First of all, I just wanna thank everyone who reviewed the last chapter(s)! You guys are the reason why I'm so inspired to write. Thank you for being so kind to me and this first multichapter fic I've written. This is the second to last chapter of this story, and I hope you guys enjoy. Again, so sorry for any spelling or grammatical errors you might come across.
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Parent Pursuit
IX.
She couldn't place her finger on it, but something was off. The moment Harvey Specter knocked on her door, two days too early of being home, there was something on his mind. That was five days ago. Harvey's demeanor had completely changed after he had knocked on his door, claiming that his "meeting" had ended early and he was more than glad that it was over. He emphasized over in a way that only Donna could detect. It was close to midnight afterall, and she knew that his intentions wasn't to take Emma home.
"You wanna talk about it?" Donna says, glancing at Harvey's eyes, both of them still separated by the fine line of Donna's apartment and the hallway.
"Yeah." Harvey quietly whispered, Donna had told him that the girls were already asleep, so they settled on the couch. An all too overwhelming sense of familiarity rushed over them. They haven't properly talked about the kiss, they both knew it, but neither dared to bring it up.
"What happened?"
"I broke it off with Paula." Harvey sighs. Donna wants to say she was surprised, but somehow she knew it was coming.
"Oh, Harvey." Donna said, leaning forward and placing her hand on top of Harvey's. An action she thought she had left so long ago. Harvey couldn't help but notice how natural it felt.
He smiled a little, "I guess I should've seen it coming." Harvey says, repeating Donna's hidden thoughts. They got each other like that— people sometimes said that they shared the same brain.
"What made you change your mind?"
"I don't know," The kids... You. "We weren't a good match."
"Good match, huh?" Donna quirks her eyebrows at this.
"Dad." Harvey smiles a little.
Gordon has always been perceptive when it came to relationships, and was very vocal when it came to Donna and Harvey's. He loved her like a daughter the moment Harvey had introduced Donna as his "best friend." and Harvey doesn't know that Gordon had told Donna that "Give it a couple of years and you'll be my daughter in law." Even though his perception of time had been different, he was right. Gordon had even told she and Harvey that they were a perfect match.
They had a couple drinks after talking about Paula, and they soon detered from that topic and moved on. Harvey told him how the firm was, Donna told Harvey about LEpaulsen and how she got to where she was now. Casual talk, much like a first date. Minus the kissing and the getting to know eachother type of deal. Minus the feelings (or show of feelings). They then realized that it was close to two in the morning and Harvey decided that it was time to go home, and that he'll swing by the following day.
Donna had almost told him to stay, almost.
As the next few days passed by, there had been a change of demeanor. Harvey would ask to bring Lily along with Emma to go somewhere, and they would almost always return with freshly picked wildflowers. Harvey was always the one to give it to her, even though his excuse was that it was the girls' idea. They'd occasionally have lunch together, and dinner.
Now, she was standing on the balcony, watching as the twins eagerly helped Harvey make pancakes for breakfast. The scene unfolding in front of her was almost straight out of a Hallmark movie, it was domestic, more domestic than she and Harvey had been sixteen years ago. She takes a sip of the coffee Harvey had offered her.
Vanilla.
Harvey looks up from the griddle and looks at Donna with wonder, he mouths "You okay?" and she nods. She doesn't know what was happening, but she knew that she shouldn't be getting her feelings involved now. Especially now that the broken engagement has only been a few days, and especially not now that she and Lily had a week and two days left in New York.
That night, the twins had stayed with Harvey and Donna had a wine night with Kate.
"You're scared." Kate says casually in between the sips of red wine. She watches her sister's eyes squint at her and just smiles.
"I'm not."
"Really? So you're not scared of falling for Harvey again?" Kate says, knowing her sister all too well.
"I'm not gonna fall for Harvey again."
"You've already fallen," Kate declares and stands up from the couch, holding her wine and points at the flowers in the room, "Those flowers would be in the trash right now if you didn't care."
"Pshh, the twins picked those out. You know how they've been rooting for Harvey and I." Donna says.
"He still gave them to you, didn't he?" Kate announces.
"That doesn't mean anything." Donna brushes it off.
"Except that it does mean everything, with relationships you've had after Harvey, the roses they gave you went straight in the trash, Donna. You said it's because you hated the simplicity of roses, it was a safe choice, but you and I both know its because no guy has ever compared to Harvey. You never let any guy in the same way you let Harvey in. God, Donna, Harvey set your standards high and now it's back and you're scared." Kate rambles, still standing and telling Donna everything in her chest like the older sister she is.
"Wine time's over." Donna gets up from her seat and moves towards her bedroom, leaving Kate in the middle of the living room.
"Donna, I know you know. But, I'm a Paulsen too... I know." Kate calls back to Donna, and all Donna could do was offer her sister a small smile and a nod, and closes her bedroom door.
Kate closes her eyes and sighs, she fishes out her phone from her pocket and dials, she didn't give the person on the other end of the line a chance to say a word before she interrupted.
"You hurt her again, and I'll give you hell, Specter."
When the twins were informed by Harvey himself about the broken engagement almost six days ago, the twins couldn't help themselves but cheer in excitment.
"Knew that was coming," Harvey had said, and the twins gave Harvey a pitiful look before giving him a tight hug.
"Sorry, Dad." Lily had said, her arm wrapped around Harvey and her sister.
"Yeah, Dad, but Paula wasn't really our favorite." Emma confesses, with Harvey already knowing how the twins felt about their almost step mother.
"I know, kiddo." Harvey pulls back and looks at the twins, and smiling to himself. They both have grown into wonderful, young women, and he could thank Donna for those attributes. They were both the perfect mixture of the Paulsen-Specter genes. Driven, smart, independent and hell, beautiful. He knew that in a couple years, if not soon, Harvey was going to be extra protective when the girls have boyfriends. He also knew, that because of Donna, the girls could take care of themselves.
"What's on your mind, dad?" Emma smirks.
"I need your help with something."
"We're all ears." Lily responds.
The following day, Donna gets a call from Harvey to meet him and the twins for lunch at the "Shitty Thai Place" Harvey claims he hates, but knew that he loved. The right thing for Donna to do was to decline, because she didn't want anymore feelings involved, no matter how minuscule she thought those feelings were. The things Kate had said to her the other night was eating away at her thoughts.
But Fuck it, she wasn't going to let a few technicalities to stop her from having a nice, civil lunch with her girls and ex husband. Emphasis on the "ex" part. She gets ready, put on a Chanel dress— a bit excessive for a casual thai restaurant— because she felt great today. She was dressing for herself, and definitely not the man she was definitely not falling for.
It was a good lunch, a lunch that made everyone around them think they were one, beautiful family. Smiling, laughing. Harvey had offered to have dinner at his place.
"I can't," Donna says, and not because of Kates words swiriling in her head, but because she actually had a valid reason to not attend the dinner, "I have a late appointment with a client across town today."
Harvey knits his eyebrows, "Who? and how are you getting there?"
"Some guy named Louis Litt, he mentioned that you two worked in the same firm. There's cabs all over New York, Harvey." Donna smiles.
"Why don't I have Ray drive you, Louis and his wife live a little far out, and you know how the world is nowadays." Harvey insists.
"No, Harvey, it's okay. I'm a big girl, I can handle myself." Donna said.
The twins watched the two adults have a conversation, almost like a husband being protective of his wife, and they couldn't stop themselves from smiling.
"No, I insist, Donna. I'm gonna be hanging out with these two," Harvey puts his arms around the twins, who was somehow almost Donna's height, "and Ray won't have to take me anywhere. Please?"
Harvey smiles his Cheshire grin and winks at Donna, and Donna couldn't help but roll her eyes in agreement. Harvey calls this a victory.
When Donna got into the Lexus, she smiled at Ray and thanked him for taking her to this so called Louis Litt's house. She was wearing a tight, black, long sleeved dress and threw on a white long coat, and she topped off the look with her black pumps, with the vibrant, red sole. Her hair was wavy and she only accessorized with simple earings.
During the first 30 minutes of the drive, she made small talk with Ray, talking about family, the New York traffic, and Emma and Harvey. When more greens showed than buildings, Donna asked Ray to wake her up when they got to Louis Litt's house. She was exhausted. Ray nodded and told her to get rest.
The drive was smoother when her eyes began to flicker open, the sky now tinged with a hint of orange hues. She glances at the rearview mirror, and the man who she knew was supposed to be ray was not Ray.
"Harvey? What the fuck?" Donna squeals.
"Good morning, sleeping beauty, or should I say good night?" Harvey smirks, and she can see his smile on the rearview mirror.
"Where's Ray?" Donna asks.
"He got tired, so I took over."
Donna squints her eyes, not believing his excuse. He was supposed to be home with the girls. She looks out the window momentarily and could see the all too familiar stretch of the lake. Harvey rounds the corner and parks the car in front of the lake house. The lake house she has not been into for years, decades. Donna was sure she was still dreaming, but her thoughts were snapped back into reality when Harvey opens the right doors.
"Are you gonna get out?" Harvey smiles, offering a hand to Donna, who was now visibly irritated. She tries to get up, and quickly smooths out the black dress that had ridden up dangerously her thigh. Harvey couldn't help and notice her long, creamy, legs. Get a grip, Specter.
"Harvey! Take me back right now, I have a client to go to!!" Donna yells as she steps out of the car. The sun has almost disappeared in the horizon. Her back was facing him. Donna turns around has Harvey approaches her, his hand almost reaching hers but she pulls back.
"Donna, Donna... calm down." Harvey says, trying his hardest not to piss off the already frustrated woman in front of him.
"I have an appointment with Louis Litt and I'm not there! I'm here, at the lake house with YOU!" Donna expresses, annoyance evident in her voice. She kept rambling and finally, Harvey gives up and talks normally.
"I'm Louis Litt." Harvey says. Donna glares at him, her hands on her hips. She purses her lips.
"What?" Donna huffs.
"I'm Louis Litt, I'm your client for tonight."
Donna was ready to choke him there and then.
Harvey cleared his throat to get the attention of the few adults in his household. "Okay everyone, everyone please focus your attention to the girls."
Kate, Ray, and Louis Litt all turned their attention to
the girls.
Lily was the first one to speak, "Aunt Kate, Ray, and Louis you all are a part of Phase one of Operation: Donna," Lily spots Louis' hand in the air, "Yes?"
"I still have no idea why I'm here, and the fact that I just now found out Harvey has twins?"
"You'll find out your role in a bit, Louis." Harvey rolls his eyes.
Lily continued to speak, slightly amused at the stout, talkative man. "Aunt Kate, we need you to make mom realize that her feelings for dad are, evidently still there. We all know how stubborn she is.
Emma then started speaking, "The following day, Ray," Emma focuses her attention at the kind man who was almost a part of the family, "we need you to drive mom to her fake client appointment, halfway through the drive, mom will fall asleep and you and dad could switch off."
"How do you know she'll fall asleep?" Louis interrupts.
"They know!" The remaining adults said in unison.
"Louis, this is where you come in, I need you to give her a call and tell her you and Sheila are wanting a personalized handbag and give her an adress to one of your many estates far out town." Harvey says, he then faced everyone around the room, "The twins and I will take care of the rest."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Do I get anything out of this?" Louis asks.
"You can have two meetings in my office, Louis. Two." That got Louis' attention and he nodded vigorously.
"One more thing," Louis added.
Harvey rolled his eyes, "What, Louis?"
"Can we rename this Operation Get Litt?"
"Make that one meeting." Harvey states.
"What the fuck do you mean you're Louis?" Donna asks, though Harvey knew better, she wanted an explanation.
"The twins said you've been stressed lately, so I had a friend of mine call you to arrange a meeting. We know how stubborn you are," Harvey smiles and Donna was still annoyed, "so we thought if you didn't agree to dinner, we'd bring you to dinner instead. You deserve a break."
"Bullshit." Donna says.
"Donna, what?"
"You did all this for a dinner? Harvey, I don't think you remember, but we were married for sometime, mind you, best friends for years, I know when you're lying to me." Donna says.
They were still out in the open, Harvey wanted to steer away from that conversation until dinner was over.
"Are you gonna come in for dinner or what?" Harvey asks, and Donna crosses her arms over her chest.
"No."
"Suit yourself."
Harvey continued to walk towards the pathway of the lake house, and to himself started to count, one...two...th— He hears her footsteps behind him, and saw her pass by him as she struggled to keep her Louboutins clean from the path. She knew the path, knew it like the back of her hand.
When they entered the lakehouse, the dinner table was set up for two people. Lights slightly dimmed, and Donna could see the string lights of lights illuminating on the trees outside. The small glimmer of the sun was still present as it reflects through the big, wide, window. Donna turns back around, Harvey was just looking at her intensely. She spots the goddamn wild flowers that she knew grew on the land. The same wildflowers Harvey would give her, they were special, a sacred thing between the two of them.
The set up was reminiscent of their very first, official date all those years ago.
Donna shakes her head and almost laughs. She wraps her white coat around her tighter, her exposed legs somewhat feeling cold now.
"Why?" was all Donna could come up with.
"You know why." Harvey responds quietly, he walks closer towards her, leaving only two feet of space between them.
"Please, enlighten me." Donna said fiercely, her emotions now at bay.
"Ever since you came here, I can't deny the fact that Donna— I can't lose you again." Harvey explains, one hand going through his hair.
"Is that why you broke it off with Paula?" Donna dared.
"Yes."
"Am I here as a fucking rebound?" Donna asks, still, her tone was strong— unapologetic.
"God, Donna, no. I broke it off with her because she's not you. I need you back Donna, and I won't stop until I make you realize that I still love you."
Still. He still loved—loves— her. She faces the window again, not wanting for Harvey to see her vulnerability and the way he affects her. Those dangerous four letter words hanging over the air above them.
"Harvey, there's too much history between us. We can't do whatever the fuck this is," Donna turns around now, her hands at her sides, and Harvey's eyes glassy. "I can't get hurt again, I can't see us hurt eachother again. There's too much at risk."
"Then let's take the leap of faith and jump at the risks. Donna, I lov—" Harvey starts, wanting so much to reach for Donna. He stops, when she holds his hands up.
"Don't," Donna says, her voice faltering and cracking the slightest bit, "if we didn't work out before, what makes you think that we would work out now?" Donna has a small smile on her face, and she also doesn't dare to wipe the tear streaming down her face. Harvey's tears had also made their way out his eyes. Her heart ached. She walks towards the door, reaching for the doorknob.
The image of Donna walking out of the door again hurt Harvey more than he can imagine, except he's changed now, has grown.
"Second chances." Harvey says, Donna turns around at that, as Harvey wipes his tears.
"What?"
"Second chances, with the right person," Harvey explained, recalling the conversation they've had way before they were a couple, "Donna, you're the right person."
Donna turns back around again, but with three quick strides, Harvey's hands were on top of hers, stopping her form twisting the doorknob, stopping her from escaping.
"Tell me you don't love me anymore, Donna." Harvey whispers.
"What?" Donna said, her brown eyes staring into Harveys own brown eyes.
"Tell me you don't love me anymore and I'll stop. I'll let you go, I won't bother you. We'll be civil."
"That's not fair."
"Donna, just tell me."
"I don't love you." Donna declares, her voice cracking.
"I don't lo—" There was a pause, and Harvey knew that the woman in front of him was lying.
Sometimes, Donna forgets that Harvey knew her as much as she knew him. He didn't vocally need to say it, he could just tell. On those occasional days where Donna needs to present something, she will wear a bracelet, and Donna rarely wears a bracelet. She wears it so as she presents, she could fiddle with it, because as confident as Donna may seem, she still gets nervous. Harvey knows that she prefers wildflowers over roses because Donna hate's cliches. Wildflowers were different, more minimal, more sentimental. He also knew that Donna likes the right side of the bed more, because being far away from the window meant she'd get more sleep. He knew her quirks, hidden things about her that Donna probably doesn't even know. He notices, just as much as she notices him.
"Say it again," Harvey said, daring for Donna to tell him that she no longer felt the same way. He was ready to let her go, if she wishes him to. "Donna..." His hand comes up closer to her face, tucking a stray of red that had been on her tear stained cheek, behind her ear. "Say it again."
"I..." Donna starts, and then she crumbles into his arms, sobbing, "I love you, Harvey. I still do."
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Ahhh! I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter as much as I did writing it. I'm so excited to share with you guys the last chapter after this! Please let me know your thoughts and thank you to those who's stuck with this story!