I don't want a lot for Christmas

There is just one thing I need

Harvey looked around his condo and found for the very first time since he bought it, it felt like a true home. It had always just been the roof over his head before. It lacked personality, is what Donna used to tell him but he never cared. He never thought it needed to represent him in any way before. After Mike moved in, that shifted his perspective a little.

I don't care about the presents

Underneath the Christmas tree

He wanted to make Mike feel welcome. He wanted it to be more than four walls and a roof but despite having lived there for a couple months now, the place had never really represented Mike. The bedroom was different; their own perfect world was just beyond that door. Still, Mike hadn't had a lot of stuff of his own to bring. It never seemed to bother the younger man, but it looked more like 'a drawer at his boyfriend's place' than he actually lived there.

I just want you for my own

More than you could ever know

His condo now was decorated for Christmas, all thanks to Mike. Family ornaments that had survived the fire or were in storage decorated the tree he'd bought specifically for his boyfriend. Books that Harvey had never read were scattered everywhere, Mike's dirty socks were tucked by the coffee table in just the right spot that they're easily missed and more food in the fridge than there'd ever been at one time before. Star Wars movies next to his Star Trek and the new dish towels Mike picked out in the kitchen that were a god awful yellow that made him smile. And of course, the recipe box filled with his mother's baking. An entire cabinet was dedicated to baking tools and ingredients. Harvey would need to increase his mileage on the treadmill but knew it was worth it.

Make my wish come true

It suddenly felt like the hard part was behind them. The secrets and competition. Now they could focus completely on them. It was rather unfortunate that he was only realizing all of this as his mother was walking in behind him for Christmas morning. He felt an overwhelming urge to kiss Mike senseless under the mistletoe Mike had placed above the fireplace with the stockings with all their names on it. His mother hummed with approval behind him and Havey had to hide his grin.

All I want for Christmas is you

The music was playing softly in the house, the only indication that Mike was awake and moving around. His mother had declined the invitation to visit Donna's the day before in hopes that everyone would change their minds about Christmas at hers, so Harvey had gone to get her early. Donna was picking up Gram from the nursing home and should have been there any minute.

I don't want a lot for Christmas

There is just one thing I need,

Mike had been up late the night before, tossing and turning about having to see Lily again. He pretended to be sound asleep whenever he managed to accidentally wake Harvey up, but the older man knew he was only trying not to worry him. He'd finally fallen asleep, too exhausted to keep his eyes open, around five that morning.

and I

Don't care about the presents

Underneath the Christmas tree

When he'd texted Donna this morning to tell her, she insisted on picking up Gram and bringing her over in order for Mike to get some sleep. Now, the music was playing and it looked like Mike had started cooking the turkey for it to be done at dinner time. The door to the bedroom opened in the back.

I don't need to hang my stocking

There upon the fireplace

"Is Donna here?"

Harvey rolled his eyes, "No, that's Mike. Donna went to go get Gram."

Lily snorted, taking off her coat and hanging it up in the closet. "She isn't your Gram, dear. Why call her that?"

"She is my Gram," Harvey responded without thinking. She was his future husband's - if Harvery ever got so lucky - grandmother. Harvey loved her as much as he'd loved his own grandparents. He wanted nothing but the best for her and paid for the best for her. She told him she loved him and he knew she meant it. She was his Gram. Hell, she was Donna's Gram too if that sweet old woman had anything to say on the matter.

He turned to find Lily looking at him funny but she said nothing as she took her shoes off and walked into the kitchen. Harvey looked down the hall and found Mike staring at him, smiling. Harvey motioned for him to come closer and join them.

"Have you heard from Jonathan," Harvey asked his mother so Mike could sneak in the room without her ambushing him. He'd talked to his brother yesterday. He and Emily were both doing well and spending Christmas with her family. There were no updates to the baby, other than they were having no bigger problems than the morning sickness. She was due for her first ultrasound soon and because he knew Mike and Donna would never forgive him if he didn't, he requested a photo of it as soon as they were able.

Lily rolled her eyes but hid it when she stuck her nose in the oven to check the turkey. "No, he called this morning to wish me a merry Christmas but he's with Emily for the day. Other than that, not a word."

Mike and Harvey shared a look. Sitting at the breakfast nook, Mike cleared his throat. "Merry Christmas, Mrs. Dennis. I hope you've been well."

She turned and smiled at Mike, though it did not reach her eyes. Mike had a feeling she was disappointed to find him there and not Donna but Mike didn't care to let it bother him. This was his first Christmas with Harvey; he was going to enjoy every single second of it.

"Hello, Mike," Lily smiled, leaning over the counter to pitch his cheeks, "how are you?"

"Very well, thank you." He responded. "Can I get you something to drink?"

"Oh, Mike," Lily laughed, slapping his arm in a playful manner. "You are more a guest here than I am. I should be offering you one."

Harvey couldn't hide his frown or the defeated little sigh that made his whole body deflate. "Mother, Mike lives here, remember?"

"Yes, of course." She waved him off a little, going into the fridge and pulling out a bottle of wine. "Not for much longer though, I assume. He will be going off to college soon. That must be so exciting. Any plans, I'd love to hear them!"

"I plan to attend the university for pre-law."

Harvey smiled a little. "He's being modest. He's up for a full ride to the university and between you and me he's got it all tied up but he'll still be living here during." Harvey looked over at Mike who was blushing but smiling at him. "And you know what, mom...He's going to be here as long as I am."

The words came almost without permission but he didn't regret them in the slightest. Mike's jaw dropped visibly but Harvey only smiled at him.

"Harvey," Lily pulled his attention back to her. She could tell something was going on but wasn't sure what it was.

"Listen," he turned his attention back to Mike, "there's no point in hiding it, right? Gram knows and who knows what she might spill out her mouth today. Let's just be honest, alright? I probably shouldn't have done it like this but I don't want to hide you anymore."

"What on Earth are you talking about?!"

Harvey waited until Mike nodded before turning back to his mother. "Mom, Mike and I are dating. He's my boyfriend and he lives with me. He's not going anywhere."

Lily was silent for several moments, staring between the two of them. "I thought he was your student."

At this, Harvey cringed. "He is, still. But only for the next five months. Louis' partner got expelled from school and Louis was forced to forfeit the competition. We've already won and the prize is Mike's. We were going to wait until after graduation to tell you but at this point it's easier to be honest than to keep hiding it."

She sat at the counter with Mike and Harvey poured her a glass of wine. She took it from him and then in a lowered voice as if they were talking about something naughty, she whispered, "Is that legal?"

Harvey barked out a laugh. "Yes, though it is still frowned upon I cannot get arrested for anything we are doing here."

Lily pressed her lips together. "Actually I was wondering if it was legal for Mike to sleep with you for a better grade."

Her tone was obviously joking and Mike had to bite his tongue to stop his laughter. "You are taking this far better than I ever thought."

Lily drank her wine. "It's the shock, dear." She looked Mike up and down, evaluating every little thing. Harvey thought he might be concerned his mother was blatantly checking out his boyfriend in front of him but under the circumstances, he'd allow it. "I always thought Donna was perfect for you. I see now she was missing something."

"Okay, okay," Harvey raised his hands. "Enough of...that."

He glared at Mike with no real heat when he started giggling. Harvey bent over so he was facing his mother face to face from the other side of the counter. "Mom, I'm happy, okay? Donna and I have never been anything more than friends and she will always be in our lives but Mike is who I will be sharing my life with. Can you understand that?"

"I'm sorry," she said, and Harvey forced down his disappointment. He couldn't force her to accept them. He only hoped she wouldn't cause them any problems now that she knew the truth. It was a gamble to tell her now but luckily Mike wouldn't be affected if things went terribly wrong. If she made a fuss, a true fuss, he may be forced to resign in order to save Jessica from letting him go. His mind was already calculating his options when his mother patted his hand. Signing, Lily turned to Mike. "I'm sorry, Mike, I probably made you feel so terrible at Thanksgiving."

"You didn't know."

Cautiously, Harvey poured her more wine. "I've been truly terrible, haven't I?" Silence followed. "Okay, wow. I suppose I deserve that."

Mike's face went red. "I'm sor-"

Lily stopped him. "Don't be silly." She drank more wine. "Harvey, I've known for a long time that you were bisexual, that doesn't bother me. But this," she motioned to the two of them. "I'll just have to trust you on. I think it'll take some getting used to."

"We understand that."

They did. They would give her the time to adjust so long as she could be kind and respectful. Harvey would not allow her to disrespect Mike, especially now that she knew the truth. It was probably so much to take it all at once, combined with the fact that she was about to be a grandmother and didn't much like the woman his son had chosen. Mike was sure, given the chance, she and Emily would be great friends.

"It's not you, of course," she reassured Mike. "As far as I can see you're a lovely young man. It's just that...well…"

"I'm a lovely young man?"

Lily laughed at her own transparency. "I don't want trouble for Harvey, is all. I worry. He is my baby boy."

"Ugh."

"Shush, young man."

"Oh now I'm young," Harvey teased.

Just then the door opened and Donna and Gram walked in. Gram had never been to Harvey's condo before so she was a bit distracted looking at it and the decorations. "Oh, my little Mike did this, I can tell!"

At this, Lily looked at Mike and smiled. Then back at Gram. "So this is the wonderful Gram I've heard so much about."

Gram turned and looked at her. "Lily," she said, remembering the conversation she had with Donna in the car. With her dementia, they were a little concerned about what she may have said to Lily about Mike and Harvey, which was why Donna had insisted on getting Gram.

"It's lovely to meet you," she said, "Harvey, darling, don't leave this woman without a drink. You take care of her this instant."

Lily took a moment to look at them. She saw this wonderful little family that she wasn't a part of and had no idea it even existed. Part of her was very pleased for Harvey because he did genuinely seem happy with his life. A bigger part of her felt too overwhelmed. There was so much she didn't know about her children, so much they felt they needed to hide.

Tears welled in her eyes, but she pushed them back. "I need a moment to powder my nose. Please excuse me."

Donna had to stop herself from reaching out for a fleeing Lily. Harvey raised his hand slowly and they let her go. Mike helped his grandmother to the couch and brought her a drink, the two falling into their own world together as they sometimes did.

"Give her a minute," Harvey whispered to Donna. "Trust us, she needs it."

"You told her didn't you?"

Harvey nodded.

"You owe me."

Confused, he raised his eyebrows, handing her a glass of wine. "Whatever for?"

The redhead smiled. "Do you have any idea how much prep work I put into this? All of this? I'm exhausted. You owe me."

Harvey smiled but did not question her and her mysterious ways. She had probably done far more than he would ever know. He was truly lucky to have her as his friend. While they were chatting, Lily had sneaked back into the room and gone and sat next to Gram on the couch. The three chatted for a moment before Mike excused himself and came to stand next to Harvey. The older man went to preparing him a hot chocolate while pretending not to notice when he took a sip of Donna's wine.

"Congratulations," Donna whispered as she tapped her glass to Mike's mug. "Your future mother-in-law is beginning to like you."

Mike blushed but tapped his cup without a word.

"You know what that means now, don't you?"

"No, what?"

Chuckling, she said, "Regular visits."

"Presents," Harvey called out suddenly, "let's do presents!"