"Donna?!" Harvey calls out. He's standing at the door, hand resting on the handle of his suitcase, waiting for his wife. He doesn't hear anything back and she doesn't appear and he sighs deeply, "DONNA?!" He calls out again. This time fast footsteps near him and she walks into the hall, "what's going on with you?" She asks, eyebrows raised. Harvey looks at her, and his eyebrows pull into a frown. She's in her pajama's, makeup not finished yet, hair still in a bun on top of her head. She is nowhere near ready to leave and he huffs, "we have to go. Why aren't you ready yet?"

Donna's eyebrows lift even higher, "Harvey," she can't contain a soft laugh, "our flight doesn't leave for three hours. Calm down." She turns on her heel and makes her way back to the bathroom. As she stands in front of the mirror again, finishing applying her makeup, she tries to make sense of what just happened. As long as she has known Harvey he has never been this early to something. He's more of a the-last-possible-minute-is-still-in-time kind of man. Usually, it's her that's waiting for him, not the other way around. It feels a little weird and she can't yet figure out why he is like this. Although she knows there has got to be a reason. When Harvey is grumpy like this, it's usually because he is nervous about something. And lashing out is the only way he knows how to deal with nerves and vulnerability, although she has been trying to teach him other ways.

As Donna carefully folds another dress, she feels Harvey's presence in the doorway. She looks up and smiles at him, but he is still wearing that frown. "I always knew you were a bit of a Grinch, but this is taking it too far, Harvey," she pointedly looks at him, "relax."

Harvey glares at her, taps his forefinger on his watch and then wanders back to the hallway again, leaving Donna behind with her unfinished packing. In her work she's always punctual and prepared, and leaving something to mere hours before it has to be finished is not like her, but this is just a week of visiting family and friends. It's time to unwind and relax. They're flying back to New York, spending a few days catching up with everyone they left behind over there before continuing towards Connecticut to see her parents and spend Christmas Eve with them, and then they will move on towards Boston for Christmas with Marcus and his family.

Donna zips up her suitcase and then changes out of her pajamas into a pair of black jeans and a dark green turtleneck. She wanders into the hall and smiles sweetly at Harvey, who is leaning against the wall, still sporting that frown. "Are you finally ready?" He grumbles. "No," she responds right back, "I'm not ready yet, Harvey. And I don't know what's going on with you today, but trying to rush me is not going to make it any better for either of us." She looks at him for a little while longer, but when he doesn't say anything she turns and leaves him at the door again.

Harvey waits for a few more minutes, but then sounds from the kitchen catch his attention. He drags his feet back into the apartment. "You're making coffee?" He releases a long sigh, "come on, Donna. I know you hate being told what to do but we are going to miss our plane!" Frustration laces his voice and he folds his arms over his chest, unconsciously squaring his shoulders.

Donna puts the cup of coffee she just made herself down on the counter and slowly makes her way over to Harvey. She tries to read him, but he's giving off so much mixed signals that she can't make out what's what. His folded arms and squared jaw portray his frustration. But the frown on his forehead, the way his eyebrows are knitted together, that seems more like an insecure nervousness. He's not meeting her eyes, which tells her that she could probably see some vulnerability in there that he doesn't want her to notice.

"Harvey?" Donna stands in front of him. She is so close that he can smell the lavender-scented shower gel she used this morning. When she's that close, it's like gravity isn't pulling him down to earth anymore, but towards her instead. He closes the last few inches between them, his hands finding her waist. She doesn't respond, neither verbally nor physically. Not until he finally meets her eyes.

Donna lets her hands come up to rest on Harvey's arms. She softly squeezes his biceps and then offers him a small smile. "What is going on with you?" She asks tentatively. Immediately, he stiffens again; she feels his body tense against hers. "It's nothing," he murmurs, looking away from him again, "I just think we need to get going. You've been looking forward to this week for-"

"Cut the bullshit, Harvey." Donna steps back, making his hands drop from her waist. She turns her back towards him, picking up the coffee she put down earlier. She takes a few sips, waiting for him to say something. He doesn't and annoyance starts battling the concern at his uncharacteristic behavior. She finishes her coffee and rinses the cup before turning back towards him.

It seems as though Harvey has frozen in space. He's standing completely still, his dark eyes vacant. Donna lets out a long breath and then approaches him again. As soon as she's close enough, she places her left hand against his cheek, her thumb softly stroking along his jaw. Her right hand rests against his chest, and she feels his heart beating against her palm. "Harvey?" She softly questions, "why are you dreading this week so much?"

Harvey doesn't respond. Not with words, but Donna feels him melting into her a little. He lets his face lean into her palm and he moves a little closer to her, his hands coming to rest on her waist again and their bodies almost touching. He is still not meeting her gaze, however. Donna looks at him, sees that something is troubling him, and she decides to guess. "Is this about my dad? Because, Harvey, I know you two got off to a rocky start, but-" "No," he interrupts her, lightly shaking his head, "we're okay. We both love you and want what's best for you. That's our common ground."

Finally, Harvey meets Donna's eyes. She smiles faintly at him, touched by his words. But it doesn't distract her from the problem at hand. His face is open. She tilts her head up a little, so she can take another look at him. There's a vulnerability in his eyes, and a sadness that she thinks she recognizes. "It's the first Christmas without your mom," she realizes.

As Donna says the words, she knows she's right. Harvey tightens his grip on her just a little. Pulling her closer towards him. It's not even a conscious action, he just needs something – someone – to hold on to. He nods, almost imperceptibly. "It's not like I've spent Christmas with her in the last years… Not since I was a kid," he softly says, "but still…"

Donna doesn't say anything. She just continues stroking her thumb over his cheek while letting her other hand slide over his chest and around his neck. She runs her fingers through his short hair, knowing that's something that soothes him. He takes a shuddering breath and closes his eyes for a moment. She waits patiently. Calmly. He needs her to be steady right now, she can't allow herself to be swept up in his emotions, even though she can feel her heart breaking for him.

"I didn't want to make this a big thing," Harvey eventually murmurs, "it's our first Christmas together. And I know how much you love the holidays. And I was… I am really looking forward to it too this year. Spending this time with you," he meets her hazel eyes, "and with our families. But…" He sighs, unable to fully articulate his thoughts.

"You wanted to share this with your mom too," Donna carefully says. And as always, she's so good at saying exactly the right thing. At telling him how he feels. She smiles a warm, comforting smile at him, "and you regret not making up with her sooner. But Harvey," she leans in and kisses him. Quickly but soft and passionate as well, "she wouldn't want this to cast a shadow over the holidays. She would want you to cherish the time you are spending with the people you love."

Harvey buries his face into Donna's shoulder, leaning into her. "I love you," he breathes against her skin. She wraps her arms around him and holds him tight. For minutes, they just hold on to each other, not needing anything more. Until Donna slowly pulls away, "I think we need to get going now. Or we'll really miss our plane." She smirks at him.