Chapter 5- over the years- part 1

Ava was five months now. And Donna had found a perfect day-care near the office for her.

Initially, it had been extremely difficult for Harvey to work with a temp. He was so used to Donna managing his life that he could not cope with another secretary. But he knew his needs were second to Ava's now. Also, he knew Donna was only gone for a few months and would be back in no time.

In spite of all of that, he found himself missing her. He spent almost every weekend at Donna's during her maternity leave. "Harvey, you should be put there, playing the field " Donna told him one Friday night when they were alone in her living room and Ava had gone off to sleep. "This is more wholesome than playing the field with a nameless girl". "Who are you? And what have you done to my arrogant, self-absorbed and douchey boss?"
Donna bantered. "Oh he is still there, but sometimes he gets soft for little Ava" he replied. "She has you wrapped around her little finger. With all the presents you bought her. When she grows she is going to think I'm the devil because of the amount you'll spoil her"

"Well, I wouldn't want Louis to get the title of her favourite uncle." He reasons. "That could never happen and you know it" Donna replies sincerely. It's then that they're startled by Ava's cries. "I literally just fed her half an hour ago, what now?" "Stay right here, I'll get her" Harvey however, comes back 20 mins later "she had an accident so I changed her" he says while sitting beside Donna again. "You didn't have to Harvey, you could have called me" Donna is once again overwhelmed with emotions because of Harvey's act.

"What are friends for?" He simply shrugs while saying this. "Anyways, I should get going. It's almost midnight. Get some sleep" He says, and following the words he gets up from the couch. "Harvey" Donna says softly, when he is headed for the door. He turns around and parrots her, "Donna?"

"Just thank you! For everything. I would be lost without you. Also, it's not official yet. But I would like you to be Ava's godfather" she says her voice filled with emotions. Hearing this, he does not know what gets into him but he walks towards her and gives her the tightest hug. "I'd be honoured to be her godfather Donna. Also, you don't have to thank me, you're my best friend in the world. I am only doing half of what you would have done for me." That earns him a smile from her. He then continues, "And if anyone gets a wind of what I just said and that I've gotten soft in the office, you're fired." he tries to joke in order to lighten the mood.

"Oh, please! I'm irreplaceable" she winks at him and he kisses her cheek bidding her farewell and heads out. It's just meaningless flirting, she thinks to herself. It doesn't mean anything.

THREE YEARS LATER

Ava was in pre school now. She had big beautiful blue eyes (courtesy the hot French dude Donna had slept with) and her mother's red hair and wit. All of three years old and she was already quite smart for her age.

Sometimes when Donna had to work late, she would bring Ava to the firm with her.

Ava would quietly sit on Harvey's couch and indulge in her colouring book or sometimes fall asleep on it while Harvey and Donna worked. Jessica didn't mind having Ava at the firm after hours. Like everyone she was taken by the little girl's charm and nobody else could really say anything to the great Harvey Specter.

Harvey had only recently hired Mike as an associate and Donna had found out through the intercom that he did not go to Harvard.

Mike both respected and feared Harvey. He had almost bought into his facade of 'I'm not about caring, only about winning' until he met little Ava one evening sitting on his couch aggressively colouring.

Donna was out making some copies for Harvey and Harvey was just about to reach his office from a client's meeting. They had been working on a messy hostile takeover case and it looked like they would have to pull an all nighter.

At first Mike thought the little girl was Harvey's. But his conjecture turned out to be false when Harvey entered the office and the little girl ran into his arms ecstatically screaming "Harveyy" and not 'daddy'. Harvey lifted her up and sprung her in the air. "How is my favourite girl? I have missed you!" Ava burst into a fit of laughter "I missed you too Harveyy!" At that very moment Donna entered his office. "Ava, let Harvey work now. He has a big case coming up okay?" "But but mommy, Harvey doesn't come over anymore and I miss him" Ava argues. "Okay, how about this weekend you and I watch Beauty and the Beast (her favourite movie) together and I will also let you eat as many candies as you like" Harvey tries to reason with the three year old. "You promise?" Ava questions. "I promise, Av" and with that Harvey puts her on the ground and Donna tells him her and Ava are heading home. To which he tells her to let Ray drop them. Donna knowing there is no point arguing further complies.

Mike had witnessed the whole exchange and felt a bit out of place. So Ava was Donna's daughter and was apparently really closed to Harvey as well. Which meant The Great Harvey Specter did care. But he only cared for his secretary and her child.

He would not dare to broach that subject with a ten foot pole though. Not yet, especially because it had only been two months since he had started working for Harvey and he had a lot to learn from him and about him.