Before this chapter starts, I just want to thank everyone who has commented on the intro chapter (and to my friend hope who has helped me with this story / convinced me to write). In addition, Donna's older sister in this story, will be written with the image of Kate Walsh in my mind. I also just left her character's name to be Kate. Anyways, I hope you guys enjoy this following chapter!
…
Parent Pursuit
II.
Emma Specter glanced around the bright room, comfortably sitting on the white sofa. Donna was in the kitchen fixing both of them a cup of coffee. She had familiarized herself with the apartment last night. She couldn't sleep, so she got up, knowing Donna was asleep. Emma noted the art pieces that were originals, some being Lily's, the cactuses that scattered here and there, and the framed photos that held memories. Emma marveled at the minimalistic taste Donna had in the apartment. It was feminine, but also bold.
As she wandered the apartment last night, the very thing that caught her attention was a picture. It was of Donna, wearing a white button down that was far too small for her. She was holding her baby bump, her hair toussled, and a smile that reached her eyes. When Emma picked up the framed photo a small detail caught her eye. The small H.S. monogrammed on the cuff of the sleeve.
"So, who's Liam?" Donna says as she approached Emmett with a coffee in hand, her eyebrows quirking up as Emma takes a sip. She tastes a hint of vanilla, the same exact coffee her dad makes to a T.
"A boy I met during the trip," Emma lied hoping that Donna would just leave it at that.
"Okay..." Donna paused, contemplating whether or not to continue the girl talk with her daughter. She has prepared her whole life to give advice about boys, but she had a feeling that Emma did not want to discuss it at that moment. With that, Donna just smiled, watching her daughter finish the coffee she had made.
"What are the plans today, mom?" Emma asks. For someone who hasn't had a mother figure her whole life, she had gotten used to saying the word mom in the last 24 hours.
"How about you come join me at the store today?" Donna says, having missed Emma having around. She got up from the couch to put the cups of coffee on the counter.
"I'd like that."
—
Donna had become a handbag designer, something right up her alley. She loved being creative in business and she also really, really loved handbags. Harvey used to tell her that her bags used to have more room than himself in the house. He wasn't wrong, though he was the one who bought her the majority of those bags.
So, she worked her ass off, learning how to become a designer, and almost sixteen years later, she's the proud owner of LE Paulsen. Many thought that it meant the Paulsen, with the "the" being in French, to make it more exotic— unique. Donna was the only one who knew the real meaning behind the name. LE stood for Lily and Emma.
"You're an amazing designer, mom." Emma says as she watches Donna work on her desk.
"Thank you, kiddo," Donna looks up from her work, and sees Emma looking out the window, a look that both looked happy and somber. "Hey, what's wrong?"
Emma stepped back from the window to look at her mom. Donna looked at her with concern but that quickly faded away when Emma approached her, catching her off guard as Emma wrapped her arms around Donna.
Donna closes her eyes, her hand stroking her daughter's hair.
"Hey you... why are you extra clingy today?" Donna chuckles, still enveloped in Emma's embrace. Emma quickly wiped the tears that were threatening to fall, before she lets go of the hug.
"Nothing, I just... really miss you." Emma says, with her Lily façade slightly disappearing. She really did miss Donna, sixteen years without her awesome mother was sixteen years too many. Now that she has her in her life, she is determined to keep her in her life.
Before Donna could respond, their heads turned to the door. A petite woman with the same fiery locks Emma and Donna had. Rummaging through her mind, she remembers Lily telling her about their aunt. Kate Paulsen. She was the COO of the company. She kinda looks like the actress that plays Addison on Grey's Anatomy Emma thinks.
"My favorite niece!" She chirps, approaching Emma with a hug. "Did you get taller?" Kate pulls back to look at Emma.
"That's exactly what I thought the other day." Donna smiles, getting up from her chair and hugging her sister. Emma watches the two women interact.
"What can I say? She takes after me." Kate smirks.
"You're only an inch taller than me," Donna says, rolling her eyes.
"You're right, maybe she takes after—" Donna shoots Kate a warning look before she had the chance to finish her sentence. "Anyway, I have some news." Kate finishes.
Emma sits down on the couch and fishes out her phone, she was scrolling through social media, waiting for her aunt and mother finish talking.
"What's the news?" Donna asks, as she rounds her desk and sits back down. Kate sits across Donna, with a smile on her face.
"So, there's a potential location for a pop up shop that could guarantee more exposure and success for LE Paulsen." Kate says, Donna eyes her, not missing the way her sister glances down at the word location.
"No. Find a different location." Donna deadpanned.
"You don't even know what I was gonna say," Kate says. Donna gives her a look. "Okay. Fine. You're Donna, you know. But this is for the sake of the company, Don."
Donna lowers her voice, "Kate, we're doing just fine. I think we could manage a different location. You and I both know I'm never gonna step foot in New York ever again."
It was the mention of New York that caught Emma's attention.
"New York?" Emma says, suddenly getting up, "We should go." Emma stood next to Kate now. Shit. Donna thinks. Kate looks at her sister and niece. Donna glances at Emma and then Kate, her face changing in annoyance towards Kate's direction.
"Come on, mom. I've never been," Emma explains, remembering how Lily had mentioned that she has never been to New York, but badly wanted to go.
"Unless something is keeping us from going there." Emma added, making sure she's on the line, but not quite crossing it.
Kate coughed, Donna kicking her under the desk. Kate laughed, but then feigned another cough when Donna glared at her.
"I don't know, sweetie." Donna sighs, she glances back at her sister and daughter, both giving her a look of please. Donna sighed, defeated, "Fine."
Emma and Kate high fived. Emma excused herself to the bathroom while she dialed a number on her phone.
"Lily?" Emma slightly yelled, not being able to contain her excitement.
"What? Are you okay? How is it going?" Lily asked, unsure of what could possibly have her sister riled up.
"The reunion might happen sooner than we think." There was a pause on the other side of the line. Then a deep breath.
"What are you talking about?"
"LE Paulsen is having a pop up shop in New York." Emma could practically hear her sister get up from her bed.
"Oh my god." Lily says, her mouth forming a smile.
—
Back in Donna's office, Kate watches her sister pace back and forth, a nervous habit she has formed throughout the years.
"It's a big city Donna, with millions of people. There's no way you'll run into Harvey." Kate assures Donna.
"It's not that, Kate. It's the twins. What if fate is so fucked up that they accidentally run into eachother?" Donna says, her arms flailing around to accentuate her point.
"Donna, calm down. If fate was that fucked up, they would have met by now. Besides, like I said, there's no way they'll run into eachother with the millions and millions of strangers walking around New York."
"You're right. I'm just overthinking." Donna stopped, breathing calmly, and collecting herself.
"Get your big girl pants on because we leave in two days." Kate stands up from her seat, and walked towards the door. Before she walks out, she looks back at Donna, "Besides, if you happen to run into Harvey Specter, you look still look hot."
Donna turns to look at Kate.
"Shut up," She chuckles though she felt anxious on the inside. Kate closes the door, leaving Donna with her thoughts consuming her.
There was a part of her that was nervous to see Harvey Specter.
—
"Babe!" A joyous voice cuts through Harvey's office. It was Paula, holding a container of take out in her hand. Glancing at the clock, Harvey realizes that he had missed a chance to grab a bagel for lunch.
"Hey," Harvey says, standing up to greet his girlfriend.
"You're awfully cheery today." Harvey says, trying his hardest not to sound uninterested. He was tired, he'll give himself that as an excuse to not want to interact with his girlfriend. He was in the middle of a case, and he was close to cracking it.
"Are you off this weekend?" Paula asks as she pecks Harvey on the lips. Harvey puts his hands around her waist.
"Why?" Harvey asks. The blonde looked up at him, her smile spreading.
"I was thinking, maybe we could visit the pop up shop my favorite designer is having here in New York."
"I don't know Paula, Emma just got home and I'd like to spend time with h—" Paula stops him with a kiss.
"Let's take her with us. A family outing. Doesn't she like to shop?"
Family outing. Harvey tried to refrain from rolling his eyes. Sure they had been dating for months now, but it wasn't enough for her to start claiming that they were a family. He loved Paula, he truly did, though there were times he questioned it. He quickly shakes the thought of reluctance in his head.
"Okay." Harvey agreed, not wanting to argue anymore. He kisses Paula.
—
"I don't understand what he sees in her." Lily says as she leans against the secretary's desk that was across her father's glass office. She has just witnessed the interaction between her father and his girlfriend that made her cringe.
"I don't know either, kid." Mike says. Paula was nice, but that's all she was to him. Nice. Kinda snobbish though Mike chooses to overlook that attribute for Harvey's sake. His friend was finally, once again, happy.
"Was he like that when he was with mom?" Lily looks up at Mike, who gave her a tender look. Lily hoped that Mike would say something.
"Happier. Your mother was his everything kid." Mike smiled, looking down on the floor.
"She was?" Lily asked innocently. She could guess that was the truth.
"Oh yeah. Your dad was whipped for your mother. She was the only one that got through his stone, cold heart."
Lily smiled at the comment, not once doubting what her Uncle Mike had revealed. Of course she was the only one who was able to do that. Her mother had that kind of charm of people. When she made friends, they remained her friends.
"What are you two girls gossiping about?" Harvey asks, with Paula on his arms.
"Nothing." Mike answers. Lily just have her father her best fake innocent expression.
"Oh Em, I have something to tell you," Before Harvey could continue, he was interrupted with a ring from his phone. "Shit, I have to take this. Mike let's go, it's our client."
He gives Paula a quick kiss, "Can you.." Harvey murmers. Paula nods. Harvey steps back from Paula and gives Lily a quick kiss on her head. He walks away with Mike, leaving Lily and Paula alone in front of his office.
Paula stands awkwardly as she stood across Lily.
"So Emma, your dad and I were thinking of an outing this weekend. Just you, me, and him." Paula smiles.
Great. Lily thinks.
"Sure, where to?" Lily asks sweetly.
"The pop up shop for LE Paulsen, your dad mentioned you liked to shop, so I thought we'd bring you along." Paula states.
LE Paulsen. Perfect, Lily thinks. Lily was ready to steer the outing towards that direction, whatever it took, but it turns out she didn't need to. Lily agrees and with that, Paula left the firm.
Lily smiles to herself, their plan was working out easier than she thought.
See you in two days. She sends to Emma.
—
Donna steps back, sea of strangers passing by her quickly. She was overwhelmed with the amount of people that arrived at the pop up shop. The places they rented was of average size, they had decorated the place to her liking, with pieces from her current and old collections on display. They were like pieces of art. Emma had decided to follow her aunt around the store, leaving Donna alone just roaming around.
She was dressed to the nines on this special day. She was wearing a floor length, dark blue silk dress, one that accentuated her curves. It had long sleeves and a deep v that was dangerously close to exposing her. She wore red lips that matched the red locks that flowed in loose curls.
She accessorized modestly, with a couple of rings on her fingers, and diamond earrings. Many men have already hit on her, some women as well. She just kept sipping the champagne in her hand, grateful that Kate had insisted on allowing alcohol during the launch.
Many people had approached her to congratulate her work, and it made her swell with the feeling of happiness. She had witnessed elites of New York entering her shop, to regular people, to tourists who were determined to take one of her bags home as a gift. She knew that her brand had excelled every year, but this year was different, with the increasing support she has continously earned.
Donna was well deep into her thoughts of gratitude when she didn't hear the british voice coming from a shorter woman that talked to her.
"Ms. Paulsen." The blonde said, she had her hair swept back in a bun, and was wearing a black dress.
"Hello," Donna smiled, shaking the hand the blonde had offered.
"I'm Paula. I'm a big fan of your work." Paula smiles, and Donna could only return the same.
"Why, thank you." Donna responds.
"My boyfriend is here with me, I'd like you to meet him actually, and please explain to him the importance of handbags and why they aren't a waste of closet space." Paula laughs, and Donna chuckles along with her.
"Don't I know it, men just don't get it." Donna offers another warm smile.
"I'll be right back." Paula says, as she weaves her way into the crowd. She spots Harvey and Lily looking at the details of a tan handbag.
"Babe, I'd like for you to meet the owner. I just talked to her." Paula says, grabbing Harvey's hand ready to lead him away.
Lily looked at the situation unfold in front of her. She fishes out her phone from her purse to text Emma.
Paula already talked to mom. What do we do?
There was far too many people in the space for Lily to search for Emma. She hadn't heard Harvey say he'd be "right back" when she was on her phone. Before she knows it, Harvey and Paula were gone. Lily decided to search for Emma instead.
While Paula searches for Donna with her eyes, Harvey just stands next to Paula, ready to fake a conversation with the owner of LE Paulsen. When he heard of the name, he had let his mind roam to the name and thought of Donna. He thinks about how this would be the exact environment that would excite Donna, then again he doesn't know if she still liked the same things she did when they were married.
Harvey busies himself with a glass of champagne that a server had offered him. He could still feel the firm grip of Paula, still searching for the mysterious owner.
Harvey looked around the room, just glancing at the decorations, the fairy lights, the renaissance-esque feeling of the room.
He spots the blazing hair color from a distance,that contrasted with the blue silk of the dress. There were multiple times where he has mistakenly identified a redhead as Donna. For some reason, this felt different. The woman who was facing her bad towards him looked familiar. She had the same sillohuette of the woman who used to wear his button downs, the same sillohuette of the woman that used to get up naked from his bed, convincing him that he had to go to work.
Harvey kept his eyes trained on the mysterious woman. It didn't help that the name of this place was LE Paulsen. It wasn't possible though, his Donna wouldn't be in New York. He had remembered the day she had cursed the city for consuming him.
"Harvey?" Harvey hears Paula, but isn't sure how to respond.
"I'm sorry, what did you say?"
"I said, we'll meet her later. I think she'll be making a speech soon anyway."
Harvey's response was drowned with the microphone being tapped from a distance. The chattering stopped and everyone faced towards the glass podium that faced the rest of the room.
Harvey focused the same direction where everyone elese was facing.
"Everyone, please welcome the CEO of LE Paulsen on the stage."
Everyone clapped. Harvey's heart stopped.
—
Flashbacks of Donna walking down the aisle consumed the mind of Harvey, as he stares at the very same woman who was walking up the podium. She still had the glow she had decades ago when they first met, when they entered a relationship, and when they got married.
The lights around the room has slightly dimmed and the glow of the light had followed her. She had always wanted to be a star, with everyone focused on her. This is as close as she could get, with no regrets holding her back.
The white dress Harvey had pictured in his head had dissolved to the dark blue dress Donna was now wearing in front of the crowd. The crowd he was a member of. He couldn't gather his thoughts.
"Hello everybody, I'm Donna Paulsen, the proud owner of LE Paulsen. I would like to thank everyone who has decided to support the newest collection of bags that I designed..."
The rest of her words were being drowned with his heart beating. Harvey had to make sure he wasn't having a panic attack right there and then.
—
From a distance, Emma and Lily stood in a corner where they weren't out in the open. They practically saw the way their dad's jaw dropped as Donna approached the microphone.
Emma and Lily held hands, their other hand crossing their fingers for good luck.
—
Donna was focused on the crowd, her eyes scanning the room, never directly staring at one person or a group. It was when she looked farther towards the right where she spots him. His arm holding onto the same woman that talked to her almost ten minutes ago.
He sees him look up at her, with genuine surprise. Those two moles above his eyebrows were a clear indicator that it was him.
Brown eyes met brown eyes, taking the 25 years worth of memories locked away, to be spilled out in the open.
…
Sooo, Harvey and Donna finally caught a glimpse of eachother. Next chapter will be out soon!