A/N: Chapter 20 is here! I never thought this story would be so long! Six months later, it's still something that brings me a lot of joy to write, but it wouldn't be half as rewarding if it wasn't for all the support from you guys. So thanks a million for that.

On Saturday morning, Harvey slowly opened his eyes, letting his new surroundings seep into his consciousness. Donna's bedroom was dark, even though the curtains were fighting hard to keep the morning light at bay, little pools of illumination decorating the floors beneath the windows.

The flight back home had been smooth and being able to take the thick winter coat off had been a welcome change from the icy Seattle weather. The trip had proven to be exhausting and a tad overwhelming. Therefore, both Harvey and Donna had taken the opportunity of a morning off to rest up.

He felt her stir, enough to wake him up fully, a sense of ridiculous delight settling deep within him.

"Hmm, I must say, I do prefer waking up here instead of out on the deck." He snuggled closer to her and pulled her body against his own, spooning her. He honestly couldn't care less about where he woke up, as long as she woke up next to him. But to wake up surrounded by her scent, not just coming from her, but from her pillow, her bedsheets, the entire room, was something else. It was everything he had longed for and missed for two grueling years.

"At least you know where you can sleep when we have a fight," she mumbled, smiling, curling into herself, not yet ready to face the day.

"We won't fight," he whispered, pressing his fingertips into her hip.

"Please. We always fight. We're good at it." Donna kept her eyes closed. While she was definitely amused by how cheerful Harvey was, waking up in their bed, in their home, she didn't want to get up just yet.

"We're good at making up, too," he said while brushing his lips over her neck, nuzzling her.

Donna could tell by the scratch of his stubble that he was smiling. "That's why we fight in the first place," she deadpanned, leaving him stunned for a moment as she grinned inwardly.

Moving his lips closer to her ear, he was sure he felt her shiver under his touch. "Can we fight right now?"

"Harvey, right now I'm not done sleeping yet. We can fight later." Hugging her pillow a bit tighter, she tried to ignore the feel of his warm body pressed against her. She loved him, but she loved sleep, too.

"Fine. What time are we meeting Mary?"

"One."

"It's nine-thirty now, so I'm gonna head to the gym." His voice changed in pitch as excitement colored the words. He had been itching to go boxing for days but had gladly sacrificed his regular workout schedule to visit with his friends. It had resulted in his muscles begging for a good punishment when even all the sex with Donna hadn't given him the exertion he craved.

He left a scratchy kiss on her bare shoulder and climbed out of bed.

Donna blindly reached behind her, patting the empty space he had left, and mumbled halfway back into slumber, "Don't shave."

Looking at a sea of red manes peeking out from under the covers, Harvey couldn't contain his grin.

To get his gear, he'd have to make a quick stop at the Airbnb he was renting. Never needing much, he hadn't brought many belongings plus most of them were already at Donna's from their trip to Seattle. In no time at all, he would pack up the rest and leave that place for good, because as fate would have it, he had a new home.

.

Donna got up about an hour after Harvey left. Although he had yet to officially move in with her, she found his toiletries all around her bathroom. His clothes were in her hamper and there were once again two toothbrushes by her sink. His powerful presence already permeated her life and there was no turning back. They were in this. All in. It both elated and terrified her. Truthfully, the entire experience had, from the moment they had encountered each other, the mix of emotions had become a new type of normal. The roller coaster they were on would definitely continue dazzling them for a while.

Above all, Harvey was here and he was here to stay. Thoroughly thrilled to introduce him to her social life in Santa Monica, Donna had offered they meet Mary for lunch, convinced that Mary and Harvey would hit it off, just like she and Mary had. So far, he'd been on the sidelines, because she'd kept him there. However, it was time he got to know the new people in her orbit.

Harvey had left a note saying he'd meet her at the restaurant. She had a much better idea.

Standing in the doorway of Big John's Gym, Donna glanced around the room crowded with mostly half-dressed men, beating punching bags or lifting weights. The loud, pumping music, the scent of sweat mixed with disinfectant as well as mixtures of heavy grunts and clinging metal filled her sense.

She didn't spot Harvey right away, until her eyes landed on him in the ring, all sweaty and powerful as he furiously attacked his sparring partner, who seemed to be well-matched, taking hit after hit, while delivering a few punches of his own. Punches that made Harvey stumble backwards and cringe in pain. His opponent with the crew cut looked wickedly intimidating and Donna turned her eyes away, flinching. She had never actually seen Harvey fight. Sure, she'd seen him hurt a few times, but that was always after the fact. The sight of him getting struck was like being hit herself, and she couldn't watch no matter how hot he looked when he was dominating.

"You must be Donna," The low voice came from behind her making her turn on her heel to find a big, bald man with a scar above his eye and a large grin on his face extending his hand. "Adrian. I'm a friend of Harvey's."

"And you know who I am?" she asked incredulously.

"Oh, we all know who you are. But trust me, it's all good. I'm happy you guys have worked things out. He was a mess when he first walked in here."

"Really?" It was one thing to know Harvey had spent ample time here, but never once had she considered he'd talk about her.

"When we first met, he went for Tony's throat for making a comment about you."

"Tony is the one in the ring with him?" That guy was young, lean, and radiated strength. At a glance, she would say Harvey was no match for the fighter and still he had antagonized him over her?

"That's him."

Adrian studied the gorgeous redhead staring at the men in the ring and he understood Harvey's infatuation. At first sight, she was a graceful beauty, but with his knowledge gathered from hanging around fighters all day, he could tell she was a warrior herself. Her posture and her eyes revealed she had seen her share of pain and was not to be messed with. He also remembered what Harvey had said about her ex and what the fucker had done to her.

"I was there when he almost killed your ex, too. If we hadn't pulled him off the poor bastard, I don't know what would have happened. Tony and me both had to use force."

As the words hit her, Donna's eyes shot to the imposing man standing next to her, recoiling at the vivid image. If it had taken those two men to get Harvey off Jeremy, he had no idea how goddamn lucky he was to still be alive.

"Tony is the best fighter in this place. But your man is rather good himself. One of these days he might kick Tony's ass."

Donna smiled to herself, feeling proud of her man. Letting her gaze wander to Harvey, she took in his fighting stance, his big arms as well as broad shoulders glistening with a layer of sweat while his muscle shirt stuck to his back in his unwavering resolve to take down Tony. Except for the suit he wore in court, it was the same exact look. He fought to win and that had always been a big turn-on for her. And soon she would get to experience him as a lawyer again and the thought thrilled her, like it was the final piece of the puzzle falling into place.

Not long after, Harvey and Tony stepped down from the ring and the moment Harvey's eyes landed on her, the fighter in him disappeared and a soft smile decorated his lips.

Slightly out of breath, they joined Donna and Adrian.

"Hey. I thought we were meeting at the restaurant," Harvey said, planting a sticky kiss on her lips, letting his stubble scratch her chin on purpose.

"I wanted to see this place for myself. And then I met Adrian," she explained, getting lost in his smile and how ravishing he looked in that moment.

"This is Tony." Harvey introduced her. "Tony, meet Donna."

"Nice to finally meet you," Tony said.

"You guys gonna be around for New Year's?" Adrian asked. "We have a small get together here on the first. Barbecue, some music, nothing fancy."

"No, sorry, man. We're going back east to visit my brother," Harvey stated.

"But you are coming back, right?" Tony questioned, and Harvey swore he detected a slight worry in the fighter's voice.

"Yeah, we are," Harvey confirmed. "I got a job in LA."

"Glad you're sticking around. I need the competition," Tony proclaimed with a hint of relief in his eyes.

"That's great!" Adrian exclaimed. "If you need any help with the move, let us know."

"Thanks guys. We will." He turned to Donna. "We should get going. Let me grab a quick shower and we can get out of here.

"Yes. It was nice to meet you, Adrian. And Tony." She turned back to Adrian. "And thanks," she said, giving him a knowing look.

"Anytime, Donna. Don't be a stranger."

"I won't."

.

Thirty minutes later, they walked into a steakhouse on Ocean Avenue, where they found Mary in one of the booths next to the window. It was a crisp, clear day, allowing the view of the ocean to stretch for miles. From inside, one could almost forget winter had officially started.

"You made it," she cheered, the familiar rustling of her bracelets filling the air as she got up to greet the couple. "I want to hear all about Seattle. Sounds like you guys had quite the trip!"

Before they even sat down, Donna and Mary lost themselves in stories of how they had spent Christmas, the ultimate highlight being Bobbi's birth and Mike offering Harvey a job.

Harvey observed the older woman and realized that it wasn't just her perfume that reminded him of his mom, even some of her mannerisms were the same, enough to bring back random memories he let pass through his mind as he happily took a backseat to the conversation.

If only his mom were still here to see him now. She'd be so proud.

"You're awfully quiet over there, Harvey. Everything okay?"

Mary was looking at him with tender eyes that seemed to look straight through him.

A little startled, he stammered, "Yeah. Fine. I just… eh…" He fidgeted with the napkin in his lap, not sure what he had to add to the conversation, glad that Donna was the one to explain what he apparently couldn't.

"You remind him of his mom, who passed away before Thanksgiving." Donna had to agree, there were elements to her friend she remembered about Lily, too. She could only imagine how it made Harvey feel and it made her wonder why she hadn't noticed them before. Or maybe she had, on some subconscious level, and that's what had drawn her to the colorful friend and mentor she couldn't fathom not having in her life, in the first place.

"I do? I'm sorry for your loss, Harvey," she said while mindlessly reaching out to give his arm a squeeze.

"Thanks."

"Do you have a picture of her? I'd love to see for myself."

Harvey scrolled through the photos on his phone and pulled up one of his mom before she got sick. It was a picture of him, Lily, Marcus and Haley in Marcus' kitchen, taken at Haley's birthday back in August.

"That's your mom? She looks familiar," Mary said, studying the photo, trying hard to recall where she would have seen the woman, but coming up empty.

"I don't think you know her. Far as I know, she's only been to California once in her life."

"I believe you, but I never forget a face," Mary said absentmindedly, irked she couldn't remember, so she let it go. "She looks like a wise lady." With a playful wink, she handed Harvey his phone back. "So, tell me about your mom. If you feel like it, of course," she added, noticing the slight drop of his mouth at her suggestion.

Harvey stared at the image himself and let his gaze linger there for a moment.

Under the table, he felt Donna's hand reach for his as he started telling about his history with the person who gave him life. There was something disarming about Donna's friend, the air of sincerity about her that eased him into addressing his sometimes painful past with fortitude. Unlike any other time before, he gathered that sticking to the superficial events would not suffice. So, he delved into everything.

With mild surprise, Donna listened to Harvey open himself up in a way he hadn't done before, not even with her. Mary worked her magic on him as the conversation progressed and she noticed how talking about Lily seemed to lift a veil from his fraught existence, as if admitting the truth about his embattled relationship with his mom made the pain of losing her sting a little less. It created room for more happy memories to fill the void and he certainly had accumulated plenty of those over the years.

Now and then, Harvey would give Donna's hand a squeeze, just to know she was still there. And even though there were no tears this time, only honest recollections, he still felt very much weathered by the experience once he finished baring his soul.

"Excuse me. I'm just gonna…" Harvey stuttered, pointing away from the table.

"That's okay, Harvey." As she watched him get up, she caught Donna releasing his hand. It brought a smile to her face knowing she'd been holding on to him this whole time. "So, what did she die of?" Mary asked the moment Harvey was out of earshot. If she had posed the question to Harvey, those tears he had so valiantly kept at bay would have surely flown.

"Cancer. It spread rapidly. They had less than two months after she was diagnosed."

"Poor thing. And his dad?"

"Passed away years ago. Heart attack." Harvey was an orphan now and Donna couldn't shake the feeling that she might be next in line for that title.

"That reminds me. Do you remember Charlotte?"

"Charlotte who?"

"Charlotte Bowen. She used to volunteer at the Bellevue, doing make-up and costumes with me. I think she left around the time you came in."

"Yes, of course. She was in my yoga class. I was looking for a company to join and she suggested the Bellevue. She stopped coming to class shortly after. I haven't seen her since."

"Well, I heard she was diagnosed with breast cancer right before Christmas. So sad. She's only forty-two has two small kids. Doctors say there's a fifty-fifty chance she'll make it."

"That's horrible."

"It sure is."

The news hung between them for a moment, both women lost in their own thoughts and memories of the dreadful disease and life's palette of miseries.

Wondering if Harvey was okay, Donna glanced in the direction of the restrooms. She was immensely proud of him. He sure had come a long way from not even wanting to go to his dad's funeral to telling all about his rugged history with his mom to a relative stranger. It was still fresh and he still mourned her, but he would start healing soon and she'd be there for him every step of the way.

Mary scanned her friend's face and the concern fueled by love that shaped her features. There was a subtle difference in her eyes, telling her that the endearing redhead's life had unquestionably changed for the better. "You two definitely belong together. There's no doubt in my mind."

"Yeah, we do," she said with not much joy in her voice. Donna dropped her gaze to her drink at the reminder. "It's like a part of me was missing this entire time and I didn't even know it. I can't explain it, but I feel whole again."

"I couldn't be happier for you." With a gentle tap on her hand, she tried to get her attention, yet Donna remained withdrawn.

She paused for a moment. "We're going back east for New Year's. Boston, Connecticut. New York."

"That's lovely!" Mary exclaimed, however, her friend didn't seem as excited and she studied her for a moment. "You don't think you're ready?"

"I don't know. There's a reason I haven't gone back to New York in two years. The last time I was there, I was leaving him. There are so many memories, bad ones…" She fingered the rim of her glass. Although, she tried hard not to dwell on the past, it was challenging to reject the memories when two days from now, she'd be walking through them again. Literally.

"Does he know how you feel?"

"I haven't told him yet."

"You gotta let him in, Donna. Trust him with this, because hiding your feelings from him will only make it harder for you. And as far as I can tell, he'll be able to handle it. He really seems like a great guy."

"He is." And he deserved more than what she was giving him right now, which only added to her fears.

"He is what?" Harvey asked, joining the table again.

"I was just saying what a catch you are," Mary cheered, looking over at Donna who had a smile plastered on her face again like the past two minutes had not happened. She was too great an actress for her own good sometimes.

As soon as she could, Donna's hand drifted to his knee as she studied his face. Not wanting to be overbearing and ask how he was doing in front of Mary, she just looked at him until their eyes met. With an almost imperceptible nod, his lips curved upwards and the tension eased out of her, knowing he was alright.

On Sunday night, Harvey and Donna were lying in bed. They had barely unpacked from their trip to Seattle but once again their suitcases were packed. This time for an entire week.

Tomorrow morning, they would fly to Boston, spend two nights there, drive to Connecticut and spend one night there, before driving to New York City and spending three whole nights there. They would fly back home out of JFK next Sunday.

Harvey was planning on giving his notice and with him being on sabbatical leave, he figured he wouldn't have to hand over his cases, since they were already being taken care of by his partners. However, McCarthy could be fickle sometimes, therefore he felt the need to spend at least a few days there to wrap things up. If nothing else, he at least owed his clients a call informing them of his departure from the firm.

Donna's head rested on his chest, playing with his fingers in silence. Harvey had assumed they would stay at his place while in New York, the place she had once called home and ever since he had mentioned it, there had been a tightness in her chest, a sense of impending doom following her everywhere she went.

Oblivious to her warring emotions, Harvey had not contained his excitement about the trip, especially the New York City part. His failure to anticipate her apprehension regarding the idea only made it harder to bring up.

Trust him with this.

Mary's words echoed ferociously in her mind. Although she knew that her friend was right, knowing something and doing something were two completely different things.

"Hey, maybe we can even swing by Del Posto. For old times' sake." Harvey had been unstoppable at mentioning places to visit, but the more he spoke, the more she withdrew. Until hearing him mention a place that held such importance in their history, compelled her to speak up.

"You know, I haven't been back since I came out here."

The wariness in her tone alarmed Harvey, easily picking up on the unease seeping through the words. He couldn't see her eyes, but he desperately needed to.

"Are you saying that the last time you were in New York-"

"Was when I left you." She sat up, choked up on her past and fighting the urge to cry. Folding her hands in her lap, she hung her head. "I mean, I'm looking forward to Boston. I'm just not looking forward to the rest."

"Why didn't you say something?" Harvey sat up with her and brushed her hair behind her ear, hoping to catch a glimpse of her face.

"I don't know. I guess I was embarrassed and you were so excited. I didn't want to put a damper on it."

His heart dropped, thinking how she had been struggling while he had been oblivious to her turmoil. How had he missed this? "We don't have to go to Hartford, if you don't want to."

"I don't want to, but I have to. It's my mom, Harvey. Lord knows how long she'll be with us. I'll regret it if I don't go, but I can't say I'm thrilled about visiting." She finally dared to meet his eyes, letting him see the pain behind them.

"And New York?" He almost whispered the question, afraid her answer might tear him apart. She used to love the city. He still did. Leaving wasn't exactly an easy feat for him either, and still he was willing to give it up for her. In his heart he had already left. Unfortunately, her eyes told him that the hurt still lingered with her.

"There are just so many memories there and not all of them are good." She shook her head, struggling to not be so goddamn nervous about this. "I mean, it's silly. I shouldn't make such a big deal about it. I'm sure it will be fine." She faked a smile, hoping Harvey would buy it as her resolve wavered. Why was it still so hard to allow herself to need him?

"Donna. You know I'm right there with you, right?" At some point, he had taken her hands in his, holding them closely. "We're together now. That should count for something?"

"It does. I'm just afraid that…" she trailed off, not sure exactly what she feared most.

"Listen. We've been through hell and back. Maybe we can see this trip as a way of closing the book on everything we used to be."

When her eyes met his, a wave of uncoated comfort washed over her. Perhaps this was precisely what their upcoming journey was all about. Instead of reliving the past, it was time to say goodbye to it. For good. Something she had been trying to do for two years but had failed at. Accepting her past was the only way to move forward if she ever wanted a chance at a future with Harvey.

Still not completely convinced, she would trust that at least Harvey would be by her side. "Maybe."

Donna's reluctance had caused Harvey to be extra observant of her behavior as they had flown to Boston. He knew better than anyone how well versed she was at putting up a brave front, especially when it came to him. Rachel's Wonder Woman comment couldn't have been more true, so he had looked for signs she was uncomfortable but by the time they were pulling up into Marcus' driveway, Donna seemed genuinely excited to be here. So, he let it go for now, slipping his hand in hers as they rang the bell a minute later.

"Hey, you guys! It's so good to see you again." Marcus met them at the door, a big smile plastered on his face. He wasn't just happy for his brother, he was happy for the entire Specter clan to have Donna back in its midst. It hadn't been the same without her and neither had his brother.

"Hey, angel! I'm so happy you guys are here."

Marcus greeted Donna with a bearhug she had come to expect from her brother-in-law and she let herself drown in his embrace. It may have been years since she last visited this place, but Boston was definitely home, too. "So are we, Marcus."

Donna stepped inside the vestibule and peeked around Marcus. She had been looking forward to seeing Haley and hoped the girl was home. "Where are the kids?"

"The kids will be staying with Katie this week, so they're packing their things, because Katie will be by to pick them up soon. I had them last week. But right now, they're still ups-"

Heavy footfalls thundered down the stairs as Haley came flying down. "Auntie Donna! You're here!" she shrieked. The girl ignored everyone else and went straight for her favorite aunt, hugging her tightly.

"It's so good to see you, Haley." Donna wrapped her arms around the bundle of jubilation, a little overcome by Haley's uninhabited show of affection. For once, being surrounded by people from her past was a reminder of everything she had gained instead of lost and it filled her heart with a luminous love.

Harvey watched the pair embrace, noting how right it looked to have Donna, his Donna, back in Boston with his family. She belonged there as much as he did.

"Hi, Uncle Harvey."

"Hey, sweetie." Harvey hugged his niece, loving her infectious enthusiasm as she pulled Donna inside, leaving the two men by themselves.

"Hey big brother." Marcus wrapped his arms around Harvey and held on a little longer, having missed him over Christmas. When they broke apart, he gave Harvey a once-over. If he didn't know any better, he'd say Harvey was glowing. "Man, California agrees with you. You look great!" He patted his arm. "Come on, let's get inside. You want a beer?"

Harvey followed Marcus into the kitchen and leaned back against the counter. "So, how've you been, Marcus?" From the moment he had laid eyes on his brother, he knew there was something troubling him. He had always been able to tell, even when they were young.

"I've been okay. Natalie is a champion, but Christmas was… hard. Really hard." The words stuck in his throat, recollecting how the first Christmas without Lily had been difficult, to say the least.

"Yeah, tell me about it." Had he been selfish in choosing Seattle over Boston this year? Even if he hadn't, guilt suddenly gnawed at the corners of his decision. "I should have been here."

"No. No way. You deserve to be happy, Harvey. Especially after everything you've been through these past few years. Just answer me this. Are you happy?"

"I am, Marcus. Donna and I were always supposed to be together. Being with her now is just…" There were no words to describe how he felt. Now all he needed was the courage and the right moment to tell his brother he was leaving to be with her for good.

Their conversation got interrupted when Donna, Haley and Natalie walked into the kitchen.

"Dad, can I please stay here tonight," Haley pleaded. "Please?"

"That's fine by me, but you'll have to ask your mother. And tell your brother to come down and greet our company."

Haley tore out of the kitchen.

"That girl sure is crazy about you," Marcus said to Donna. "We all are." He raised his bottle. "Welcome back, Donna."

"Thanks, Marcus. I'm happy to be here." she replied, as her cheeks flushed ever so slightly and she felt Harvey move closer until he was right beside her and his lips pressed against her temple.

.

A while later, everybody had gathered by the fireplace, drinks in hand and snacks on the table.

Unfortunately for Haley, Katie had picked her and her little brother up, already on her way over when Haley had called. Luckily, after some begging, Katie had conceded that Haley could spend New Year's Eve at her dad's house, resulting in a new fit of jumps and squeals from the teenager.

"We're actually here because we want to tell you something." Harvey glanced at Donna before continuing, keeping an eye on his little brother. The tension he had seen on Marcus' face hadn't subsided and he was worried this was not the right time for a bombshell to drop. But if not now, then when? "I was offered a job in LA and I've said yes." He paused, trying not to sound too elated. "I'm giving my notice this week so I can start as soon as possible."

"Harvey! I'm so happy for you." Marcus finished the remainder of his beer in one gulp.

"Thanks, Marcus." He eyed his brother skeptically.

"Excuse me, I'm getting us some more drinks. Would you like another drink?" he asked Donna.

The 'no' she replied must have gone unheard, because he still got up and headed for the kitchen.

"I'll be right back," Harvey said, following Marcus out of the room.

Coming up behind Marcus who was peering into the fridge for a lot longer than needed to get another bottle of beer, Harvey asked with a hint of concern in his voice, "Hey. You okay?"

Heaving a sigh, Marcus closed the door, taking a moment before facing his brother with tear-filled eyes. "She just died and now you're leaving, too?" It wasn't an accusation as much as disappointment snaking itself around his heart at the thought his big brother was moving across the country.

"I know. That's why I wanted to tell you in person." Seeing his brother heartbroken, was almost too much to bear, so he clung to the only truth he knew, feeling his own emotions rise rapidly. "I love her, Marcus."

"I know you do and I really am happy for you, Harvey. I am. But I sure am gonna miss you," he croaked as his lip trembled.

"I'll miss you, too, dickhead." He gave Marcus a rueful smile. "Come here."

As he wrapped his little brother in his arms, Harvey didn't hide his own tears. They had been through so much and now a new phase in his life had presented itself. He'd made the right decision, but that didn't mean it hurt any less leaving the people he loved behind.

A/N: Please let me hear your thoughts. I think I have two more chapters to go...