Hi Folks! As promised Chapter 2 of Donna's visit with Lily. Here she is introduced to Harvey's stepdad and have their dinner with Marcus at his restaurant. When Lily mentions her babysitting services, conversation suddenly evaporates. Why? Thank you if you have been able to read and review since links seem to be down. Thank you so so much. Love - Carebearmaxi. P.S. Shout out to cassie darveypainted for her incredible inspiring artwork. I hope she will enjoy these when she reads these little stories.
For Just One Moment
Chapter 2
Donna and Lily went back to Lily's house. They arrived and found Bobby working in the garage just putting away his rake and about to put up some St. Patrick's Day lights.
"Honey," Lily addressed her husband. "I want you to meet someone."
Bobby stopped what he was doing and wiped his hands on his jeans.
"This is Donna. Harvey's girlfriend. You heard me talk about her," Lily ventured.
Donna held out her hand and Bobby took it.
"It's so nice to meet you, Bobby," Donna said.
"I understand you're in town for a conference," Bobby continued the conversation as they stood in the doorway of the garage on the sunny, windy Sunday afternoon.
"Yes. Women in Business. There were a few keynote speakers and other seminars that I think would help me as COO of the firm," Donna remarked.
"Well, I'm glad you came to visit us. Lily has thought of nothing else since she knew you were coming."
Donna just smiled.
Lily suddenly feeling there was nothing more to say between Donna and Bobby said, "We'll let you get back to your work. Do you want me to make some coffee? It's chilly out here."
"I already made a fresh pot. I figured you might like some."
"Thanks, dear," Lily said reaching up and giving her husband a kiss.
Donna followed Lily as she turned and went through the garage door into the house.
"This is kind of an odd place to start a tour, but this is our mud room. We go through here and it leads to the family room and then…"
Donna recognized pictures of Harvey and Marcus when they were boys hanging on the wall and on every end table and mantle in the home. She also saw pictures of children she did not recognize.
As she was shown room from room, Donna asked Lily about the pictures and who they were.
While they were in the family room, Lily pointed to three pictures on the wall in front of them. "This is Harvey's school picture at 12. Marcus' school picture at around the same age and here is a picture of them together at ages 12 and 6."
"Why at those ages?" Donna wondered.
"Because boys start to change at 12, I have other pictures of them around as you can see, but I think these pictures capture them so rightly at that cusp between little boy and young man," Lily said looking at the photographs with an artist's eye.
"I never thought about that. Then again, I don't have any brothers; so I didn't get to witness that change," Donna responded appreciatively.
As the walked into the living room there were more photos plus paintings distributed about the room in strategic viewing sites. Lily pointed to the pictures on the mantle.
"These are my grandchildren Hailey and Marcus, Jr., and on that far wall are Bobby's children from his first marriage. Neither one of his children have married yet," Lily finished almost sadly.
"Lily, this isn't the house where Harvey grew up, is it?" Donna asked as she picked up a small framed picture of a baby boy with Harvey's unmistakable Cheshire Cat grin. She pointed and questioned silently with her eyes.
"Yes, that's Harvey when he was about six months old," Lily acknowledged. Then she answered Donna's question. "No. That's actually a couple of blocks away. When Gordon died he left it to me and I have never sold it or done anything with it. Marcus lived in it with Katie once when they were first married. They now live across town from here closer to the restaurant."
Donna was shown into Lily's studio which was filled with plants, unfinished paintings, and painting supplies. The room also had a window seat where a hanging plant with purple buds hung. There was so much foliage that Donna wondered why there were so many plants.
The window seat looked so comfortable with a big beige pad on the sill and pillows behind it.
"Donna."
"Yes, Lily. I still have the keys to the old house. Would you like to see where Harvey grew up?"
Donna shook her head. "No that's not necessary. I don't want to take you out of your way. Maybe sometime when Harvey and I are here together."
Lily looked at Donna.
"Are you sure because it's not as big as this. I pay a cleaning lady to keep it clean and there is still some old furniture left in it. I never touched Harvey's room, so all his posters of Top Gun and other movies he loved are still hanging in the room. I go there myself when I want to be close to my boys."
Donna looked around and then took a seat on the window seat and breathed in.
"This is a beautiful house, Lily. "
"So, I take this as a "no" for seeing the house where Harvey grew up?"
"Yes. I just want to sit here and absorb this beautiful light. Is that why your easel is set up here?"
Lily nodded. "The morning light is great in here. I get up on the weekends sometimes at dawn, so I can catch the good light and shadows when I want to create. Here have a seat. I specially picked out this sill to be a window seat and chose the patterns of the pillows and the pad. I wanted it to be inviting."
Donna took a seat placing her purse on the floor next to her. She breathed in the air and felt at peace. She was so surprised at how warm a welcome Lily gave her. There had been no awkward silences or any hesitation in their conversations. Harvey should be here she thought. Although Lily and I have become more acquainted and more at ease with one another without him. I do think his mother would love to have us both here together. Maybe. One day.
"Ok. Let me check on that coffee that Bobby said he made. Tell you a secret. The man never knows the right amount of coffee to grind before he puts it in the percolator."
"I thought I detected a percolator when I came in. I tell you a secret. I love coffee from a percolator. The newer machines and even the Keurig machine can't match the taste."
"Good to hear. Please take your boots off. I don't know how you walked around as well as you did in those things. I love heels myself but I learned my lesson about fashion when I twisted my ankle walking around on a museum tour with a pair of fashionable shoes."
"Are you sure?" Donna asked. She really did not want her feet to wilt the plants in the room from them being warm and sweaty having been packed up in boots all day.
"Don't worry about the plants, Donna. If they can withstand turpentine, tempura paints, and oils plus Bobby's feet, they can withstand anything," Lily joked apparently seeing the uncomfortable look on Donna's face.
Lily smirked and left the room.
Donna removed her boots and massaged between her toes. She turned her body and bending her one knee placed the foot on the pillowed sill. Her dark maroon nails reflected the sunlight still pouring through the window. She smiled herself and placed her elbow on top of her resting knee and held her forehead. For just a moment she spotted Harvey's smirk in Lily's face.
Oh Harvey, your mother is such a delight. She is warm, intuitive, and nothing like I had pictured all those years when you described her sins. She still acknowledges the damage she did to you by having you keep her secrets, and I can see how much she really loves you. I can now recognize those parts in you that are really from Lily. You are such a combination of both your parents, but you also developed your own edge, which is irreplaceable, sexy, and loveable. I miss you. Next time we take this trip together.
"A penny for your thoughts," Lily said as she returned with two mugs of coffee.
"Oh," Donna said coming back to the present. "I was just thinking of how much Harvey is like both his parents."
"He and Marcus are the best of both Gordon and me. Harvey's heart is bigger than Marcus' I think. I've always thought that."
"I've always known Harvey has a big heart. One of the traits I love about him. It's his head I'm not sure sometimes is always on straight."
"That's why God chose you for him. You keep him on the straight and narrow and he always appreciates it. At least that's what Gordon always told me."
"I'm so glad to hear that you and Gordon didn't stop talking after your divorce. My parents were separated many years ago, and it took an Act of God for my parents to realize that they really loved and belonged together."
"How long ago was this? Apparently, your father and Harvey misunderstood each other at one time, but it's been resolved."
"Oh, we just started working at the firm when that happened. Yes, my dad and Harvey are getting along a little better now. As far as me keeping Harvey on the straight and narrow, I just acknowledge out loud what Harvey knew is the right thing to do all along. Don't worry when he does make a mistake I do let him know that as well. He does the same to me," Donna confessed.
"I don't think you make that many mistakes. When Harvey and I talk about you I think he puts on a pedestal…and there is nothing wrong with that." Lily paused and took a sip of her coffee.
"This is terrific coffee by the way," Donna said. "I taste you added vanilla to it."
"One of the things that Harvey told me you especially liked. He said he takes his coffee no other way."
They both laughed at that. They both sat now on the window seat and continued to talk, laugh, and get acquainted.
At about 6:30 pm, Donna said goodbye to Bobby with a hug. He bowed out of the dinner as he was tired and wanted to rest.
"I'll be sure to bring you back some linguine and clam sauce," Lily said.
"Yes. That's my favorite. Have a good time, you two," Bobby said as he said his final goodbye and shut the door behind them.
Lily and Donna walked to Lily's car in the driveway.
"I know that Marcus knows you better, so I expect to hear a lot of experiences that you shared with him, Harvey, and Gordon. I understand that you guys always had a good time together."
Donna made a face and thought back. D id we really do that much together? I always tried to be sure that Harvey spent time with his brother and father alone. Harvey always invited me. Did I not bow out that much?
"I'm not sure what I can add if Marcus has already told you about those few times we all went somewhere together."
"We'll see."
They arrived at Marcus' restaurant in time for their 7:00 pm reservation. It was Sunday night now. Donna had had a busy day and she was hoping that the evening would end on the early side as she had to prepare for the meetings the next day. The shuttle to take them to the building where the conference and classes were would be early at the hotel to retrieve the participants at 7:30 am. Donna had memorized Monday's entire agenda. She had already chosen her outfit for the next day as well.
"Hey, ma, Donna," Marcus' greeted them as they waited in the vestibule of the restaurant. Donna hugged Marcus back as tight as she could in response to his bear hug and then watched how he hugged and rocked his mom in his joy to see her.
"I haven't seen mom for about a month. Katie and I are so busy with our reconciliation, so Mom told me to forego my bi weekly appointment with her and only see her when we dropped the kids off for babysitting duties."
Lily laughed and then looked at Donna and said, "I hope I can extend the same service to you and Harvey someday."
Donna just nodded. Children? We're still working on our work/home dynamic let alone kids but I also hope you can someday Lily. Harvey would love being a father. I just know he would.
Marcus sat down with Donna and Lily when he could. As owner and host of his restaurant, he did not have much time for socializing even with his own family members. However, everyone knew Lily and Bobby and they were getting to know Harvey. As Marcus introduced Harvey's special lady in his life, Donna was immediately accepted by them as a part of the Specter Family.
Donna and Lily ate more this time than talked while Marcus flitted from here to there doing his host/owner duties. It was a sudden change for the both of them because they had not stopped talking and sharing since Donna had gotten into Lily's car. Even when they were in Lily's home, they continued to talk and share. Donna ate her veal scaloppini and Lily ate her chicken parmigiana which Donna knew to be Harvey's favorite dish. He had cooked it for her recently, and, as always, she was amazed at how adept he was in the kitchen.
Donna was not the only one that felt something had changed between them. Lily also had felt a change in the air. It was especially evident to her while they drove in silence to Marcus' restaurant.
"Something wrong?" Lily ventured. The last thing she wanted to do was offend Harvey's special love. Hopefully, she would be her daughter-in-law one day. However, one could not rush these things especially where Harvey was concerned.
Donna surprised that Lily realized there had been a change shook her head vehemently and said "No. What could be wrong?"
"We're suddenly very quiet together. Bobby even said how we kept right on talking and didn't even notice whether he was in the room or not."
Donna smiled and let out a tiny laugh.
"You became quiet the minute I suggested you may be able to use my babysitting services someday. Either you and Harvey don't want children or you've never discussed marriage or children on a serious basis. I know you told me that he more or less proposed loosely, but you don't think he meant it?"
Donna quickly swallowed her food and wiped her mouth on her napkin.
"No, Lily, that's not it at all! You remembered what I told you about Harvey not realizing that I thought marriage was part of the deal of being together forever. Well, I just keep thinking about Harvey as a dad."
"Do you not think he would make a good one?" Lily asked concerned.
"Oh my God, no. He would be an excellent father, but I don't dare discuss it with him at this stage because I still think he is still rolling around the idea of being married in his head."
It was Lily's turn to laugh.
"Ok. If Harvey being a father is good, at least with you, what's different? Do you want children or are you one of those women who is married to their career or too in love with their significant other that you think children will spoil everything?"
"No, not that either. I would love to have children and I hope it's not too late. I've always pictured myself with at least one or two children with the right man. Believe me, Lily, Harvey is the right man for me. It's just that the whole time we were riding here in your car my mind kept seeing a future with babies and a home and Harvey loving every minute of it. I guess that's what made me so silent. I just hope it happens."
Lily placed her hand on Donna's and said, "I'm sure it will. Especially if you discuss it with Harvey. He'll want it because you want it and then it will be full steam ahead. He just wants to please you and love you. I know he does."
"Thanks, Lily. You will probably the first person Harvey tells if marriage and/or children happen. I will be obligated to tell my parents first," Donna said with a nod of her head and a happier tone in her voice.
Marcus suddenly swooped back in and slid into the chair next to his mother.
"I'm so sorry, ladies, to be away all this time, but it seems we have a minor crises happening in the kitchen. So, mom, (he said as he bent over to kiss his mom's cheek) and Donna (did the same to her cheek), if I don't see you when you leave. The food is on the house and I hope you enjoyed yourself."
Donna piped up and said, "Everything is so marvelous, Marcus. I hope next time I come here Harvey will be with me."
"Make sure that brother of mine treats you well. If not, he'll hear it from me."
Donna smiled and actually blushed. She felt so accepted and welcomed into this family. She also felt safe which was unusual because she did not even feel that accepted and welcomed in her own family. Harvey was always her safe harbor and especially now that she knew he really loved her and wanted her as she had always longed for him.
Marcus said his goodnights. Then Donna and Lily left the restaurant. Lily told Donna it was not a long ride to her hotel, and she was not sleepy having consumed enough coffee to fill a carafe.
They arrived at the hotel. It was 9:30 pm Sunday evening. Donna kissed Lily on her cheek and they hugged. Then Donna got out of the car and walked back into her room and into her hotel room. She decided to see if Harvey had gotten over his hangover from the previous night.
"Hey," Donna said when Harvey answered.
"Hey, did you have a good day with mom and Marcus?" Harvey inquired.
"They were wonderful. I met Bobby, your stepfather. He's not a bad man and he really loves your mother and she loves him."
"I know," Harvey said reluctantly.
"You sound better than you did this morning. Hangover all gone?"
"Yes, I think I slept most of the day. I'm just working on a brief and then watching some Sunday Night Football. You would have been bored to tears. I know how much you love football," he remarked in a sarcastic tone.
"That's ok. You know how I would get you back."
"Yes, sitting through one of those silly Hallmark Channel love story movies," Harvey retorted.
Donna could see in her mind's eye Harvey's eye roll when he said the words.
"I just wanted to tell you what a great day I had with your family."
"Well, they really love you. I know they do. Of course, not as much as I love you."
Donna just remained silent and then said, "I love you, too. I have to do last minute review of the seminars tomorrow. I will see you on Thursday."
"Good luck, Ms. COO. Enjoy your conference. See you Thursday. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Harvey."
Donna reviewed the seminars she would be attending, but when she fell asleep that night her subconscious for just one moment allowed her a preview of her future with Harvey which would encompass an impromptu wedding and the birth of three children: two twin red headed cherubs and a blonde little boy who looked just like Harvey.
In her sleep she smiled.