A/N: Short chapter for this one. Thank you for all the favorites and alert subscriptions! As well as the reviews.
Note: The timeline for this starts pre-Mike.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but some of the plot and my OC.
Chapter Two: "What did they name her?"
Donna Paulsen prided herself in being one of— if not the best secretary in the state of New York. She was competent and marvelous and everyone who's met and worked with her either knew it or would come to know it (Although the latter usually pertained to smug new associates of the firm who didn't know any better, which resulted in a verbal beatdown of such epic proportions that those moments have gone down in office history. A betting pool was even set up for the odds that Donna could reduce the ignorant associate in tears. Surprisingly it was the elderly secretary, Norma, who usually took home majority of the wins. That woman had to be a witch or a psychic.)
It was noteworthy amongst the inhabitants of the Pearson Hardman law firm that the Mighty Donna was incomparable; what with her near inhuman skills of organization, downright ruthless efficiency, terrifyingly quick wit, as well as her magical ability to be able to wrangle not only Harvey Specter but also Louis Litt (Two forces of nature in their own right.).
She was always ready for anything that was thrown her way. That day was just another example of her greatness.
Now, having a woman standing in their boss' office (sans the boss within it) would have caught any normal secretary off guard. But we had already established Donna was not just any old regular worker. Instead of being startled, a grin appeared upon her lips. After setting down a folder of photocopied files on her desk, she made her way into Harvey's office.
"So, you were the reason Ray was 'too sick' to fetch Harvey from the courthouse?"
The familiar brunette turned her eyes away from the view of Manhattan at noon and settled it upon her favorite red-head. "I'm not even surprised you managed to figure it out." With a small laugh she met Donna half-way in the middle of the office and accepted the hug her friend eagerly threw her way.
She grinned as the taller woman rocked them side to side and squeezed her gently before releasing her. She took a step back but kept her hands in Donna's firm grasp. "Then again, you're probably the only one who thought to check my itinerary and flight details."
"That's cause it's my job to protect and take care of Harvey's interests whether it be professional or personal. And you know you're at the top of that list Marley." Donna laughed at the eye roll she received before finally letting go of the woman's hands and leading them to sit down on the couch. "Now tell me about Switzerland! How's Izzy? The baby?"
She watched Marley's eyes light up at the mention of her little sister and her family and couldn't help but feel infected by her happiness.
"She's the most beautiful baby girl I've ever seen, bias be damned." Marley nearly squealed as she pulled up a photo on her phone of an infant swaddled in pale yellow blankets. "Izzy's water broke around two in the morning and she was in labor for nearly 12 hours. Ralf stayed with her in the room the whole time while I handled everything the hospital wanted signed."
Donna cooed at the photo of the baby and swiped right, feeling her heart warm at the sight of Marley cradling the little bundle of joy in her arms and looking upon it with so much love in her eyes. She took a quick glance at her friend and wondered to herself if she'll ever get a chance to become Auntie Donna. But seeing as how Marley didn't have any plans to commit, and settle down anytime soon with another man other than the one she had her heart so determinedly set on...
Shaking herself out of her reverie, she focused her attention back onto Marley and thankfully the other woman was distractedly cooing over a video of her niece to notice that Donna's thoughts had gone off track.
"What did they name her?"
The way Marley's expression shuttered for a moment then morphed into a sad and longing gaze made Donna want to regret even asking in the first place.
"Nessa." She heard her friend answer softly. "Ralf named her Nessa. Sent Iz and I into tears when he told us."
"Well," Donna sniffled, feeling her eyes water as she briefly flashed back to the time when two of the most important people in her life were at one of their lowest points. She wrapped an arm around Marley and leaned her head against hers in a show of comfort. They looked back down at the photo of the baby girl on the phone and the red-head felt her friend lean back against her, almost unconsciously seeking out the comfort she was offered. "If little Nessa's anything like her namesake, her parents are gonna have a hell of a time raising her."
With watery giggles, the two women continued regaling each other with stories of the events that happened in the 2 months that Marley was out of town.
A/N 2: I love Donna. She's a bad ass. Harvey will be entering next chapter and hopefully you'll be given some insight as to what Marley's relationship with him is.
My face claim for Marley is Phoebe Tonkin.