HI Folks! Thank you for sticking with this one! Thank you for your reviews and reaction to "Key to the Heart". I have some angst planned for this coming up along with some comedy culminating in a good climax eventually. Just a few more chapters, so I appreciate you sticking with me on this one. I know it turned into one of my epics unintentionally, but I wanted to make a good story. I hope you find this update to our liking, and I hope this finds all of you safe, healthy, and secure from these trying times. Love - Carebearmaxi.
Little One
Chapter 20
"Mike"! Donna shouted as she hurriedly waddled belly first down the corridor of birthing rooms.
"Donna, Harvey," Mike said as he quickly embraced Donna who rubbed his back fiercely when he hugged her and then he turned to Harvey.
"Hey buddy," Harvey said smiling widely while Donna stepped into Rachel's room.
"Harvey, I feel so helpless," Mike said. "Rachel is in so much pain and the baby's really not ready yet."
Harvey placed his hand on his shoulder. "What did the doctor say?"
"Dr. Strahan is being realistic. She said the baby will probably be really small, but she's delivered smaller and they have thrived," Mike said swiping his hand down his face. "Thank you for coming. I think Donna may be more of a help than I can be right now."
Harvey just half smiled. He took a seat outside the room. He really did not want to go in there, and he was sure that Donna would emerge once there was news.
"Mike, you go back in there and be with Rachel. When you can, send Donna out?"
"I understand why you don't want to be in there," Mike said.
Harvey shrugged. "Donna can be a help, not me. I just hope when Donna's time comes, I don't run from the room screaming."
Mike chuckled a little and patted Harvey on the shoulder.
"Thanks, again for bringing Donna. I'll send her out as soon as we can,"
"Thanks, Mike. Give Rachel my love," Harvey said.
"Of course," Mike said and went back into the room where he could hear both Donna speaking and Rachel breathing and moaning.
Harvey was left outside as he wanted to be. He was half dreading when it was Donna's turn to go into labor and he had no recourse but to be in there with her. At the same time, Harvey did want to be with Donna. He wanted to see what was going on and how he could support her when she needed him the most. The babies Donna carried were their children. Donna was bearing the burden of carrying and birthing. Being with her when she needed him was the least he could do. As he had said at their wedding, "with her his chips were always up".
Meanwhile, Rachel lay in bed trying to breathe through a terribly strong contraction. She squeezed Donna's hand to the point of breaking, but Donna said not a word although her wedding ring was cutting into her fingers. I'm going to be the one in this bed in a few months. Reminds me I'd better sign up for those birthing classes Donna thought.
Finally, Rachel released Donna's hand and blew out a cleansing breath. Through trying to catch her breath, she explained to Donna that her parents were stuck on the tarmac at Chicago en route to Seattle. No idea when she thought the plane would arrive.
"Who did you want to pick them up?" Donna asked.
Rachel finally caught her breath and was working up to the next contraction when she said, "Mike."
"Nonsense, Harvey will do it. I'm sure he's feeling rather useless in this situation. Don't ask. I'm sure neither you or Mike or Harvey wanted him to be in here during this situation. He knows he will be when I'm in here, but that's different," Donna explained while Rachel grabbed her hand again.
"I feel something!" Rachel exclaimed.
Donna took it upon herself to look down between Rachel's legs and saw the head with very dark hair crowning.
"Mike!" Donna said with a upswing to her voice. "I think I'm seeing the baby's head! Go get the doctor or a nurse! Hurry!" Donna said and watched as Mike ran out the door. Harvey grabbed the door before it closed and glimpsed Rachel straining and trying not to push while Donna coached her to breathe. Donna then noticed the door was open and gestured to Harvey to venture in.
"It'll be me next in here, Harvey. Get in here," Donna stated.
Harvey is the type of guy that exudes confidence and when he walks into the room all eyes are captivated. However, there was such a change in him now. At this moment, Harvey walked like he was told to jump into a pit of fire. He walked quick but measured steps over to his wife, near Rachel (trying hard not to look) and asked what he could do.
"Robert and Laura are on their way here. Their plane is stuck in Chicago, but that was a couple of hours ago. Can you check to see if they arrived here and go pick them up?"
"Anything," Harvey started to leave and asking behind him.
"Were they flying from New York?" He hurriedly asked while he heard Rachel groaning, breathing, and trying not to push until the doctor arrived. Donna attempted to soothe her while answering Harvey's question and getting him out the door.
"No, they were stuck in Chicago…ok, honey, doctor's coming…Don't push!"
Harvey nodded, put his phone to his ear, and ran from the room waving to Dr. Strahan and Mike running down the hall as he was hurrying out. He called from behind him when Mike asked him where he was going.
"Getting your in-laws!" Harvey hurriedly punched the elevator.
Dr. Strahan had the whole crew assembled in five minutes.
"Oh, thank God, I don't think she could hold off pushing much longer," Donna said relinquishing her side of the bed so Mike could be next to her and Donna could stay out of the way.
"Oh, by the way, how are you feeling, Donna?" Dr. Strahan asked nonchalantly. "Rita get that incubator. We are having a baby any minute now."
Rita, the nurse wore scrubs under her gown, scrubs and mask.
"Ok, I need you all to get these gowns on. This baby is a preemie and we want to make sure that we protect him from all germs as best we can.
Only Donna raised an eyebrow when the doctor said "he". She looked at Mike and he told her that they discovered they were having a boy only a day or two ago at Rachel's last appointment.
All inhabitants of the room put on their gowns and masks. Dr. Strahan and the nurses all put gloves on. Mike had to put his gloves on as well. He had decided to cut the cord. Now that the time was close he was hoping he wouldn't be shaking from head to toe.
Donna went to the opposite side of the bed from Mike. Rachel had been pushing for a little bit now, but the baby was so small that he seemed to become lazy.
"Hold her legs," Dr. Strahan said as she watched for the little face to appear.
Donna held one of her legs and a nurse the other one. Donna did not say anything as Rachel was too busy giving birth. Donna's mind was suddenly distracted and when she looked down the person in the bed was herself trying to expel two babies from her body with all the encouragement coming from all the inhabitants of the room.
"Ok, now we're making progress. He's almost here, Rachel. Daddy, get ready to cut soon," Dr. Strahan said. "Ok, here we go."
Rachel took a look at Donna and smiled and then looked at Mike who was paler than the sheets in the room. He still gave her a smile.
"Ok, this better be the last one," Rachel said and then as everyone counted ten and Dr. Strahan exclaimed "Happy Birthday"; all gave a sigh of relief when a little dark-haired cherub gave a mighty cry finally coming into the world. Mike happily came and cut the rubbery slippery cord and then followed Rita as they took their little guy over to the table to warm him and make sure his vitals were stable. Donna stayed with Rachel who was in the throes of expelling the afterbirth. Donna wiped a tear from her eye and then joked with Rachel how much she was not looking forward to giving birth to two of them.
Later that morning, around 10 a.m., Harvey and Donna lay in their bed talking quietly of their experiences of earlier in the morning. Harvey lay with Donna next to him and his hand pleasurably on her growing bump. Donna's hand rested on top.
"Ooh! Did you feel that one? It was kind of hard," Donna said moving Harvey's hand a little to the right.
"How come my daughters stop moving around the minute I feel them?"
"Because you have a soothing effect on them. Remember the other night when the hormones were really raging after our fight?"
"Yes, you threw all the bed pillows at me and I was afraid you were gunning for your laptop next!" Harvey said laughing loudly.
"Calm down, Harvey, you're still here," Donna said smiling and holding onto Harvey's hand more tightly.
"What I wanted to say is that every time they get a little ornery in my belly, your hand calms them. It's a whole new feeling to experience when you touch me, and I love it when you touch me," Donna said turning to meet her husband's eyes. She kissed him long and deeply probing his mouth with her tongue. He responded by taking her face in his hands and running his thumb against her cheek. His mouth sought hers. She opened hers and he opened his and their tongues danced.
"Mmm, that was nice," Harvey commented deeply and sleepily. He wanted her, but he was not sure how she felt about it. This was precipitated their last fight. She was beginning to get fatigued again similar to the beginning of her pregnancy. Dr. Strahan warned them at the end of Donna's appointment, two weeks ago, that the last trimester was fast approaching, and Donna's body would undergo the machinations of preparing to give birth. At seventh months was when twins could run into duress and many times twins were born prematurely. Donna was bound and determined for that not to happen, so Harvey and she had this petty fight for which they both apologized tenderly to each other later that night.
"I never thought that Mike's son would be so little," Harvey said as looked at the ceiling where the late morning sunlight poured in through their wide bedroom windows.
Donna laughed sleepily.
"James Robert is two months early. Really he wasn't much smaller than Lucy, and she was full term," Donna said.
Then silence took over while each dozed.
"Harvey, I'm scared," Donna suddenly said softly not like her voice at all. She put her arm around Harvey and held him tight. "That's a big confession for me. I'm scared."
"Donna," Harvey said softly turning his lips and kissing her head and let his head linger there. He pulled her closer to his chest.
He hated to see her scared.
"Of what? Giving birth? "
"Not exactly. I know it's going to hurt, and I can tell from Rachel how badly it's going to hurt. I'm scared the babies won't be healthy or that I did or will do something wrong."
"Shh…Donna. I can understand your fears as well. I'm scared, too," Harvey said. He need not say anything else. It brought to mind what he said when they were married: "Love is a scary thing. Not safe…"
However, when he finally decided to marry this woman he knew that she and their life together was all that mattered.
"I'm here for you. No matter what you're feeling or needing. I am here. I would do anything for you and our babies. I will never let anything happen to you. I told you that a long time ago and I meant it. I promise," Harvey said holding her tight.
Donna raised her head and as she was looking at him with a worried look to her face that Harvey had witnessed before she asked, "So you don't think I'm being silly? I have no reason to be scared?" She smirked at him with her upper lip raised.
"I'm saying. It's normal. You've never given birth before, and you know there will be pain. I admire you and all women. Your bodies are made to do this.
"Yes, but that…" Donna began.
"Let me finish. It doesn't mean that you don't have a right to be scared. I'm here for you and I will not let anything happen to you or our children," he reiterated.
He tilted his head downward toward Donna's face and they kissed. Donna smiled at him after she opened her eyes
"How about we get some sleep, so we can go back to the hospital and see tiny James Robert Ross," Harvey said knowing she was anxious to talk to Rachel and hold the baby, of course.
"Goodnight," Harvey said kissing her forehead one more time as he held her close.
Harvey woke a few hours later and checked his phone. It was around noon. They had been asleep for a couple of hours. Donna had turned out of his arms and lay on her side her back turned toward him. He listened to her breathe and scooting closer could not help but whisk her hair away from her shoulders. After doing so, he lightly kissed the freckled shoulder. Although he was afraid they would get into another fight, he wanted to make love to his wife. It amazed him how this one woman was the only one he desired. At the moment, he knew Donna did not feel her usual fabulous self. Donna was not vain, but she did not feel she was attractive. However, as her pregnancy became more pronounced feelings of insecurity increased. At those times, when he could figure out what was wrong, he assured her that he thought she was beautiful and especially in her fertile state she was the same old, wildly passionate Donna, his wife with whom he was forever in love.
Carefully so as just to arouse and not startle, Harvey took the initiative and kissed his way to her shoulder slipping the strap of her tank top down her shoulder to which Donna instinctively felt her husband's desire. Like a dancer, she gracefully lifted her arm so the strap would fall off. She turned to Harvey revealing a round sensuous breast with a darkened nipple. Harvey sighed deep in his throat getting harder just by the sight of her. His head dipped to play with that nipple and massage the breast with his mouth and fingers.
Donna, turned away, and rose on one side having her one arm bear her weight as Harvey helped her remove the tank top completely kissing each bit of skin revealed from her lower back to the inner curve of her neck. He came to sit behind her and put his arms around her now naked belly. She had turned away from him liking the mysterious journey of where his trailing kisses and touches went next. Donna leaned back into his lips and murmured "Oh Harvey" over and over reverently. He was her litany to be repeated over and over again as she was his goddess to be worshiped and adored. Her voice hitched in her throat and she emitted a high squeak at the tender touch of his long fingers on her parted thighs as his fingers stroked her most feminine part. He sat behind her letting his fingers gingerly press and trail. He was so aroused loving the feel of her in his hands and arms.
"I want you," Harvey whispered in her ear as her hands were over his while she guided his hands over her breasts and then down her belly. Their fingers were clasped tightly together with their fingers entwined. Their breathing became heavier as the heat between the ignited higher. Donna unclasped her fingers from Harvey's as she felt him kneel behind her. She felt his erection so hard and wanting release rub against her back. She reached her hand behind and around them and grabbed his ass and pushed him towards her pressing his hardness into her back.
Donna turned around then and kneel in front of her husband. They kissed as she removed his T-shirt. He slid her silk sleep shorts down her thighs and her panties followed. Donna wound her arms around Harvey's neck as pounding rain began to pound against their bedroom window darkening the brightness in the room that was there only a few minutes ago. She looked into his passion heavy lidded eyes. She whispered very deeply. "I want you, too, Harvey".
Donna kissed him and then trailed her tongue on Harvey's body raising the pitch of Harvey's fire leaving him weak and wanting only to be inside her. She looked into his eyes and held his face tenderly in her hands and kissed his mouth and trailed even more tender kisses over his precious face and then behind his ear and down his strong beautiful neck. She was intoxicated by his scent. The mix of sweat and aftershave and his own strong pheromone. She held him so tightly and as closely as she could. He held her tightly as he could focusing on her belly again and her gloriously beautiful breasts just above them looking like heavy fruit just asking to be plucked.
Harvey touched her body like glass. She deserved to be loved and loved tenderly and passionately. Donna sat with her legs around him and he sat with his legs around her. His erection was hard and needed release inside his wife. Donna wanted to delay it as long as possible just savoring their touches and their looks. Harvey had such a sublime look on his face as he watched her every movement and he closed his eyes as she had kissed him all over. He kissed her back with such tenderness and reverence in his touch. He opened his eyes and looked at her beautiful red mane as it framed her beautiful face. He loved her hair, her face, her body, simply, all of her. He smiled. He stroked her hair back as they sat, completely naked, looking at each other.
Biting her lip, Donna said softly with her voice she only reserved for him, "I want you, Harvey. Take me," she invited and let go of her bottom lip.
"You know that drives me wild when you bite your lip, Mrs. Specter," Harvey said smiling with all the swagger he possessed.
She nodded biting her bottom lip. "Why do you think I do it, Mr. Specter?" Donna whispered to him and kissed him again opening his mouth.
Kissing her, Harvey maneuvered her to her side where she would lie more comfortably. He stroked her body, plied her darkened aureoles with his tongue and stroked her belly. He gently parted her long legs, and she allowed his fingers to linger gently stroking her clitoris where he could feel she was wet and ready for him. Donna stroked his chest and his shoulders her long fingers playing with the imperfections of his skin and loving the feeling of him knowing he was her husband. The knowledge that only she would have this knowledge of him for the rest of their lives urged her to encourage him to continue loving their way to fruition.
He finally climbed behind her. He continued kissing her all the way. He slipped into her as she sighed with pleasure as they tenderly became one. He attempted to keep his driving into her gentle, however, with every stroke the rise built. He loved the feel of her tunnel walls grip him. He moaned and breathed heavily as the rhythm built and built. Trying to stem the tide a little not wanting this ecstasy to end, he momentarily laid his head against the crook of Donna's neck. Donna, straining herself could not wait for him to resume. She laid a hand behind her touching his ear. At her touch she took a breath in and then gritted her teeth as her desire and passion was driven to an apex with the return of Harvey's deep thrusts into her.
Crying out in their final release minutes later, Donna and Harvey eventually found completion in each other and it warmed them as the sun had just burst through their windows bathing their intimate sanctuary in warmth lighting their bedroom in the early afternoon sunshine.
About a month later on a warm late May evening, Donna opened her front door excitedly.
"Mom, Dad!" Donna screamed and the whoops and hollers accompanied hers as Jim and Clara Paulsen stepped into the wide apartment. Harvey stood behind his wife and kissed and hugged Clara and then shook hands with his father-in-law who looked on him favorably for once. He almost bro-hugged him, but awkwardly they pulled away from one another and just shook hands.
"You're huge!" Clara cried happily putting her hands around Donna's swollen belly.
"Thanks, mom," Donna said making a face at Harvey who raised an eyebrow.
"I'm sorry, honey. I mean you are growing big and beautiful with those babies," Clara said as she and Jim still ventured into their apartment.
It was late May and the weather was warm and rainy. The curtains were drawn on the patio windows, but the living room still looked warm and inviting.
"How are you, honey?" Jim asked kissing his daughter and trying to hug her but finding it difficult with her belly between them.
"I am fine, dad," Donna said. Her father stood back from trying to hug her and looked into her eyes to see if she was telling the truth.
"Really?" Jim asked in a hushed tone.
Donna nodded emphatically. "I'm very happy, daddy. Harvey is a wonderful husband and is going to be a great father. You'll see." She winked at him a little to emphasize her happiness and for her father not to worry.
"Come into the living room and I'll fix us some drinks," Harvey said. He gave Donna's hand a squeeze in the process.
Donna looked down at their clasped hands. It not gone unnoticed that Harvey's little affections had grown. He once had a hard time doing anything other than a tender look or holding her hand when he was moved. He now would touch her when she least expected it but always welcomed. He had never shrunk from her little shows of affection once their unsaid barrier had finally disintegrated. Donna loved it. This was the real Harvey that she knew had once been buried deeply inside of feelings of self-doubt and bravado.
Clara helped Donna maneuver herself to sitting down on the couch beside her. Harvey and Jim went over to the bar to fix drinks.
"So, Jim, how was that other deal that you were working on?" Harvey asked innocently.
"Well, I managed to get the jump on my competition. It worked out just fine. Thank you for asking." Jim looked at Harvey while Harvey prepared a glass of ginger ale that Jim could only assume was for Donna.
"Good. I'm glad it worked out well. With all due respect, Jim, if there is anything I can do for you, just ask," Harvey said pouring himself a glass of Macallan 18.
"You've really made my little girl happy. I'm glad to see you really take good care of her. She's happy."
Harvey was very surprised to hear those words from Donna's father. Their relationship had been much better for a while now, but Jim had not really noted that he realized how Harvey treated his daughter. He looked at Jim right now and smiled as he was very speechless.
"She's the most important person in my life, Jim."
"I know she is. Let's get the girls those drinks."
Harvey smiled and carried two glasses while Jim carried two as they joined the girls in the living room.
"So, Harvey, are you whipping up some wonderful meal for us or are we going out on this rather dreary day."
Harvey sat back in his favorite chair.
"How about a little music?" Harvey asked as he walked to his stereo system and placed one of his father's records on the turntable.
"Is this your father?" Clara asked.
"Yes, this was his album released after he died. It is one of our favorites," Harvey said giving everyone a rueful smile.
"I don't think we have ever heard any of your father's music. Thank you, Harvey," Clara said.
Donna took a sip of her drink. She was curious if her parents had heard anything of her sister and Troy, but she was reluctant to ask. She knew Harvey put on his father's music just to coerce her into addressing the elephant in the room.
"Well, I know you heard one of Gordon's records at that dinner party I held a million years ago. Remember?"
"Oh, yes, I remember. That's when I was going with that guy when your father and I were separated," Clara said.
Jim moved a little in his seat as Donna took a look at him when her mother mentioned that loser boyfriend of hers.
"Mom," Donna warned. "Daddy and you won't be sleeping in the same guest room you did in December because I want to show you something."
"Harvey?" Donna said motioning that she needed help getting up.
Harvey swallowed his drink swiftly and immediately put his arm around Donna's back and took her hand and helped lift her very round body up from the couch. Clara rose with her. Donna then took her mother's hand and told her excitedly how much she wanted to show her the nursery. Since Harvey knew that not only was her mother's interim boyfriend a sore spot with her father he also knew that Charlotte also was. They had never reconciled as Charlotte had desired when she returned as far as Donna and Harvey knew.
Harvey sat back with his drink in silence with Donna's father.
"It's ok, Harvey. I know they want to talk about Charlotte," Jim mentioned.
"Look, Donna told me what she knew is the root of your dissension with Charlotte. We do not want to get in the middle, but I know Donna is wondering what happened after she stormed out of here a few months ago. We haven't heard anything."
"She's married again. She also finally sold Donna's apartment."
Suddenly, he heard Donna's voice in laughter and then he heard Clara call his name excitedly.
Harvey quickly put down his glass and Jim did the same. They both rushed into the nursery and found Donna on the floor leaning against the giant stuffed giraffe. Harvey went to her.
"Are you ok?"
"Yes, I just stumbled on this little pink elephant that was in the crib. I dropped it and then I went to pick it up and I tripped on it," Donna said. "I am so clumsy now."
Harvey took the little elephant from Donna and threw it back in the nearest crib. He then helped Donna to her feet.
"Shouldn't we be leaving for the restaurant soon?" Donna asked impatiently. She was really starting to become annoyed at being twice the size she normally was. Harvey hovering and then sometimes ignoring her. She was almost through her seventh month. She was already getting tired of being pregnant.
"Yes, we should," Harvey said.
Then as they were following Jim and Clara out of the nursery, Harvey asked his wife in hushed tones.
"What's going on, Donna?"
"Oh, nothing, Harvey. I'm just a little tired and I feel huge and…"
Harvey just shut up and looked at her. Stopping in his tracks he took her by the arm and faced her.
"How about I call the restaurant and get it delivered? Then we can relax here with your parents and you can turn in early if you're tired. What do you say?"
Donna nodded. "Sure. Thanks, Harvey. Can you tell my parents, please? I just need a few minutes and then I'll be out there."
Harvey smiled. "Sure." He kissed her.
As Donna was turning toward their room, she could hear Harvey say to her mom and dad.
"Jim, Clara, I talked to Donna…."
