Hi Folks! I'm so grateful to all those now following and favoriting this little Darvey - Canon Fic. In this chapter, Donna's parents are at dinner when Harvey has given her a surprise. Hope you like it! Next Chapter coming soon!

Loving Each Other Out Loud

Chapter 4-Mother-in-Laws...Almost

"My mother is not going to bite you. She loves you, you know that," Donna said as they dressed for dinner with Donna's parents.

"Your father will. He hates my guts. What do you think he's going to think now that we're a couple? We're going to have to run away and elope," Harvey mentioned.

"Elope?" Donna asked but did not elicit a response from her boyfriend who was panicking at the fact he would have to cross paths again with Jim Paulsen but in a total different capacity other than Donna's boss or her friend.

That statement took Donna's attention away from applying her makeup in Harvey's bathroom. Is he thinking about marriage? It's only been three weeks! Maybe I should test the waters.

Donna came out of the bathroom and looked at Harvey as he put the final knot in his silver tie. He looked at himself in the floor length mirror and caught Donna looking at him from the bathroom.

Donna leaned against the doorjam in her knit burgundy dress below the knee. It elongated her height and showed off the best facets of her incredibly fit figure.

"Did I hear the confirmed bachelor Harvey Spector mention the word elope?"

"Donna," Harvey smirked as he continued to fiddle with his tie. "No. You heard the newly confirmed Donna Paulsen's boyfriend say the word elope."

"Is that your way of saying you want to get married? Because you are going to have to do better than that for a proposal especially for as long as I have waited for you" Donna said looking incredulous but exceedingly happy when he said he was "confirmed Donna Paulsen's boyfriend".

"Have you thought about it?" Harvey asked as he turned around and watched Donna's expression change from surprise to wonder." She half bit her lip and her eyes grew wide as saucers. She stepped away from Harvey to the bed where her light spring coat waited for her to wear. Harvey turned around and beat her to the coat and helped her to put it on. Before releasing her shoulders he turned her around and looked into her eyes.

"I'm serious, Donna. Have you thought about it?"

"Yes, I have. Many, many times over 13 years. I've always wondered what you would be like if you were my husband. In spite of all the boyfriends I have had in that time including Mark and Mitchell, I could never picture them as my husband. Only you," Donna turned and kissed him and Harvey took her into his arms and held her tight.

When they pulled apart, Harvey responded, "I never really thought marriage was for me until I realized I wanted you to be here with me. To share all my successes and support me through my failures. Just like you have always done but we could share each other's triumphs and defeats among other advantages that we have when we're together."

"Somehow it always gets back to sex with you, doesn't it?" Donna asked seeing the smirk on his face.

His face faltered and he took her hand and kissed it. He looked deeply into her dark green depths because he needed her to understand that he wanted all of it-now. Everything!

"Donna, no, it's not just that. Although I love that part the best. I want to be everything to you like you are to me. That wild part of my life is over. I'm tired of running away from myself. I've wanted something permanent for a long time now. I want that something permanent to be with you...forever."

Donna placed her hand and stroked his cheek with the thumb. She was so touched by his desire of wanting to be her everything as she was to him. She smiled.

"You are my everything. You always have been. I could never leave you if I tried, and, as you know, I have tried," Donna laughed and then kissed him lovingly on his lips.

"Ok, then let's say we take this discussion up later. We're going to be late if we don't get to the restaurant soon. Who knows what your father will think of me if I don't get you there on time," Harvey said.

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Donna just smiled and thought how sweet it was that Harvey was now having panic attacks because of her but for a very good reason. He wanted to reassure James Paulsen that his little girl was in very good hands.

"I have to say that I am very happy that you two finally got your lives on the same plane other than work," Roberta Paulsen said before forking an oyster hors d'oeuvre and placing in it in her mouth.

James Paulsen just harrumphed and narrowed his gaze on Harvey like he was between the hashmarks of a rifle target.

"Isn't that wonderful, Jim?" Roberta asked her husband. Donna's parents had been separated for many years but recently they wanted to try it again as they had never really stopped loving each other.

Jim looked over at his wife and then across at his daughter and then again scowled at Harvey. He felt Roberta elbow him urging him to say something nice to Harvey. He never understood how Harvey could charm women into liking him. Yes, he was a great looking guy with a fantastic smile but, really? Jim always thought Harvey smarmy. Harvey was a corporate lawyer after all. The smooth talking, oiliest, kind of attorney. Yes, Harvey had helped Jim out of the situation he was in a few years ago, but Jim still felt that that was no reason why he should particularly be grateful to him. He had put his daughter through hell. Jim was just supposed to drop all those moments when he knew his daughter was trading a real life to stay with working for this man and giving all of herself to him. Donna spent years turning down any man when it had become serious. Just a month ago, Roberta had told him that Donna had found another man. This Thomas Kessler man who seemed to be much more a decent person than Harvey Specter.

Yet, here Harvey sits now well aware that he supposedly wants Donna now for his own. Well, Donna was a grown woman, and she had always been in love with Harvey. Now it seemed his own wife was smitten as well.

"Yes, it's wonderful all right," Jim said in a voice that sounded the opposite of his words.

The maitre'd came to the table just then to announce they had a fifth person to join them for dinner.

"Who is it?" Donna wondered as she turned to Harvey who seemed to know exactly who the fifth wheel was going to be. Donna watched as Harvey rose from his chair to welcome a pretty older woman with graying hair, slim figure and big smile. She was dressed in beige slacks with paisley print blouse and plain scarf thrown over her the shoulders of her light beige coat.

"Mom, I'm so glad you could come," Harvey said and kissed her on the cheek. The maitre'd had brought a fifth chair and sat it at the end and gave her a place setting.

"Honey, I'm sorry I'm so late. I had to take the train at the last minute because Bobby had an emergency at the shop and couldn't leave. I hope you don't mind."

"No, mom. I'll have Ray drive you back to the train station unless you want to spend the night with us."

"Are you kidding? Two people in love with an almost mother-in-law hanging around. No way. You can have Ray drive me back."

"We'll see," Harvey said in a low voice. He then turned around as the matrie'd was finished setting a fifth place at the table.

"Everyone, this is my mother, Lily," Harvey said as he introduced Roberta and James Paulsen. When his mother sat down and he had pulled her chair in, Harvey had stood behind Donna's chair with his hands on her shoulders.

"Mom, this is Donna. My very special someone," Harvey had added at the last moment.

"Donna, this is my mother, Lily Specter," Harvey said as he noted surprised look on Donna's face.

"Lily, it is so good to meet you after all these years," Donna said clasping Lily's warm hand.

Lily smiled wide and said, "I am so happy for Harvey. He finally wised up and got the woman he's loved all along."

Harvey had sat back down and then gulped some water when Donna turned to look at him with that incredulous look saying without words what did you tell her? Donna smiled and shook her head. Under the table she took Harvey's hand and squeezed it and his thigh at the same time. Harvey looked back at her with raised eyebrows and silly smile almost as if he were saying What? Did I do something wrong?

As dinner wore on, there was a lot of anecodotes thrown back and forth about when Harvey and Donna were small. They continued to eat through dessert and coffee with good camaraderie. The only issue was that Jim Paulsen had not said two words directly to Harvey the entire night. They exchanged barbs about business acumen and Jim Paulsen's lack thereof. Roberta took her husband's hand and coerced him into sitting civilly for a few more minutes

"Jim, I think you owe Harvey an apology. I'm sure he did not mean his last statement aimed at you."

Harvey looked at Roberta and Jim and said, "It's ok, Roberta. I didn't mean anything directly at Jim. I was just making an observant statement about real estate in general. No need to apologize. I'm a big enough man to see when someone truly believes and can support his argument. I say we leave it that we agree to disagree," Harvey said raising his water glass.

"Here, here," Donna supported by raising her own glass.

Donna spot wiped the corners of her mouth with her napkin and excused herself to go to the Ladies' Room. Both Lily and Roberta excused themselves, as well, and walked away to the bathroom with Donna leaving Jim and Harvey alone at the table.

"Now that the women aren't sitting right here, I would like to give you a piece of my mind," James Paulsen jumped down Harvey's throat.

"What do you want? Just come out and say it. I know what you're probably thinking."

"And what the hell would that be?"

"That this is temporary and that I'm going to hurt her again."

"Well, are you? Do you know how many tears that woman has shed for you? The few times when she has discussed someone other than you in her life I was happy for her. Someone other than you. Then she would break up with him or he would break up with her all for the same reason-you. Donna could have had children and a home by now if it weren't for you..."

"Enough!" Harvey cried vehemently. "I know I hurt her, but if you ever really listened to her she would tell you that she was not perfect either. All those years ago we had an understanding and it was one I respected. Call me a fool, but I thought that was what she wanted. Maybe if I had realized I was in love with her a long time ago all our lives would have been different. But I didn't and I can't go back. I can only move forward and I know I cannot do that without Donna," Harvey had explained to Donna's father.

"I love her and want to be with her for as long as she'll have me, Jim," Harvey said giving Jim Paulsen the biggest sublime expression. Harvey could feel tears stinging his eyes. Harvey did not care if Jim Paulsen saw those tears; and, maybe if Jim realized how much Harvey loved his daughter, they could work on their own relationship as the two most important men in Donna's life.

The women had returned and Donna saw the expression on Harvey's face and the tears standing in his eyes. She would not embarrass Harvey in front of their mothers, so she silently gestured with her eyes and head leaning it to the side and putting the question in her eyes. Harvey rose and pulled the chair out for Donna and whispered in her ear as he pulled her in, "It's okay."

Eventually, Harvey asked for the check and the somewhat enjoyable evening came to an end. Roberta and Jim left kissing Donna on the cheek and Roberta hugging Harvey and telling him she was so happy for them both. Jim said he was coming back in town in a few weeks for a new deal and said he would like to plan to have lunch with his daughter-alone.

Donna looked at her father aghast and said, "I'll see what our calendars look like." She wanted her father to understand that Harvey was not going anywhere and she liked it that way.

That left Lily alone with Harvey and Donna as they continued preparing to leave the restaurant.

"Mom, come home with us for a nightcap. I have a spare bedroom and you can use that," Harvey invited.

"No, Harvey. I am not intruding..."

"You can go to my apartment," Donna suddenly interjected. "Everything is clean and the sheets are new on the bed. I'll be with Harvey and you can have my place all to yourself."

"Donna, that is so kind of you. It's ok, though, I'll just take the train home. It's not that late and I'm sure Bobby is finished at the shop."

"Well, call Bobby to make sure before I put you on that train," Harvey said. He thought the suggestion of his mother staying at Donna's was wonderful and he thought again how lucky he was to have finally woken up. Donna could not have been more gracious to his mother the entire evening especially considering how much she knew of his past problems with his mother.

"Bobby didn't answer his phone. He's probably asleep."

"Then it's settled. We're taking you to Donna's apartment. We can get you all set up and then we can have breakfast in the morning together," Harvey commanded and suggested all at the same time.

"We look about the same size. I'm sure I have pajamas I can loan you," Donna said agreeing wholeheartedly with Harvey in this matter. No matter how pissed Donna was with Harvey for inviting Lily without telling her. Donna did not object to Lily herself, but she had given Harvey a two week window about having dinner with her parents but Donna was given no such prep period.

"Ok. I will just leave a voicemail for Bobby so he doesn't worry," Lily said as she pulled her phone out of her purse once again.

"Thank you, Donna and Harvey, for making me feel welcome."

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Donna was unusually distant from Harvey on the way back to his penthouse. He tried to hold her hand or place his hand on her knee and both times she had rebuffed him. It was the first time in three weeks that she had not placed her head on his shoulder or leaned into his touch when he gave it. Considering that they had gone thirteen years without touching one another it was odd for the feeling to rub off this soon into their relationship.

I know this isn't a big thing of itself, but the fact that he had not told me first that his mother was coming. I would have liked to have had time to prepare something to say to her. I know what she did to Harvey and it isn't my right to be angry with her for that. I'm not angry with Lily. I am just a tad upset with Harvey that he kept this from me. Surprises are surprises but he has to know that I do not like this type of surprise. I was blindsided.

Ray had dropped them off at Harvey's building. Donna did not say anything to Harvey even when he had asked her pointblank what she thought of his mother now that she met her face to face.

The minute the door of the apartment was shut behind them. Donna slammed down her evening bag, removed her own coat, kicked off her high heels and stomped her way to the fireplace where Harvey had sat down waiting for her tirade.

"No warning! I had no warning your mother was coming!" Donna exclaimed as Harvey took a seat on the couch with his drink in his hand.

"I, at least, afforded you the invitation and let you pick the date so you would prepared! I got nothing!" Donna shouted at him. Her hair swinging forward and her hand gesturing.

Harvey finally stood up and slammed his drink on the table.

"Enough!"

Donna had taken shelter into the bedroom to remove her dress. She had gone into the bathroom and shedding all clothes except for her panties she put on her long pink silk robe. She was planning to take a long bath with or without Harvey.

The least he could have done was warn me. I gave him plenty of warning that my father was coming. That's why we put it off for three weeks. That and the firm's business couldn't wait any longer. I thought we were finally in a place where he would not keep information from me.

Harvey had stood there empty handed and taken quite aback to the fact that his girlfriend did not like the surprise of his mother. He really thought she would not mind. They haven't met before and neither had Donna's parents, so I thought that it would be great if all the family members knew and could share how happy we are. I suppose I was wrong. I know she hates surprises like that. I guess I should have known better.

Donna was in the bath by the time Harvey had knocked timidly on the bathroom door.

"Come in, Harvey. It's your bathroom," Donna said sarcastically not meanly or loudly just sarcastically.

Harvey came in with a sheepish, apologetic look on his face. He was still dressed in his shirt and trousers but his jacket and his tie were missing. The sleeves of his light blue shirt were rolled up. He came to sit on the edge of the tub and faced his love as her face was half hidden by a mound of bubbles.

"I'm sorry, Donna. I just thought it would be nice if all the parents got to know one another and were happy for us."

Donna moved her head a little. She had her red tresses loosely tied up and her head leaning on a folded towel on the edge of the tub. She moved her one long leg and crossed her ankles on the other side of the tub. The water and the bubbles moved closer to Harvey. He did not get wet, though.

"It's ok, Harvey. I guess I overreacted. I just don't like getting blindsided. I've known about what you're mother did to you and..."

"You helped us reconcile, Donna. I won't forget that. Making up with my family, especially my mother, was the best thing for me. You helped me to see that. I just wanted to let you see what your coercion wrought."

"Wrought? I don't think that's the word you truly want to use there," Donna smiled at him. Her dark jade eyes were peaceful, and she half closed them because she was beginning to have those kind of thoughts when the love of your life is sitting on the edge of the tub fully dressed and you are a full hot blooded woman totally naked underneath the bubbles.

"I think you surprised yourself more than me," Donna said suddenly.

When Harvey started to talk, she sat up and put a soapy finger to his lips.

"Shh..Specter. You invited your mother because you knew my father wouldn't say anything in front of your mother to make you look bad. Between the both of you, I thought my mother and I would have to ensure that you both didn't come to fisticuffs."

Harvey snorted a laugh and looked at her. He kissed her finger before he removed it from his lips. He could taste the bath oil on his lips that her finger had left there.

"Donna, maybe. I just didn't want to spoil the dinner with your parents. As it turns out, your father waited until the three of you ventured into the bathroom before he pounced on me."

"I'm sorry. My mother had said she gave him a long lecture about saying anything to you. She really has our best interests at heart."

"That's because your mother is a woman and, she, like many can't resist me."

"OMG! THE Harvey Specter is back and in full egotistical force!" Donna said sarcastically.

"Yes, I will have to get the...what did you call it that time?"

"The Harvey Specter University of Gloating..." Donna laughed.

Harvey smiled and looked into the air with arrogance. "Yes, The Harvey Specter University of Gloating is now open again and willing to give lectures!" He busted out into a full blown laugh and fell, fully clothed with socks, into the tub with Donna. He took her into his arms and kissed her. The water sloshed back and forth in violent waves and as they laughed they heard the water splash onto the floor taking some of the bubbles with it. They both stoppped laughing long enough to look into each other's eyes. Donna took his face into her hands.

"If I haven't told you yet, I happen to love all of The Harvey Specter even his big fat ego!"

Harvey was lying beside Donna in the spacious tub not caring if his very expensive suit trousers and very expensive dress shirt were absorbing harmful bath oils or not. He stroked her cheek and said, "Well, I happen to love all the Donna Paulsen, know-it-all, (kiss), phenomenal COO, (kiss) and staff whisperer," Harvey's words faded into a searing kiss.

Donna placed his hand on the spot which undid her and let him work his magic on her. She in the meantime had him undressed and sharing the bath with her in two minutes flat.

"Good call about your apartment, Paulsen," Harvey murmured as he watched Donna's expression as he worked the spot between her legs.

"Shut up Specter and keep working..."