HI Folks! Here we are again on the second half of the Gala Affair. I promise next chapter we will move on. However, I would like to acknowledge guests who have read some of my other Darvey fics and have left reviews or following or favorited them. Thank you so much. It does encourage me to go on. So without further ado, here's the second half of the gala affair - Carebearmaxi

Loving Each Other Out Loud

Chapter 6 - Gala Affair Part 2

"Esteemed clients and colleagues, partners, ladies and gentlemen, I stand before you today as managing partner of Specter Litt Wheeler Williams in yet another new beginning. Nothing better than to ring in a new era of hopeful good business and happy relations than by merging a newly merged family with our own. To the newly formed New York First Fidelity Bank and Trust, I welcome you on behalf of our firm family. May our two firms always have an alliance built on trust and good faith..."

They all stood around the platform watching Louis in his element. He loved the stage and this stage was his forum. He loved the firm and he loved the law. However, Louis could lose himself in speeches and his beloved firm family members were getting itchy to make the toast and continue to party.

"...Thank you for becoming a part of our family..." Louis concluded and raised his glass, and everyone in the room gratefully raised their glasses as well and took a sip of their particular beverage in joined salute.

Harvey took his champagne flute and clicked it with Donna's and then Samantha's. Alex and Rosalie had clicked with Donna and then Harvey. Louis then came down from the platform and placed Sheila's hand in his and walked to the small group of firm partners.

"Nice speech, Louis," Alex said.

"Do you think you could have just said a little more, Louis?" Harvey teased with a smile and then handed Louis a glass of champagne, and Donna handed Sheila a glass of sparkling cider especially obtained for her. They all toasted again. By that time Katrina had found her way back to the fold and joined.

"To Specter Litt Wheeler Williams!" they all quietly cheered and drank.

Samantha took that moment to excuse herself and walked away from her little family.

Katrina did the same as she saw one of her new clients in the distance and wanted to speak with him to know him better. It did not hurt that this client who was a major customer of FFNY was a tall, dark, handsome man who looked great in a black tux.

Donna smirked as she watched Katrina walk away. Harvey looked at her looking at Katrina as she walked away.

"No, you didn't," Harvey said smirking at his girlfriend.

"What? It's called propinquity, hotshot," Donna said knowing what his next words were going to be.

"Shit! You really did happen to just push them into each other?"

"Not so much push just gently guided," Donna said smiling. She looked at Harvey with false shock. "What's that face?"

Harvey shook his head. "I don't remember you being such a matchmaker."

"I'm a COO and one of my jobs was to put a client with a lawyer," Donna said explaining to Harvey what one of her jobs was during the merger meetings.

"Besides, I found the man I wanted. Why shouldn't Katrina? I felt so bad after what happened with Brian," Donna said.

Harvey took his last swig and shook his head in disbelief. He had no idea what Donna was talking about but apparently Louis and Sheila had because they continued the discussion.

"I totally agree Donna. One can find love in the strangest places," Louis said placing his arm a little more tightly around Sheila who stroked her little baby bump.

Harvey had heard that last remark and turned back around from craning his neck to spot Katrina and Omanpour, her new client. Then looking back at his love Harvey remarked, "I have to agree, Louis. One does find love in the strangest places."

Donna lowered her eyes suddenly feeling shy in Harvey's gaze. A condition that in all the years they had known each other had only happened a couple times. The most recent being this morning in the shower when Harvey told her how beautiful she was as he washed her hair.

"Louis never told me how you two met," Sheila asked. She knew so little of Louis' partners and really thought she should know them since Louis was important to her and they were important to him.

"They met when Harvey worked in the D.A.'s office," Louis volunteered.

Harvey smiled at Donna and she smiled back.

"Should we tell them?" Donna asked seeing the amusement on Harvey's face.

"Sure. Why not?"

"We didn't exactly meet at the D.A's office," Donna began and then took a look at Harvey who was rocking discomfitingly on the balls of his feet. They silently signaled to one another that Donna continue the beginnings of their tale.

"I came up to him in a bar where he was celebrating a famous drugpin he had put away," Donna said proudly and smiling from ear to ear remembering that meeting and how much she had been intrigued by the handsome Harvey Specter.

"She said she wanted to move to my desk, and so we went into a corner of the bar where I could get to know her and then she tells me that what she didn't want from me was sex," Harvey said realizing he was embarrassing Donna. He also knew that it no longer mattered how they met or the years they had spent (he had spent) wasting time telling her how much he could not live without her.

"Harvey!" Donna exclaimed and slapped him lightly on the arm.

Sheila and Louis laughed.

"I knew he tried to hit on you first," Louis said amused by the honesty of their conversation. He looked down and Sheila was smiling.

"Well, apparently, you must have fallen in love on that night," Sheila said.

"Why would you say that?" Donna asked curiously.

"Because Louis has always said how much you care for one another and he knew instinctively it was more than just a boss and his secretary. Congratulations! We are both very happy that now you have finally realized you belong together."

Harvey eyed Donna and she eyed him back.

"Thank you, Sheila for that observation," Harvey said as he heard the music starting again. Playing this time a bluesy jazz love song which he immediately recognized as Miles Davis. Harvey turned to Donna.

"Hey, about a dance?" He asked softly.

"I wondered when you were going to ask," Donna stated taking Harvey's hand.

When they got out to the dance floor, Harvey pulled Donna close.

"I have been waiting all night to dance with you, Donna," Harvey whispered in her ear. Her hand was clasped with his and their fingers intertwined. Harvey's arm was low around her back and hips and Donna was so close she momentarily placed her head on his shoulder intoxicated with his scent and the feel of his arms around her so intimately. She then sneaked a kiss onto his neck.

"I love you, Harvey," whispered Donna. "I don't ever want this feeling to end..."

Harvey moved his head to look into her eyes and then pulling her even closer holding every delicious curve against him he kissed her deeply on the dance floor in front of everyone. Harvey could care less if anyone thought it funny that the first name partner and the COO were now acting intimately. Harvey did not care. He had never been this happy before. He felt light and knew that this very special woman was the reason. She had always been his reason.

"I feel the same way," Harvey said to Donna looking into her eyes causing her to blush. Harvey smiled and pulled her close once again as they started to dance again in their own little circle.

After a bit, there was a sudden annoying tap on Harvey's shoulder.

"Can I cut-in with your radiant girlfriend?"

Harvey smiled and liked hearing Donna being call his girlfriend.

"Sure, Louis," Harvey said and then surprised himself by asking Louis. "Is your lovely fiancee up to dancing?"

"I most certainly am. Thank you, Harvey," Sheila said as Harvey manuevered around Sheila's baby bump and whisked her away on the floor.

Louis examined his COO and could not help but see that glow that she once attributed to yoga.

"Yoga, my ass, I knew your glow came from more than that," Louis said.

Donna lowered her eyes and smiled. "Well, it figures that you, Mr. Sensitivity, would notice. Most men are oblivious."

She looked at Louis, and they both laughed out loud.

"So you didn't come over to talk to me. I suppose it's because you saw Thomas," Louis said quietly.

Donna lowered her eyes again and bit her lip wondering how to explain herself.

"It was awkward, our breakup, and I really thought the last person he would want to see would be me, especially since..."

"Since you're now with Harvey," Louis finished. He swirled Donna around in a quick turn which made her curls sway in the breeze.

"Sheila is positively glowing, Louis. Everything is ok with the baby then?" Donna asked as she spotted Harvey and Sheila dancing slowly and holding a conversation.

"Yes, everything is great with the baby. Sheila and I still haven't worked out a few things, but we decided that we will make those decisions someday. We just want to enjoy this time because we probably won't have a chance to have a bigger family."

Donna nodded understanding. Her more intimate relationship with Harvey was still so new and beautiful that Donna was reluctant to really wonder if Harvey wanted more like children and marriage. She knew he was not going anywhere that he was in it for the long haul, but it took him so long to claim her that she sometimes wondered if other big decisions would take as long.

That's a topic for another evening. Someday... Donna thought as Louis skillfully danced her around the floor in a waltz.

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Harvey was dancing with Sheila and enjoying their conversation. They were talking about Louis and how much he really enjoyed being managing partner.

"He seems to have been cut out for the role. He really is doing a fantastic job."

"It's so good to hear you say that, Harvey. He admires you so much," Sheila admitted.

"I admire him, too," Harvey said then smirking and whispering in her ear. "Just don't tell him I told you that."

"Deal," Sheila said smiling. Suddenly Sheila pulled away and made a face.

"What's the matter? Are you ok?" Harvey asked seeing the sudden strange look on Sheila's face.

Sheila put a hand to her bump. "I think the baby just kicked."

"Really?" Harvey was perplexed. He had never been in this position before. He was way too young to remember anything when his mom was pregnant with his brother.

"Are you in pain?"

"No, Harvey. I'm fine, but could you get Louis for me?" Sheila asked looking up at Harvey.

"Of course," Harvey said making sure that Sheila was sitting down before he ventured to find Louis in the throng of dancers.

"Louis," Harvey said doing his best not to panic Louis. He caught Donna's look and she knew that something had happened by the sudden warning look he gave her back.

"Sheila wanted me to come find you," Harvey said speaking to Louis as they moved off the dance floor.

"Is she ok?" Louis said looking up at Harvey.

"Everything is fine she says. She just wanted to tell you something that couldn't wait," Harvey said.

Donna took Harvey's hand and ran behind Louis.

"What happened?"

"Apparently, Sheila felt their baby move and she wanted to share it with Louis, so she had me run over here and get him."

"Harvey! That's so wonderful!"

By the time they had made it back to Sheila, Louis had his hand on Sheila's belly with the biggest grin on his face and tears welling in his eyes.

"You guys should feel this," Louis said inviting Harvey to feel his fiancee's belly.

"No, that's private...besides Sheila wouldn't want a strange man's hand on her belly..."

"No, Harvey. Louis thinks it's ok and I trust Louis. So come on," Sheila took Harvey's hand and placed it on her round belly as they waited for the baby to move again.

Donna did not know what to think of this whole situation but she knew that Harvey would be uncomfortable. Just beginning to feel his way through his emotions and learning that it was human to feel, Donna knew that the request would put him in an awkward position. Suddenly, though, Harvey smiled. Not his fantastic Specter smile but a little one that found something touching because it coincided with tears welling in his large deep brown eyes. Donna could feel the sting of tears welling up in her own eyes as she watched the expression on Harvey's face.

"That's so wonderful, Sheila...Louis. Excuse us we have to go mingle now," Harvey said as he backed away acknowledging the emotion of the situation. He turned then and tucking Donna's hand in his elbow walked away to another part of the roof.

Donna smiled. They stopped at the spot on the roof where they were previously. This time the moon was shining so brightly that both of then could be seen plain as day. Harvey held Donna's hand as they stood there looking at the moonlight.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No."

"Harvey. You smiled when you felt their baby move. It's ok. I won't tell anybody that the big Harvey Specter is a big sentimental softie," she softly teased tucking herself under his arm and putting her head on his shoulder and caressing him with her other hand.

"It was something profound, Donna. I never thought about it that way before, but having that type of experience is profound. That's a life. A life they created by their love," Harvey continued unusually eloquent.

"What are you saying, Harvey?" Donna said wondering if he was going to broach the subject of children already. They had only been together about a month. She examined his face and his expressive eyes for a few minutes while they stood together stopped in their tracks.

Harvey then swallowed hard and placed his head on top of hers. "I'm not sure, Donna. Not yet," he said quietly.

Donna smiled and placed her hand on his bristled cheek. "It's ok." Then she kissed him to let him know that he need not say anything right now unless he wanted to.

Later in the evening still, Harvey left Donna in the hands of the new associate she had hired in place of Brian. Donna had reminded him to go to his office and get the file he needed for court on Monday.

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While he was on his way, he caught sight of a woman dressed in white from head to toe standing in front of a window facing the moonlit sky, drinking a scotch, and wiping a tear away. He ventured into Samantha's office on way to his own.

"Samantha, I know that losing Robert has been tough on you..." Harvey said.

"Harvey. I thought you and Donna would be tripping the light fantastic by now,"

"Samantha..."

"No, it's ok, Harvey. I know why he did it and I know for Robert it seemed the right thing to do. I just miss him. He's been gone a month and I haven't talked to him. It seems he left for Seattle two days after the hearing."

"Yes, I know. Rachel called Donna. She wasn't too pleased with her father's disbarment."

"I wouldn't think she would be. He had told me that she had always wanted to be a lawyer like him. I know she is now with her husband who just happened to be your protege. You guys really are a tight family," Samantha said throwing back the last of her scotch.

"Samantha," Harvey began taking two more steps forward into her office. "You're part of our family now, Samantha. I wanted you to know that. So if you need anything we're all here for you."

Samantha turned from the window and saluted Harvey with her drink.

"Sure. I am. That's easy to say now that you and Donna got your shit together. Oh...I'm happy for you, but why did it have to take a disbarment for you to realize that Donna was on her way out of here with Thomas?"

"Samantha, you will be fine. You're a goddamn name partner! You fought for it and fought anybody for it. You don't need him anymore. We are here for you if you should need us. You need to know that," Harvey said.

Samantha had taken a seat on her couch and nodded. "Thanks, Harvey. I do know that. It's just hard for me to adjust. I feel like he abandoned me on the doorstep of an orphan home."

Harvey unbuttoned his jacket and took a seat on the cushioned chair across from Samantha. Harvey had known this pain; however, he felt inept to tell her that one day she would be able to go on without thinking she needed Robert's approbation. Just like he did when he finally realized that he no longer needed Jessica's final word on what he thought or felt. Besides Donna had always been his moral compass. He wished Samantha could find someone like that.

"Did you see whom your girlfriend hooked me up with?" Samantha asked.

"You do mean clientwise right?" Harvey said but thinking: What are doing playing matchmaker, Donna?

"Of course, why would she do otherwise?" Samantha gave Harvey a quzzical look.

"Of course. I just think that when Donna was matching lawyers with clients she got her priorities mixed and started matchmaking."

"She hasn't. I'm pretty sure." Samantha poured herself a drink and offered one silently to Harvey who declined.

"She gave me Mrs. Theresa Santemeyer. She apparently has a very large trucking company that she handles through FFNY. I met her and the woman is very ambitious. We should get along famously."

She sat back down on the couch and asked, "So, who did Donna give you as a client?"

"The entire bank is my client. I'm the guy who closed the merger, remember?"

"Of course...only the greatest closer Manhattan as ever seen...was the way you were first mentioned to me. Personally I think you're full of shit," Samantha challenged.

"Well, you may be right, but that's a discussion for another time. Why don't you stop drinking that crap and come back to the party. I will even let you dance with me," Harvey invited trying to get a rise out of her.

"That's ok. I think I can get my own partners should I feel the need. Thank you, anyway," Samantha said. Again she raised her glass as she watched Harvey rise, "Salud!" Samantha uttered and then gulped it back.

"I need to go to my office right now, but if you need anything give me a call or Donna a call. Got it?"

"Got it. Goodnight, Harvey."

"Goodnight, Samantha."

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When he finally arrived at his office, he had a surprise waiting for him. He took two steps in and there was Donna dressed in her long blue gown sitting on the couch. She had kicked her skyhigh strappy shoes off and had her feet curled beneath her.

"Donna! How did you get in my office before I did? Why didn't I see you?" Harvey wondered as he came over to the couch and sat next to her.

"I decided I had enough corporate talk and familiarizing the new guy with who was who, so I came in search of you. I saw you in conversation with Samantha and didn't want to interrupt. Besides I cut through the bullpen to your office. You know that was always the way when we wanted to avoid each other," Donna explained patting the empty space of couch inviting him there.

"Ah...the bullpen. So you didn't trust me to find my own file? You know the assistant you hired for me is excellent, and she saw no reason to undo your file system; so I would have found my own file," Harvey said inching closer to Donna. He could smell her clean scent and the faint strawberry shampoo scent of her hair. God, I love strawberries, to smell, to eat..." Harvey had maneuvered Donna into a deep kiss. He lay her down on his couch as she took his face in her hands. They tasted each other and they combination of liquor they had drank plus the small amount of food consumed.

Donna suddenly stopped kissing him. "Oysters, Harvey. You had oysters, didn't you?"

"So what if I did? You know what they call oysters, don't you?"

"The aphrodisiac if you want to get pregnant. Do you want me to get pregnant, Harvey?"

He looked deep into her eyes and he said, "I really don't care if you get pregnant now or a year from now. All I know is I don't want anything to keep my body from being with yours..."

They deeply kissed again as they undressed each other in the dark enclosed quiet of Harvey's office. They made love for two hours and no one at all disturbed them. Not even the cleaning crew that was due in the late, late hours of the night.