Thank you to anyone who has liked, bookmarked or reviewed this story! I apologize for any grammatical errors that may be in this chapter.
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Parent Pursuit
IV.
When Donna returned to the LE Paulsen store, the twins greeted and asked if she was okay. She had wiped an unexpected tear that fell from her eyes after finally talking to Harvey. She didn't know that he still had that kind of effect on her and she hated herself for it. She had promised herself that she would not let Harvey Specter get in the way of her moving on. But now she's here, hugging her daughters, and wondering what the hell went wrong.
He had moved on. So had she, but a little part of her is still somewhat stuck on Harvey. Donna seeing him with a different woman, he was about to start a life with, hurt, because all this time, it should have been her. She'd moved on, she went on dates, had a couple one night stands, had a few boyfriends that lasted for a couple of months, but never one she could truly see herself with to start over.
She pulled the twins in tighter, the two indicators that she and Harvey were once connected, the product of their love. They were the only trace of Harvey she wasn't going to let go. Part of Donna wanted to see Harvey walk into those doors and walk over to her. He did walk in, though his direction was towards Paula. The other part of Donna wanted no acquaintance with Harvey. There was too much history, too fragile to handle.
-
New York
1999
A few months after Harvey and Donna started Dating.
There was a time where they almost broke up. Words were said, things were thrown.
"I just don't understand why you can't just open that fucking heart of yours." Donna had cried.
It was the point of their relationship where Donna felt as if Harvey was still Harvey, one that was not ready for a relationship and wasn't ready for a commitment. She still felt like she was only good as his best friend and nothing more.
"I don't know what you want me to do, Donna." Harvey said, sitting across from Donna, who was on the couch, her arms hugging her knees.
"For starters, you could at least start acting like I'm your girlfriend," Donna says weakly, wiping away her tears, "you've been treating it as if it's just a title, Harvey."
It's not that Harvey was trying to be a bad boyfriend, he just genuinely didn't know how to act, especially towards Donna. He was never one to commit in a relationship, let alone share his feelings with someone. That's what the difference was with Donna, she was a built in best friend lover all at once. She knew him, he was convinced she knew him more than himself. He didn't want to ruin anything, because if he loses Donna, he loses his everything
It occurred to Harvey that he had said these things out loud when Donna holds her head up and asks him to repeat what he said.
"I don't wanna lose you." Harvey says, "I don't wanna fuck this up, Donna."
He stands up and walks over to Donna, he holds her hands in his.
"You're the most important person in my life," He chuckles, although there were unshed tears visible in his eyes, "I don't wanna be the idiot who let you go."
"Then don't be." Donna responds, inching closer, closing the gap and giving Harvey Specter an exhilarating kiss.
-
The twins had decided that it was best for them to switch back and explain the rest during their family lunch the next day. Now, Emma Specter stands in the living room, eyes wandering around the room, with Paula and Harvey trailing behind her.
She's lived in the place for sixteen years, so she notices details. There were a few things that changed in the last three weeks she's been gone for art school. There were now some women's magazine scattered around the coffee table. There were a few women's jacket that accompanied her dad's next to the door. There was a book for psychology that made its way in the bookshelf. The detail she disliked the most were the set of keys Paula had set down, including a key for their home.
It didn't take that much to know what was happening.
Paula Agard has moved in.
Emma texted her twin and asked why Lily hadn't mentioned the fact that the woman has moved in, because all the clues were there. Lily claimed that Paula hadn't slept there once since she came, and that she thought all the items were somehow Emma's. Emma texted Lily that she was an idiot.
"What's going on here?" Emma finally had the courage to ask, Harvey didn't need to ask any further questions as to what Emma was referring to.
"Em..." Harvey says, now standing in front of Emma who sat down on the couch. Paula was holding Harvey's arm, he could feel her uneassiness.
The trait that Emma has gained from Donna that Harvey doesn't fail to notice, was her intellect. Emma just knew things well before they happen. Harvey had a feeling that if he said the wrong thing, his daughter won't forgive him.
"I'm guessing you know that Paula and I are getting married." Harvey says. Emma nods with an unamused look on her face. In contrast, Paula had a confused look on her face, wondering when and how Emma would have known.
There was an unspoken bond between the two of them. Harvey and Emma had been a father daughter duo for sixteen years. Harvey had never taken any girls home, let alone ask them to marry him in those years. It had always been just the two of them, a father and daughter living in the city. Harvey understood that it was new territory to have Paula be a part of their lives.
Emma understood that too, of course. She understood that her father was bound to find a new woman to start his life over with, though Emma never considered any woman to be enough for Harvey. Now that she has reconnected with her mother, she knew that Donna was still the one despite all the circumstances that surrounded their marriage, and she was not about to let Paula get in the way of that.
"I know about Lily." Emma breathed, not caring in the world wether or not the confrontation was goinf to happen in private, or with her soon to be step mother.
"Lily? Your grandmother?" Paula suddenly spoke, staring intently at Emma.
"You know, for someone who's a therapist, you really don't know your patient that well." Emma scoffs.
"Emma!" Harvey warns, feeling Paula's hand tighten over his arm.
Emma Specter wasn't one who snapped at people, or let alone be rude to them. She didn't go that low, unless she felt it necessary. She was outspoken and stubborn, two traits that she has gained from Harvey. She stands up, tears clearly visible in her eyes.
"Good night, Dad. Let's hope you guys tell me when the date of the wedding is before I find out from someone else." Emma says sarcastically, going into her bedroom.
-
Donna and Lily lay in bed together, staring at the ceiling. Kate was in the adjacent room, peacefully sleeping. Lily shifts in the bed, laying on her side, facing Donna. Donna does the same.
"Are you mad?" Donna asks, stroking her daughter's red hair. She still couldn't believe that all in that short time her daughter had been home, it had been Emma.
"No, mom, I'm not mad," Lily says sincerely, "I just hope that things between you and Dad will be okay. Emma and I need eachother."
Donna gives her daughter an apologetic smile. She was glad that her daughters were taking the news of their knowledge of the other, quite well. Donna was ready for either twins to be angry at both her and Harvey. But now, they were planning to have lunch together as a family or on technical terms, the twins and their separate parents.
"How was dad like when you were together?" Lily asks, wanting to get a glimpse of the past.
"Well, during the early months of my pregnancy, he was very protective of you two. Well one of you, until we found out that there were two Paulsen Specters in my stomach.
-
2002
Harvey had had a long day in his office, sorting out paper work, trying to prepare for a trial, thinking about how to expand the apartment once Donna gives birth. He had missed lunch that day because his mind had wandered off to work. He smiles every time he remembers that he will have a little girl or boy running around in their home soon.
Harvey's nose was buried in a folder when he heard a familiar sound of someone clearing their throat.
It was Donna, wearing one of her tight dresses, because she insists on wearing them until she's too big to wear them. She was holding a plastic bag with to go containers. Harvey gets a whiff of the smell and immediately knew it was from the "shitty thai place" he and Donna both know he secretly love.
"What are you doing here?" Harvey asks, getting up from his seat and greeting her.
"What? A woman can't visit her husband during work?" Donna responds, with a smile on her face as Harvey gives her a peck. They both settle for the sofa.
"You're supposed to be resting you know." Harvey replied, watching Donna carefully grab each to go containers and setting them on the table. Donna rolls her eyes.
"I'm pregnant, Harvey. I'm not dying." Donna chuckles.
"I just don't want you or the little one," Harvey paused to put a hand over Donna's barely there bump, "to get hurt."
"Yet you're so eager to have sex still knowing that I'm pregnant." Donna practically whispers. She saw the blood drain from Harvey's face and she had to stop herself from laughing.
"Does...Does sex hurt the baby?" Harvey asks, wide eyed.
Donna couldn't help but to kiss Harvey. "No, Harvey, it doesn't." She smiles and so does he, a look of relief taking over his once worried look.
They spent the rest of the afternoon eating the food Donna had brought, not knowing that in a few months, there would be less and less of those.
-
Lily was practically tearing up laughing from the short story as was Donna. The two giggled in the dark reminiscing about the past. Donna had told Lily how they had met and how he was so eager to hit on Donna and how they ended up being best friends instead. Donna talked about the roadtrips she and Harvey would go on back in the day, back when kids actually enjoyed being outside.
Donna talked about once incident where Donna and Harvey pretended to be boyfriend and girlfriend in order to let one girl get away from Harvey. That whole fiasco made its way around the school, which caused a betting pool as to when Harvey and Donna would get married. Not break up, but marry. It was to their school's disappointment when they had revealed it was all just a joke.
Donna also told the story of how Harvey taught Donna how to play baseball, one time. Donna had swung the bat and accidentally hit Harvey right on the eye, thankful that it was just a plastic bat for a test run. It had earned him a black eye, which genuinely concerned Donna, but Harvey said that it was okay. They had a good laugh about it after. That was the first and only time Donna played baseball, because Harvey thought that it was better for her to stay in drama class and not a sport.
There was also a time where he had surprised her on her birthday, in 1995. He had surprised her tickets to a broadway show that he was eager to watch with her. She knew all the songs, he didn't, but he loved watching Donna smile as she watches the actors on stage. He watched her more than he watched the show itself. "You'll be on that stage on day." Harvey had told her. That was one of the most unforgettable parts of her birthday.
Lily listened earnestly as her mom told stories from her past. Lily loved the stories when Harvey and Donna were a couple, but she even loved the stories when they were only best friends. Through Donna's stories, Lily was able to see the start of her parents' love, and she wonders if it ever stopped at all.
"Do you still love him, mom?" Lily asks, hugging her pillow. She could hear Donna thinking. Lily yawns.
"I think I love the idea of him," Donna says, "but I think the love already ran out."
"But don't you believe in second chances?" Lily questioned.
"With the right person, yes," Donna responds, her voice faltering at the very same response Harvey once gave her all those years ago, "I think your dad has found that second chance."
It took Donna all her might to convince herself that what she had said was true.
-
Harvey Specter was nervous. He had to remind himself that this was a lunch, not a date, especially if the twins are there, and the fact that he was engaged. He felt awful not being able to tell Paula about the situation, though he felt that in no time she'll get to know soon. He had told her that he and Emma were going out for a dad and daughter day. He wore a simple button down and jeans.
"Em! Are you ready?" Harvey asked, as he grabbed his glasses from the kitchen counter. He was too lazy to put on contacts.
"I'm ready," Emma says, stepping out of her bedroom and walking over to her dad, "About last night."
"It's okay, kid." Harvey says, rounding over the counter and pulling Lily in for a hug.
"I still don't like her." Emma laughs.
"At least try? For me?" Harvey responds.
"Okay." Emma lies.
Emma was convinced that in no time, Harvey and Donna will once again be together.
-
Donna had picked out the designated place for the lunch. It was a small cafe that served some good food and good drinks. Emma and Harvey were early and decided to sit outside. When Donna and Lily arrived, the twins immediately greeted each other, leaving the two adults awkwardly standing. Harvey was captivated with Donna. She wore a black turtle neck, with a tan long coat over it, paired with jeans and louboutins. She was wearing less make up in comparison to yesterday and Harvey admired how beautiful she still looked.
Her smile lines were more prominent, signifying that there was indeed time that had passed, nonetheless she was still the same Donna.
"Hi."
"Hey." Harvey extends a hand and they both settle for a handshake, still feeling a tad of electricity going through it.
The twins had to keep themselves from pointing out their awkward gesture. They all sat down in their seats, with Harvey and Donna across the other.
"So. Where do we begin?"
To say that the lunch was awkward was somewhat of an understatement, though it quickly turned into old friends catching up. The lunch started out with the twins and the story of how they conducted a plan of switching places. They also talked about how the polaroids they had of their parents had sealed the deal.
It then turned into Harvey and Donna explaining to the twins about the situation and how it came to be. They talked about the divorce, though not disclosing all of the exact reasons why, in order to keep the twins from hurting. They had been adamant on telling the girls that they were not the reason why and they regret nothing.
Except maybe letting each other go, but they weren't ready to admit that just yet.
Then it came down to the future arrangements, that both Donna and Harvey felt that they should talk about it more. They never had to make plans about who gets to visit the other during the holidays, or how often that should be. Donna had also revealed that they would be staying for a month due to the success of LE Paulsen, which the twins were so eager to get on board with.
More time in New York meant more opportunities to get their parents together. Between talks, Harvey found himself staring at Donna.
Now here they were, happily eating their food, glad that a conversation actually happened. They were glad that there was progress. They had no time skirting around the subject because sixteen years had been too long of a time. The twins had excused themselves to the restroom.
Harvey and Donna both sat quietly, the awkwardness once taking over the atmosphere.
"So, how long have you and Paula been together?" Donna asks, mentally kicking herself for asking such a question.
"A few months." Harvey responds shyly. Donna quirks her eyebrows at his answer.
"I never pegged you as a few months, get married type of guy." Donna says, a hint of spite laced in her tone.
"Things change." Harvey says, playing with his fork and looking down on his plate. They make eye contact once again.
"I guess they do."
The waitress had passed by their table and dropping their check, Donna and Harvey both grabbing it at the same time.
"I got it." Harvey says, inserting his card with the receipt.
"You two make a beautiful couple." The waitress smiles.
"Oh... we're no–" Donna quickly responds, the waitress slowly regretting making a comment. Harvey just smiles.
"I'll be right back with your card. I'm sorry." The waitress excuses herself.
The twins watched as the waitress rushed away from their table and decided to stand back for a little bit and watch Donna and Harvey interact.
"I'm starting to think we'll need backup." Emma nudged her sister.
"What do you mean?"
"To further hurry the process of getting those two back together."
"Who's gonna help us?" Lily asks, liking the idea of her sister.
"Auntie Kate and Uncle Marcus. Those two practically grew up with them."
"I like the way you think Paulsen-Specter."
One facetime call and five minutes later, the twins were back at their seat. Harvey and Donna still managed to keep their conversation to a minimum.
"I have to head to a business meeting," Donna says, standing up.
That's when Harvey gets a call from Marcus. Apologizing, he took the call and answered.
"Sorry about that," Harvey apologized. "Marcus was wondering if you'd like to join us at a bar later, he's been wanting to see you."
Donna hesitates, while the twins were crossing their fingers behind their backs, hoping and praying that Donna would say yes. Donna sighs.
"I'd love to." Hell, she deserved a drink for getting through these last few days.
"Good, I'll see you later," Harvey says, taking two steps towards Donna. He awkwardly pulls her in for a hug, Donna taken aback by his action. She still fit in his arms perfectly. Donna's hands were still by her side but then one arm patted Harvey's back. They pulled apart, with Donna's cheeks redenning.
The twins silently thanked their Uncle Marcus for helping them out.
-
Harvey Specter entered the bar with an uncomfortable Paula by his side. He spots Marcus towards the front, where there were people who sung karaoke. Harvey doesn't miss Marcus' face when he saw Paula.
"Paula's here." Marcus replied a little too nicely. (A/N Marcus Specter in this story will be played by Jensen Ackles, because I think he and Gabriel Macht would make great siblings.)
"Hi Marcus." Paula says, the blonde smiling, unaware of Marcus' fake tone.
Marcus greets Paula back, only giving her a smile. Marcus then gives the older Specter a hug. During that hug, Harvey heard Marcus whistle. Harvey turns to look towards Marcus direction and spots Donna- clad in a red, silk tanktop and jeans, her hair in perfect waves. Harvey had to keep himself togsther. She was with Kate. Kate spots the brothers and headed towards them. Paula and Harvey grabbed a seat while Marcus stayed standing.
"Donna!" Marcus practically yells over the loud music, the different hues of light dancing around their skin.
"Marcus! It's great to see you, little brother." Donna smiles, ever since she and Harvey were children, Donna saw him as her little brother. He was also the biggest Donna and Harvey fan.
Back at their seats, Paula watches the whole scene unfold and glances over Harvey.
"You didn't tell me you had a history with the owner of LE Paulsen."
Harvey looks back at Paula who had a frown plastered on her face.
"Yeah..." Harvey coughs, "She's an old friend."
Harvey watches his brother, Donna and Kate interact. He squeezed Paula's hand reassuring her that that's all there was too it. He wasn't ready to break the news just yet.
"Kate, still hot looking, I see." Marcus teased.
"Marcus, still trying to hit on me, I see." Kate says, patting Marcus' cheek with the same hand her ring was on to give him a hint.
Ever since Donna and Harvey introduced their families with one another, there was an ongoing joke that Marcus was in love with Kate. Of course now, they were both married but the playful banter of good friends were still there. Besides, they were both helping out their nieces. Kate had been the one to catch Marcus up with the details. Marcus had been eager to be a part of the plan.
Donna, Kate, and Marcus sat down with Harvey and Paula. To see Paula was quite a surprise to Donna but, she should have expected it. There was an uncomfortable exchange of smiles between them.
Thr drinks came, there was catching up between Donna and Marcus. Donna was happy for Marcus when she found out that he was happily married with kids. He promised that she's meet them soon.
In between drinks, Paula finally decided to speak.
"So, how long have you and Harvey known each other?" Paula asks. Donna looks at Harvey.
"Twenty years?"
"Twenty five." Harvey says, taking a sip of whiskey.
"Those two were inseparable." Marcus yells over the loud music surrounding them. Kate nods. Marcus and Kate then excused themselves to get more drinks and making a very special request to the DJ in charge of the karaoke.
"Why didn't you mention that during LE Paulsen, babe?" Paula asks with a hint of unpleasantness in her voice.
"It never came up." Donna snaps back before Harvey could respond. still with a friendly tone in her voice. Only Harvey notices.
"We should invite her to the wedding then," Paula says, leaning her head on Harvey's shoulder while making intense eye contact with Donna.
The flow of alcohol in Donna's veins and her annoyed feeling towards Paula was not a great mixed. If she could spot a more threatened woman, it sure is Paula. Thankfully, Marcus and Kate returned with more shots of alcohol, they didn't fail to notice the tension surrounding the three, especially towards the two women.
Suddenly the lights that were once strobing were slowed down, and the once loud electric music was replaced with an all too familiar tune. A drag queen came up to the stage and started singing the song.
Crazy for You by Madonna.
You have got to be fucking kidding me. Harvey and Donna both thought.
As the lyrics were belted out by the singer, Harvey and Donna had made a quick eye contact.
Two by two their bodies become one.
The moment the twins had described in the polaroid earlier that day flashed in their minds. They were once happy.
"Harvey! Donna! Sing the song!" Marcus says, aware that he was drunk and that he definitely should have mot said that. He and Kate both knew that requesting that particular song would ignite some type of feeling.
I see you through the smokey air,
can't you feel the weight of my stare
"Marcus I don't think-" Harvey responds, and Paula was left to wonder what the hell this song meant to both Harvey and Donna. She was a psychologist after all, she knew how feelings worked. By the looks of it, there was more than just a past history of friendship between them.
"Come on, Harv," Marcus chuckles, "remember when this was the only song you used to play?"
Donna quietly got up from her seat and excused herself to leave the bar. The song that held way too many memories become distorted as Donna ran away. Paula, Harvey, Marcus, and Kate all watched Donna flee the room. Kate leans in towards Marcus.
"I think it may have been a little too early to pull that one." Kate whispers.
If Paula hadn't been there, Harvey was convinced he would have ran after Donna.
-
Harvey finds himself watching the street ahead of him. He had hailed a cap and headed towards her. He had to take another breather to reflect on his life. He closes his eyes, when he hears the door of LE Paulsen opening then shutting close. He could hear her determined heels clicking on the pavement.
He turns around and sees Donna in a flash, her hands holding his face and kisses him, urgently.
"Fight for me." Donna says.
Harvey tries to say something back, but he couldn't. His mouth was incapable of doing so. She steps back, walking across the road, Harvey spots the oncoming car heading towards Donna, he panics, he could hear the beep of a horn, it inches closer towards Donna and—
"Harvey!" A voice says next to him, one with a British accent. Paula. Harvey bolts up from his bed, realizing that it was all a dream. He rubs his face with his hands, realizing that he was visibly sweating. Harvey looks around their dark bedroom, the only source of light being the city's buildings.
"...nightmare," Harvey breathes.
"You haven't had those in months," Paula says, recalling the day where she was just his therapist listening to his problems. He never really revealed what might be the cause of those nightmares, or rather whom. Paula likes to think that she was the reason why those nightmares subsided.
It's always been clear to Harvey who it was, and now that they have come face to face all over again, it triggered his subconscious and the nightmares. Part of the reason why he hadn't told Paula during their sessions, was that if he had revealed that the woman in his dreams was Donna, it meant he was ready to let her go. Paula had been a temporary veil to cover over those memories, but now that they're engaged, that veil may have to be permanent.
He blamed it on the alcohol from the pervious night.
-
The following morning, Harvey and Paula were quitely eating breakfast. Just as Harvey was about to set his bowl of cereal down the counter, Paula had said something that caused Harvey to drop the bowl, shattering it in broken pieces.
"We should get married in the next month, Harvey. I mean, what are we waiting for?"
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And that was chapter four! I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, I'll update soon! Don't forget to leave your thoughts, if you'd like— I love reading your guys' reaction.