Hi Folks! I hope this update find you all safe and healthy. Please stay that way! I finally had time to write this update which seems a little longer than normal. I hope you enjoy it. Thank you to my new followers. Let me know what you think. Please R&R - Love Carebearmaxi
Little One
Chapter 19
Time was moving on. It was now April. Harvey and Donna were settling in their new roles in Seattle. After her initial two weeks in bed resting after her accident, her pregnancy proceeded smoothly. As for Charlotte, they had not heard anything from her since that drastic dinner party back in late February where she grabbed Troy by the hand and stomped off.
Easter was coming, and although neither she nor Harvey were religious Donna still wanted to reflect the season. She transformed their apartment from a cozy wintry retreat to an airy spring getaway. The patio furniture had been delivered and arranged with a lovely adobe woodburning stove placed off to sidewall to allow Harvey and Donna sitting on their terrace couch snuggling together under a blanket on cooler spring evenings admiring their waterfront view. They spent many evening with Rachel and Mike both husbands stroking their respective wives' baby bumps.
A month ahead of Donna, Rachel was finally succumbing to being uncomfortable. She still went to work every day and planned to until her due date in May. On Good Friday, the quartet sat around laughing, drinking, munching, and making plans about the future.
"So, Simon comes in and orders Harvey off the case," Mike said taking a sip of his beer and a pretzel from the bowl.
"Well, I know how that went," Donna said looking at her husband who gave her a pinched look with his pursed lips.
"I know you know how it went," Harvey said rocking back and forth sucking on his beer looking at the smart look his wife was giving him. His wife reached out put her arm through his bent elbow sitting on his knee.
"He didn't do anything and kept it all inside until he got home," Donna said.
"So, my wonderful wife must have sensed something because she met me at the door in nothing but her silk robe and a glass of scotch," Harvey said as he kissed her and gave her belly a stroke.
"So, of course, I had to wait until he was good and ready to talk about it of which he did for about an hour," Donna said. "We finally ate dinner and then he fell asleep watching Survivor."
Rachel smiled and then made a noise.
"You ok?" Mike asked. He seemed to be on edge the longer that Rachel was pregnant.
"I'm fine, silly, but I think we ought to go home. I'm tired and I have a deposition in the morning," Rachel said.
"Ok, I have to talk to Harvey for a minute," Mike said and politely rose leaving the two expectant best buddies alone.
"Donna," Rachel said sitting up and trying to reach for the last dregs of her cranberry juice.
"What is it, Rachel? You kept giving the guys the heave-ho since we mentioned Harvey not freaking out on Simon," Donna said as she helped Rachel by handing the drink to her. Donna was not having it much easier although a month behind but carrying two babies.
"How far have you come with your Designer Duds Company?"
"Well, I haven't quite got all the legalese in order, but that's because my husband has been a little too busy with all the large pharmaceuticals he's suing," Donna laughed. She sat back and rubbed her belly because she felt one of the babies give her a real kick in the belly.
"Why do you ask?"
Rachel hesitated and looked at her glass of juice before answering.
"Have you ever reconsidered to come be the COO at the firm after you've been on maternity leave for a while?" Rachel asked giving Donna a very earnest look.
Donna took a sip of her ginger ale, licked her lips, and said, "Spill. Why are you asking me? Did something happen at the firm that Harvey isn't telling me?"
"Well, I think he really misses you being there. The other day he had a blow up with Tracy. She's a tough cookie and she gave it right back. Harvey, of course, later apologized, but, Donna, he really needs you."
"Don't be silly. Harvey is Harvey. You know how he is," Donna said looking downwards at her ginger ale.
"That's just it. He's the old Harvey at work way before you even thought of being together. The only difference now is that he can't come to you in the middle of the day or you can't intuit everything like you could when you were there."
"So, you're telling me that my husband can't do his job without me being there to be his crutch?"
"Not his crutch, Donna. His best friend, his assistant…his wife. Let's face it. You were always like that to him before you were married," Rachel said reasonably.
"Rachel, honey, I don't want to come back to the law firm. Harvey is so supportive of me having my own business. One that will really work this time. I know he needs me, of course, he needs me. He knows he can tell me anything at any time. What makes you think he hasn't done that on occasion?"
"Lately, I think he's worried about you here alone."
"I'm not exactly alone here," Donna said patting her pregnant belly. "These two either get me so worn out that all I can do is lie down or they give me so much indigestion I can't relax unless I have chocolate milk."
"Chocolate milk…I'll have to try that. I've been drinking plain," Rachel said smiling.
As Mike walked back to the terrace carrying a voluminous file, he looked at the girls and he quietly asked his wife, "Did you ask her?"
"Oh, so both of you are in on this. It must really be serious then," Donna remarked looking at them both.
"What must really be serious?" Harvey said as he joined the other three.
"We'll talk about it later," Donna said trying to rise.
"Well, we will see you out," Donna said putting her arm around Rachel.
"Let me talk to Harvey. I will let you know," she whispered as Rachel hugged her as they came to the door.
"See you Monday, Harvey," Mike said giving Harvey a hug. He then kissed Donna on the cheek and mouthed silently to her "think about it."
Donna responded by nodding.
Nothing was said the rest of the night as Donna and Harvey were too tired to talk. They lay in bed and Donna did her best to get comfortable by laying on her right side. So, she faced Harvey. She watched him sleep. She loved looking at him like this. He lay on his left side facing her, but his eyes were closed. His left hand was tucked under his pillow while his right lay on the mattress between them. Donna knew that even in his sleep he reached for her. Donna would reach out for him.
The other night when they had finally clicked off the lights Donna lay on her back slightly turned toward Harvey. He had gone to sleep almost when his head hit the pillow. His hand lay between them, then, like now. She reached out and placed it on her belly where the children seemed to be having a wrestling match there was so much happening. The minute she lay his hand on her belly the babies calmed. Donna smiled so much her cheeks started to hurt.
On this night, though, she scooted closer to him and stroked his hair. She whispered softly, "Talk to me, Harvey. I'm always here."
She knew he had not heard her so deeply and quickly he had fallen asleep. She hoped he had heard her through his dreams, though. Then she knew he would remember.
A few days later, Donna decided to meet Harvey for a picnic lunch at the office. She was dressed in her best maternity business dress and wore reasonable heels because the stilettos were getting just a little too hard for her to wear. She carried one of her oversized leather bags wherein she had packed the gourmet picnic lunch she had picked up at what was fast becoming one of their favorite bistros.
"Hi Donna!" Tracy greeted as she rose from her desk which was piled high with case files and cluttered with tchotchkes, family pictures, and a large bouquet of yellow daffodils in a large round blue glass vase. Donna stopped momentarily to speak with Tracy. As she did she noticed the card was from Harvey apologizing for being a dick to her.
"I see you got the apology flowers," Donna mentioned as she stood speaking with the frazzled secretary/paralegal.
"Yes, and they are lovely. You didn't really have to do that, though. I know Harvey was having a bad day and was taking it out on me. I've been around," Tracy said.
"How do you know I sent them, and it wasn't his idea?" Donna asked.
"Well, I know it was you because I didn't get these for at least a week, so I know he didn't tell you about the incident and you must have heard by other means."
Donna smiled. "Well, it seems you and I think a lot like. You're right. I chose them and told Harvey to sign the card. However, he did tell me he was very apologetic when they were delivered."
"Yes, he was. He's a good man, Donna."
"The best," Donna said with a huge smile on her face and turned her wedding ring around her finger.
"Speaking of the best, he should be free in about five seconds," Tracy said as she looked at her watch.
"And there he is," Donna said. "Punctual as always."
Harvey walked across to Tracy's desk after taking leave of his new client.
"You need an engagement letter sent pronto," Donna interceded Tracy before she could speak.
"Yes, how did you know?" Harvey asked kissing his wife hello.
"Because you shook the man's hand and you were wearing your "you are going to be so grateful you came to Harvey Specter" look on your face. Am I right?" Donna asked looking back at Tracy standing behind her.
Harvey was ready to deny her superpowers of observation, but he smirked instead looking like he was chewing his lip and said, "Yes, you got me. You still got it and you don't even work here."
"Ah, she knows you better than you know yourself," Tracy said with a wink as she watched Harvey take the heavy valise from his wife and then place an arm around her proceeding into his office.
Donna came in and looked around Harvey's office. Unlike New York she was not as familiar with the characteristics of this room. In Harvey's New York office, there had been a spot in his carpet in the corner near his record shelf that continuously was wet as the window leaked into it when the rain blew in from that direction. No matter how many times she had had the window sealed, she had always noticed a draft and a wet spot when she went to that side of the room. One other intrinsic characteristic was located behind the original shelf that held all of Harvey's albums. Sometime between Jessica moving out and Harvey moving in, one of the contractors must have put his hand through the wall, then spackled it and repainted it. Donna always knew which four albums covered the spot. One way she always knew where to put the albums back after she was done playing them.
"What's going on?" Harvey asked as he placed the large heavy bag on the black soft leather couch.
"Why does something have to be going on for me to bring my husband a picnic lunch at the office? It's such a beautiful day. I thought we could take advantage of the terrace outside downstairs," Donna said taking a seat on the couch. She patted the place next to her.
Harvey closed the door to his office and with a smile on his face sat down next to his pleasantly plump pregnant wife.
"Donna, as much as I want to have our picnic lunch, you know I have a client in about 15 minutes," Harvey said as he looked at his watch.
"No, you don't. Tracy didn't tell you because I wanted to tell you that the client postponed until tomorrow at the same time," Donna said placing her hand on his thigh.
"Donna," Harvey said giving her a look that was not unkind but careful. "You can't play with my clients like you did when you were my assistant. That's not how it's done."
"When have I ever played with your clients?" Donna asked feigning to be appalled at the accusation.
"I know you can still do your Donna-shit with me and I love it when we're home but you don't work with me anymore," Harvey said with a warning in his voice.
"Relax, Harvey, I called Tracy first to see if you were free. She said that your client postponed until tomorrow. I asked her if I could tell you since I knew you would be ambitious to see that particular client."
"Did Tracy happen to tell you why he postponed his appointment?" Harvey wondered. Lately he had been having doubts about his abilities. He was feeling kind of lost; yet, Mike and Andrew were all over him congratulating him and telling him what a great asset to the firm he was. Harvey, of course, let his ego do the talking.
"She told me it was some family thing, so I decided that the only way you tell me what is really bothering you is if I surprised you," Donna said.
"Donna, you're not here. You don't know the people I deal with…"
"No, I don't. However, that cannot be all that different than clients you had in New York except they are poorer but still need a fantastic lawyer on their side," Donna said.
"Donna…" Harvey said pinching the bridge of his nose between forefinger and thumb.
"Look, Harvey, I know how disappointed you were when I didn't take the COO position Andy offered me," Donna ventured.
Harvey held his forehead in his hand and turned to look next to her. "What are you saying, Donna?"
"I'm saying that maybe I have reconsidered the position."
"Do you mean that if Andy still has the offer on the table you would take it this time?"
Harvey sat up straight now. "No, Donna, you have your business getting off the ground. I thought you had a site picked out for it and that was why you came in here today."
"There is Harvey, but listen to me," Donna said quietly looking at him and feeling her heart pound in her chest. She only wanted him to be happy and now it seems moving from New York was less than what he expected. He loves working with Mike, but they had not had a case together yet. It seems Harvey was brought here to play Harvey to Simon's "old" Louis.
Harvey patted her thigh and try to hide behind a wall he had not erected for two years. Though, he could never really hide anything from Donna. She was his wife and the last thing he wanted to do was play on her feelings. He was a big boy. Sure, he missed his wife; but she deserved to have something of her own. They had each other now after a long day at work. There was no need for her to be that capacity at work. He knew she was his at home.
"Harvey, there's no need to pretend you need me. I know you do. I do have a place picked out for my business, but more importantly," she said sliding into his arms has he now sat back on the couch. She played with his tie and then let her hand rest on his chest.
He held Donna and slowly stroked her back. His chin rested on the top of her head as he was compelled to listen to her argument.
"You are my business, Harvey. I know you support me in my new business, but if you really need me here, I will gladly step into Andy's office and let him know I have changed my mind."
"Did Rachel or Mike say something to you regarding my office demeanor?" Harvey half laughingly stated.
"Well, the truth is, yes, Rachel had mentioned to me that you have been rather surly around here which was not like your behavior when we first arrived."
"I figured. Rachel witnessed me bawl out Tracy and then I had another incident with Simon. She decided it was her place to tell me to handle Simon like I would have handled the old Louis. I had to explain to her that Simon was worse than Louis because he wasn't smart and was such an obvious womanizer when it came to women that I felt sorry for Jill."
"You were a notorious womanizer if I remember Harvey," Donna reminded him. She knew why and she knew how painful it was for him. However, she had to have him understand that sometimes people were going to rub him the wrong way and vice versa.
"Yeah, but I wasn't married with children. Besides, that was different. You know all the reasons why my love life had manifested itself the way it did. I only really ever wanted one woman," Harvey said kissing her forehead.
"I know, now, Harvey. You kept it hidden away for so long, though," Donna said.
They sat in silence for a few moments. Donna sitting with her head on Harvey's shoulder as he stroked her upper arm as she sat within the circle of his arms.
Donna's arm had goosebumps at Harvey's stroking. She turned her head slightly to see if she could catch Harvey's expression.
"So, you think Simon has an underlying problem and that's why he is the way he is?"
"Harvey, I don't give a shit about Simon. He's a jerk, and his wife is a sap for putting up with it for so long. All I care about is how Simon rattles my husband and gets him to act like the old Harvey," Donna said kissing him.
"One part of the issue is that Simon is jealous because he thinks I am going to be a name partner here," Harvey said.
"I can understand why he would be jealous. You are one hell of a lawyer, you're better looking than he is, and you treat your wife with respect unlike he does."
He turned his head to look her in her eyes. He brought his hand to her cheek and let it rest there. What would I do without her? She's carrying my children. I can't ask her to sacrifice anything else because I want her to work here.
"Donna, I would love for you to work here with me, but I can't ask you to do that if you don't really have it in your heart. I do know of at least three things that are close to your heart."
Looking up at him with her head still on his shoulder and safe and secure within the circle of his arms asked, "Name them."
Harvey squinted his eyes, looked away into the air and pretended that he needed to think really hard like a little boy.
"Our second wedding, our babies, your new business venture," Harvey finished triumphantly.
"You forget something," Donna prompted.
Harvey looked like he was caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
"You!" Donna exclaimed. She rose up a little removing her head from his shoulder and taking her hand and placing it firmly on his head stroked back behind his ear. He shivered. She had known how Harvey liked to be touched and what he didn't like. He loved it when she touched him like that. He moved forward and kissed her deeply. If it weren't for the beep on his text they could have gone for it right on his office couch.
"Go to lunch with your wife, Harvey."
"Well, now I know she keeps her intercom on just like you, Gretchen, and Gloria. It's from Tracy commanding me to go to lunch with you," Harvey smiled.
Donna took the hand holding the cell phone and lowered it in hers and held his hand between hers.
"Sounds like the woman is just doing her job," Donna then took his face in her hands and kissed him.
"Let's take that picnic lunch to the terrace, Mrs. Specter," Harvey said rising taking her hand and gently pulling her behind him and grabbing the bag with the other walking out the door of his office.
"Right behind you, Mr. Specter," Donna said laughing.
They sat at one of the more intimate tables under an umbrella. The metal wire fame chairs had no padding, so Donna whipped out one of the cushions from the smaller home terrace on which she could sit, so her behind would not lose circulation.
"I was wondering why this bag was so large. It obvious was not the salad and sandwiches you picked up from the place," Harvey said watching her the whole time so captivated that all he could do was hold his sandwich in his hands.
"It's better than complaining the whole time that my ass and my back hurts," Donna responded as she watched Harvey bite into his sandwich and close his eyes from not being disappointed with the taste.
"I think that is the best pastrami sandwich I ever had. It is close to a New York's deli as I have had here yet."
Donna smiled. She was glad to see him eat. He had been finicky the past few days and no matter what they were having, even if he cooked it himself, he did not seem satisfied.
The sun was shining, and the air smelled fresh. It was such a beautiful April day and really warm. Normally, it was chilly and rained almost as much in New York as it did here; so, this day was particularly appreciated.
After wiping his hands with the cloth napkin that Donna provided from their own dining room, Harvey reached out and took Donna's hand in his. Donna who had been picking at her salad responded by rubbing her thumb over his knuckles. They sat in complete silence just looking at one another. It was one of those precious moments between them where nothing need be said. They were just at peace with one another and happy in each other's company.
Eventually, Harvey smilingly broke the silence.
"Did you want to go see that location for your business? Was the realtor there or were we just looking?"
Donna smiled and laughed a little amused by Harvey's fervent support for her own business. Despite his real desire for her to return to working with him, he sacrificed it for her.
"No, she's not there right now. I did call her to tell her I was interested, but she said just feel free to go over there, kick in the tires, and see how she drives," Donna said using the car buying metaphor knowing her husband would appreciate it.
"Ok," Harvey said between bites of his sandwich which he had consumed ravenously.
"You have a client in an hour," Donna said. "We should be back in plenty of time for you to cast your Harvey Specter spell over another waiting customer."
"I'm not the clairvoyant here," Harvey said amused. "You're the one that your powers caused someone to think that you were worth poisoning."
"I'm not apologizing for who I am," Donna responded with her eyebrows raised.
Harvey just smiled, shook his head at his luck of her being his wife, and then he helped her rise from the chair. Like a good husband, he put away her cushion and cleared away the refuse from their picnic. After the garbage was in the trash, he lifted the bag which was now much lighter took his wife's hand in his other hand, and they walked hand in hand to the parking lot where Donna had parked her car.
The building was located on one of the main thoroughfares on 1st Avenue in Seattle where merchants ranged from little markets to restaurants and anything in between. The empty store was wedged between an ice cream shop and a catering company. It was not a large store. It was more narrow than wide, but when Donna walked in and heard the old-fashioned bell ring as the door hit it she felt immediately that this was the place. Harvey watched her as she slowly strolled through the space. He watched her as she closed her eyes and took a deep breath of the somewhat musty air. Needless to say, at least to him, she was in love with the space.
"You love it, don't you?" Harvey asked as he walked up beside her. He took her hand in his and pointed up the stairs.
"Let's see how big the office and the stock area is," Harvey said quietly not wanting to break her spell.
"Sure. I do love it. It's perfect!" She smiled as he led her up the stairs.
Once up there the color of the walls were a pale beige and the sills of the window were painted a dark glossy beige.
"This color has to go. If I am going to sell and design children's dress clothing, I want this place to be cheery colors not this drab shade. There's only room up her for two desks, but that's ok because I plan to eventually have a staff that consists of more than just two people. Then who knows maybe if I'm successful enough I could buy out one of the stores next to me and expand!"
"I hate to burst your bubble, but we need to stick to the first plan. I never thought I would have to be the rational one here," Harvey joked bumping his elbow gently against hers.
"I'm just thinking of the future, Harvey," Donna sang out of the side of her mouth. She looked down at the hardwood floor and stepped onto a raggedy, horrible, drab throw rug. She made a moue with her mouth and then taking Harvey's hand again as he offered it proceeded.
Behind a brown painted wooden door stood a rather wide room with a dormer on the right-hand side. It cut down on stock space, but realistically Donna thought it would be great to employ a designer here because natural light poured in through the window in the center of the room.
"Oh, Harvey! This is perfect! I love this place!" Donna took a turn about the room and breathed in the energy she was taking from this place.
Harvey could not help but smile. He was almost as excited as she. However, he knew she would not be able to do anything much for a while because she would have two babies to care for. He had already planned to take paternity leave in July when they were due, so he wanted to do everything for her dream to come true as there had been too many before not come to fruition. Some which he knew he was to blame. Donna would never say that because she loved him unconditionally and would never have even thought that way, but he knew down deep. He could never have been more loved by any other woman except his mother, of course.
Donna carefully trod over equipment that was left from the prior proprietor. This looks like some old copier and a teletype machine? Ugh! Will have to offload this stuff to an antique shop. She walked all the way around the space and then pulled out a notebook out of her bag. She began to make notes.
"What are you doing?" Harvey asked fascinated. He thought he would eventually learn her tricks in how she did what she did and how she knew what she uncannily could glean about him as he would stand in front of her, but to actually witness her methods since they had been married only made him feel like the most luckiest man in the world because Donna was always careful but she did like to take calculated risks. "The Donna" had been a calculated risk. When she asked him to be a partner and be COO of Specter Litt was a calculated risk, and so it seems was her new business venture.
"Ok, Donna, I think we'd better get going now. My client is due in about ten minutes, so I calculate I will be that late if we don't leave now," Harvey gently admonished though so enamored of his afternoon spent in a way he never could have imagined with her.
"I hear you, Harvey. I am…just finishing…this note," she said dotting an "i", and crossing a "t". She put her notebook back in her bag and then Harvey let her go down the stairs first as he assured she was safe from behind.
"Be careful," Harvey said again and laughed as she turned around and gave him a look of incredulousness.
Donna loved when Harvey wanted to handle her with kit gloves. She always pretended to fight it because it was just one of those old games they used to play when he pretended he didn't care, and she hadn't either.
They eventually walked out the door back into the spring air. They found Donna's car and with one more look she started the car and drove Harvey back to the office.
A few nights later as they lay in bed enclosed in each other's arms, Donna's phone beeped. They both looked up at each other and Donna knew at once who it was.
"Rachel!" She said and as best as she could she turned from Harvey to her side where her phone sat on the nightstand. She sat up, big belly and all, and put the phone to her ear.
"Rachel?" Donna asked intrepidly. She couldn't be in labor. The baby would have been two months early she thought but did not say aloud.
"It's Mike, Donna," Mike said with a tremor in his voice. "It's Rachel. She's in premature labor and they can't seem to stop the contractions. I'm here at the hospital but Rachel especially asked for her bestie and second labor coach to be here. So, I'm sorry…"
"No, of course, we'll be there shortly," Donna said simultaneously throwing the covers off. "No problem. Love you."
Harvey sat up by that time in bed and knew it was serious. When Donna turned to him, she had wiped a tear of concern away from her eyes.
"Rachel?" Harvey asked swiftly removing the covers from his side and getting out of bed. He pulled on his jeans that were lying over the desk chair and pulled on a sweater he pulled out of his drawer while Donna had rushed to the bathroom to pee, of course, that's all it seemed his poor wife did since he had gotten her in the family way. For just a minute, his suspicion that the children could be Thomas' passed through his mind and he quickly shook it from his brain because Donna was so empathic and connected with him that she would know from the look on his face that he was still oft times thinking of that sore subject.
"Harvey?" Donna asked. "What's wrong?"
He quickly shook himself out of his thoughts. I'm caught. Oh, this is not going to be a good trip.
"Nothing," Harvey hedged. "I was just concerned about Mike and Rachel. Are you ready?"
"Yes," Donna said giving her hair a quick brush and putting her red tresses in a ponytail which fanned out behind her with static from the carpet. Donna quickly glanced at her phone.
"It's 2 am," she said to Harvey who walked behind her down the hallway.
"Harvey, come on," Donna coaxed him as he had stopped to look at the now almost filled nursery. The only thing left were the changing tables which would be delivered in a few days.
Donna put out her hand, smiled, and watched as he smirked and took her hand. He let her lead him from the apartment.
