessa.
"Check Boston Memorial Hospital's admissions office for Jack Soloff in the last 6 weeks " he said to her.
"Will do Harvey," she replied.
"I may need you on something else as well. Stay tuned," he said before hanging up the phone.
"None of this makes sense," Mike said scratching his head.
"No it doesn't," replied Harvey. "I do know one thing though!"
"What's that?"
"It was fun in there. Just like old times," grinned Harvey.
"Yeah it was," Mike said with a little chuckle. He glanced out the window of the car with a heavy sigh.
Harvey sensed the change in his mood. "What's wrong?"
"It's Rachel. We were trying for a baby but it hasn't happened. We decided to give it a break for a while, " Mike said.
"You both decided or you decided?"
"I decided," replied Mike with another sigh. "I couldn't handle seeing her disappointment when she found out she wasn't pregnant."
"I'm not the best person to come to on advice on having babies but there are other options you know," replied Harvey.
"I know but we got in big fight and I told her I didn't want to try other options."
"Why not?"
"I don't know if I'll be a good father. I was a fraud who went to prison for pretending to be a lawyer. What if my child ever found about that? What would I tell them?"
"You deal with it when the times comes," replied Harvey. "And Mike. You will be a great father."
"If Louis can do it then I guess anyone can," grinned Mike.
Harvey laughed and rolled his eyes. "As long as you don't ask me for advise on the best birthing position or if I knew any doulas! You and Rachel will work it out."
\-oOo -/
Rachel stood deep in thought in the elevator as it sped up to the 50th floor. She was glad to be back in New York even if it was just for a few days. She missed it. She missed the firm and her friends but she also loved her life in Seattle. She heard her phone ringing in her bag and she fished it out noticing that it was her Dad calling her.
"Hi Dad. Hope you have the vineyard spick and span for the weekend," she grinned.
"Rachel, your grandmother fell and broke her leg last night. Your mom and I are going to the hospital now," Robert said over the phone.
"Oh my God! Is she ok?" Rachel asked as her hand flew up to her mouth.
"She's going into surgery now," replied Robert. Rachel could hear the upset in his voice.
"Mike and I will be right over. Which hospital are you at? Is it Mercy?" she said stepping off the elevator.
"She's at Mercy. But you don't need to do that honey. She'll be in surgery and then recovery for the rest of the day. Come and see her tomorrow."
"Ok. Give her my love Dad," Rachel said.
"And will you tell Donna that I won't be at the firm retreat but they're all welcome to come up for the weekend."
"Ok I will Dad," she replied. "I love you."
"Love you too baby," Robert said before hanging up. Tears prickled in her eyes as she thought about her beloved grandmother. Her cellphone beeped and she saw that it was a text from Mike saying they were on their way back to the firm. The elevator dinged and she turned to see Louis getting out of it.
His eyes lit up when he saw her and dragged her into a big bear hug. "Rachel! It's so good to see you. Sorry I missed you yesterday."
The familiar feeling of her friend's hugs brought out a loud sob from her and he frowned when he stepped back to see tears streaming down her face. Keeping his hands on her shoulders he stared into her face even though he was not used to females bursting into tears unless you could count Sheila's hormones which changed from tearful to rage at any given moment. "Rachel? What's the matter? Is it Mike?"
She sniffed and wiped her eyes with the hankie he proffered her. "My grandmother had an accident and broke her leg. She's going into surgery now."
"Oh my god!" he exclaimed taking her by the arm to go to his office. They passed Donna in the conference room who gave them a quick wave when she noticed them. She nodded when Louis indicated that they were coming in.
"Louis, how's Katrina?" Donna asked.
"A little shaken up but the cops are looking into it. She's taking a couple of days off," replied Louis. "Rachel's grandmother broke her leg!"
"She's 88," sniffed Rachel sitting down on the conference room table.
Donna sat beside her and put her arm around her. "She'll be fine. She's a Zane after all!"
Rachel laughed quietly. "Dad said he won't be able to come to the retreat but that everyone else are welcome to go."
Donna glanced at Louis who gave a small nod. "I think under the circumstances it might be best to cancel the firm retreat."
"No," Rachel said blowing her nose. "He wouldn't want that. And you've put so much work into it."
"I think it would be best and besides it wouldn't be right with Robert not there," Louis said.
"I agree," Donna answered. "I'll let the others know. We can have a big Christmas party instead."
Mike and Harvey arrived back at the firm and saw them all in the conference room. Harvey's cellphone rang and he answered it while Mike noticed how upset Rachel was.
"What's going on?" Mike asked when Rachel got to her feet and went to him.
"Mike, Gramma Z had an accident and broke her leg. She's in surgery."
"Oh poor Gramma Z," replied Mike. He had become particularly fond of the elderly lady who reminded him of his own grandmother.
"Mike, Dad said we didn't need to be there tonight but I really want to be."
"Ok, let's go," replied Mike taking her hand. He looked back at Donna and Louis. " It's not Soloff. Harvey will fill you in."
"Ok thanks, Harvey said hanging up the phone. "Soloff's story checks out. He had heart surgery 5 weeks ago. So it wasn't him."
"So we're back to square one then," sighed Donna.
"Looks like it," Harvey said. "Where's Celia? She needs to hear this too."
"Is she back from the clinic yet?" Louis asked looking out the conference room door. He spotted Gretchen at her desk and remembered that he had asked her for a list of wet nurses in the city.
"Haven't seen her," replied Donna.
"What if there is really something wrong with her? That would be awful! " exclaimed Louis as he left the room muttering to himself.
Harvey and Donna stood in awkward silence for a moment. They hadn't spoken about him turning up at Thomas's party the other night.
"Why did she go to the clinic?" asked Harvey with concern.
"She wasn't feeling well," Donna said picking up her files. "She thinks it might be a virus."
Harvey nodded and bounced on his heels for a moment. "I meant to say congratulations to you and Thomas."
Donna flushed and smiled. "Thank you Harvey but I told him I would think about it."
"Why do you need to think about it? If you love the guy then marry him," replied Harvey. It almost killed him to say those words but she did look very happy with Thomas at the party.
"I'm not sure..."
"Not sure of what Donna?"
Donna felt it seemed like he was almost willing her to say that she didn't love Thomas but instead she just smiled at him. "Nothing Harvey. Nothing."
\-oOo -/
Celia arrived back at her office after her visit to the clinic. She hoped that she didn't meet anyone on her way back and ask her what was wrong. Gloria, her secretary, was away from her desk which was also a relief so she wouldn't have to see her either. Sitting down at her desk she took the sonogram photo out of her purse and stared at it.
Gloria saw her as soon as she got back to her desk. Hearing the knock on the door Celia looked up and hastily slipped the photograph under a pile of documents on her desk.
"Was everything ok?"
Celia cleaned her throat and smiled. Still not ready to have that conversation with anyone. "Yes just low blood sugar. Everything is fine."
"That's good," smiled the secretary. "Your 2pm meeting with Boylston Technologies was rescheduled for Thursday at the same time. And Clarkson wants a meeting about the merger."
"Thank you Gloria," smiled Celia.
She stood at the door for several seconds. "Will that be all?"
"Um...could you please cancel the rest of my afternoon and no calls please. Except Dr Drake from downstairs. She said she wanted to schedule a follow up appointment."
"A follow up? But I thought everything was ok," replied Gloria.
"Everything is fine! Could you just do that! " snapped Celia. She saw the look on her face. "Thanks Gloria."
Gloria started to leave the office but stopped and turned. "Celia. If you ever need someone to talk to you know I'm always here."
She gave her a small smile. "I know."
Her cellphone buzzed and she saw that it was Stu calling her. She let out a sigh but didn't answer it. Things were complicated enough at the moment without adding him to the mix.
\-oOo -/
Mike glanced at Rachel sitting beside him in the back of the taxi as it crept through the city streets to the hospital in Harlem. The traffic was horrendous and the taxi driver honked like a mad man at everything that got in his way.
"Everything will be ok," he said taking her hand.
"You don't know that Mike!" She snapped at him.
"No you're right. I don't know that but we just have to be positive and get through this Rachel," he said kissing her hand.
She didn't reply and continued to look out the window.
"I know this isn't the best time to say this Rachel but if you want to we can start trying for a baby again."
She turned her head to look at him. "Why did you change your mind?"
"I was afraid," he answered honestly.
"Afraid of what Mike?" she asked giving him a puzzled look.
He let out a long breath. "About becoming a father. That I wouldn't be a good enough one. That one day I'd have to tell him or her that I was in prison for pretending to be a lawyer."
Rachel's face softened and she squeezed his hand. "I have fears too Mike. But we can do this together. We're a team!"
He gave her a big grin. "So we are really going to do this?"
"We are," she smiled. "And I know you didn't want to do this but we should look at our other options if it doesn't happy naturally. Once Gramma Z is over her surgery."
"Ok," replied Mike leaning over to kiss her.
\-oOo -/
Celia sat on her couch in a daze. She still couldn't believe it. She looked up when she heard a knock and saw Donna standing by the door.
"Hey," the red head said coming into the office. "How did you get on at the clinic? "
Celia stared at her unable to say anything for a moment. "I'm...um...I'm pregnant." Saying it out loud felt alien to her. Making it real.
Donna's eyes widened as she closed the door. "Oh my god! What...who.. How?" She didn't want to mention that she and Gretchen had already guessed.
Celia got to her feet and walked to the window. "It's Phillip's."
"I thought you and he didn't...weren't... "
"We did. The night before he was taken into custody. I'm 11 weeks."
"Oh my god," repeated Donna.
"Say that a few more times and you will get to where I currently am!" sniffed Celia .
"Kind of explains everything though," Donna said. "How are you feeling about it?"
"Donna I'm going to be a 40 year old single mom who works 15 hours a day. What am I supposed to do with a baby? Keep it in a bassinet in the corner? I can't have a baby!"
"So what are you going to do?"
"I don't know. I'd have to baby proof the apartment. It's a studio apartment. What would I do when it gets bigger? I'd have to tell my mom. She's going to be so judgemental. What do I do if the baby is sick and I have to work?"
Donna watched as she paced back and forth. "Cece. You don't have to make any of these decisions yet!"
"But I do Donna because in 6 months time I'm going to be squeezing a tiny human being out of me! I'm not going to be able to dye my hair... "
"I thought you didn't dye your hair," Donna said with amusement.
"I don't but I won't be able to if I wanted too!"
Donna walked over to her and placed her hand on her shoulder. "It's going to be fine."
Celia shook her head. "I need to get some fresh air. I need to think. But Donna please don't tell anyone yet!"
"I won't Cece," Donna smiled as Celia picked up her bag and coat to go out the door.
Donna walked back to her office deep in thought. She picked up her cellphone that she had left on her desk and dialled a number.
"Hi it's me. I was wondering if you are free for dinner tonight."
\-oOo -/
The late afternoon November sun created a dappled effect through the trees that had not yet lost their leaves as Celia walked through Central Park. There was a cold bite in the air. It seemed that once November had arrived it turned colder. It would soon be Thanksgiving and then Christmas. Life has a way of moving forward even when you didn't want it too thought Celia. She came upon the little coffee place near the ice skating rink and decided to sit for a little while. After ordering a ginger tea she sat outside under the canopy. Even though the patio heater provided a lot of warmth she huddled inside her coat.
She sat sipping her ginger tea. Ginger was apparently good for nausea according to the doctor earlier. The pains she had been experiencing was nothing to worry about. The doctor had explained it was normal to have twinges due to the uterus expanding and stretching. It was ok to go running again. She wouldn't be able to play hockey until after the birth. Alcohol was of course off limits and she would start taking folic acid supplements. Her blood pressure was a little high but that would be closely monitored.
From her vantage point she watched the world go by until she realized that all she was watching was pregnant women or fathers out with their kids. She smiled to herself when she watched one man teach his son how to ride a bike. She noticed one heavily pregnant lady sitting on a bench being joined by an another woman. The two kissed each other on the lips and the other lady placed her hand lovingly on the bump.
"Excuse me? Do you mind if I sit here?"
Celia turned to see a young woman with a stroller standing beside her table. "Not at all."
She sat down and turned her attention to the pink bundle squirming in the stroller. She spoke soothingly to the baby and fixed the blanket. "She's announcing she's awake."
Celia peeked into the stroller and saw the the little thing stretch out her arm from under the blanket and yawn. "She's beautiful. How old is she?"
"3 weeks old," smiled the lady. "But the best thing I ever did."
Celia smiled as the lady took the baby out and held her against her shoulder. She felt tears prick up in her eyes and she blinked rapidly to stop them.
"How far along are you?" The lady asked smiling at Celia.
"I...I just found out. 11 weeks."
"Well let me just say. That everything you have read about childbirth and labour is true. But once you hold your little one for the first time and look into their eyes. You immediately forget about the pain. It sounds cliched but the rush of love that you feel for your baby is is unlike any other love you have felt," the other woman said settling her baby back into the stroller.
Unable to say anything for fear of bursting into tears Celia gave her a small smile and nodded her head slightly.
"Good luck with everything," the lady said standing up and pushing the stroller out..
Placing her cup down on the table Celia got to her feet and headed out of the park. She had made a decision. She was going to have this baby and do it alone. It would be loved and protected and not want for anything. She exhaled slowly and smiled to herself as she walked through the park.
\- oOo -/
Donna finished lighting the last candle in her apartment. Her living room was lit with dozens of candles giving the room a warm glow. Jazz music played quietly on the stereo. It was Harvey's dad's album but she had always loved Gordon's music. It didn't occur to her to put any other music on.
Donna let out a sigh as she poured herself a glass of red wine. She glanced in the mirror and fixed her hair when she heard the knock on the door. Smoothing down her dress she opened it to see Thomas on the other side.
"I hope you don't mind but I brought the wine" he smiled holding out the bottle of red wine.
"I don't mind in the slightest," she replied kissing him lightly on the lips. He raised his eyebrows when he saw the room filled with candles.
"I thought it would be nice," Donna said by way of explanation.
"Always the hostess," he smiled leaving the bottle on the table. "Nice music. I always had a love for jazz."
"It's.. " She realized that she was going to tell him that it was Harvey's dad's album but thought the better of it. "I ordered from the shitty Thai place."
He gave her a puzzled look. "Shitty Thai? It is going to poison me?"
"No," laughed Donna. "It's pretty good. We order it a lot at the firm."
"So how was the firm today? Still standing?" Thomas removed his jacket and sat on the couch.
"Yeah just about. Rachel's grandmother broke her leg. We thought we had a lead as to who was going after our clients but we didn't and one of the partners is pregnant, " she said sitting down beside him.
"Busy day then!"
"Oh yeah! And how is newly named Thomas Kessler Designs fairing?"
"Pretty good. We got a big order already for the new designs. For a chain of hotels in Europe."
"Thomas. That's terrific. The new designs are amazing!"
The two were silent for a moment . "Thomas. I wanted to apologize for my reaction the other night when you... "
"I wanted to apologize too. I really shouldn't have sprung something like that on you without talking to about it first," he said lightly running a finger up and down her arm before leaning forward and kissing her shoulder.
"I was in shock I think," admitted Donna with a smile.
"I know," he said with a nod of his head.
Donna glanced at him with a smile before taking his hand. "So do you think we should have a long engagement?"
He gave her a puzzled look before his face lit up in recognition of what she was saying. "Wait a minute! Are you saying what I think you are saying?"
"Yes it Thomas," she smiled. "I will marry you!"
To be continued