THAT PARIS WEEKEND CHAPTER 19
Hi everyone!
Before we get going here, I wanted to thank you all so much for your reviews. They are thoughtful and helpful, and I read every one. As for the guest reviewers, although I'm not able to respond to you on this site, please know that I see and appreciate them all.
So, here we go. Lots of family dynamics in this one. Hope you all enjoy!
From Paris to... Boston. This is part 1 of 2.
This weekend in Boston is a big deal, so he isn't sure what to choose. The silver Bentley is pure luxury, but maybe just a little rich, even for his taste. A red Ferrari? No, too showy, and it screams mid-life crisis. The midnight blue Aston Martin Roadster? Yes. Perfect. V8 engine. It's a nice machine. Even James Bond thought so. Powerful, good-looking and hugs the curves well.
I can relate to that, Harvey jokes to himself, as the car club attendant hands over the keys.
This adventure is just another first of many that Harvey has had recently. Bringing a woman home to meet his mother is going to be another. Lily's met high school girlfriends, and then there was that disaster dinner with Paula. But to Boston? For an overnight? Donna is the first and last woman he ever plans to do that with, and he's feeling both shaken and stirred about how it all might go down.
Visiting his mother's house, the one she and Bobby bought a few years back will also be new. He can already feel it… another change forcing him out of his comfort zone. Now he's going to be sleeping there, with Donna… and with his mother and Bobby just steps away.
Lipschitz had encouraged him to breathe through his anxiousness and to visualize positive outcomes. That's what he's got in his back pocket if it all becomes too much. Plus, having Donna at his side helps. She's always been a secret weapon of sorts.
On a Saturday, it's a three-hour drive, but Harvey opts for the longer, scenic route along the coast, which should get them there by early afternoon. It's a quick visit, but just enough family time to break the ice.
"You nervous?" he asks, his left hand on the steering wheel and his right on the gear shift.
Donna is casual in a loose, white summer dress. It's a look he's only seen a couple of times, but one he's always loved on her.
"Is it that obvious?" Donna responds, staring out the window as the concrete gives way to open fields and water.
"Well, you haven't touched your coffee or complained about my music," Harvey grins, his eyes dancing between the road and her profile. "You don't fool me as easily as you used to, you know."
"Just thinking what it might be like for your mother to meet the woman in her son's life," Donna sighs. She can't put her finger on it, but she's not convinced Lily is going to welcome her with open arms.
"I think I'd be emotional. Even if my son was as old as you," she says with a smirk and a pat on his lap.
"You certainly didn't think I was old last night," he counters."In fact, your exact words were …'Oh my God Harvey, you have the stamina of a teenager…'"
"We used an entire can of whipped cream… I mean, if that doesn't scream endurance, then I don't know what does," she giggles.
Forcing a sip of her coffee, Donna huffs, and then turns to Harvey. "I'm serious… what if your mom and I don't click? It's possible."
"My father loved you and my mother will, too." Frankly, Harvey finds it unthinkable that anyone would not be taken with Donna upon meeting her.
But in truth, he's nervous, too. Although he's patched things up with his mother, Donna could be right. Who knows what Lily might think. She once told him Paula was a "keeper", a suggestion that, to this day, makes the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end.
Reaching for her hand, Harvey adds, "I can't believe I'm saying this, but just be yourself… you're always at your best when you are."
xxx
As the car slowly pulls up to the house, Donna waves to Marcus and Bobby, who are watching the kids play out front.
Donna looks over at Harvey. " Are you ready for this?"
"As ready as I'll ever be," he sighs, seeing the two men.
As they get out, Hailey and Henry run to meet their Uncle with hugs and kisses, and he introduces them to Donna.
"Hey loser! Hi Donna! Glad you could make it!" Marcus ribs as he walks towards them. He gives Harvey a brotherly pat on the back and then turns to hug Donna.
"Nice to finally meet the woman who's put up with Harvey for so long," he kids. "You're a legend around these parts!" Marcus's playful dig earns him an eye roll from Harvey.
Bobby also leans across to give Donna a hug. She's a little caught off guard but appreciates the gesture. "So happy you could make it, Donna. Welcome to Boston."
Harvey apparently comes from a family of huggers, she estimates.
"Thanks for the warm welcome. It's finally nice to meet everyone in person," Donna responds affectionately.
Next, Bobby shifts his attention to Harvey. The last time they had spoken was years earlier, at Marcus's house, and it was charged. In an effort to press the reset button, Bobby extends his hand.
"Harvey, good to see you."
Harvey holds his breath, presses his lips tight and shakes Bobby's hand. It's brief, but it's something.
"Nice place you got here," he comments, scanning the front of the house in an effort to avoid eye contact.
Giving the two-storey saltbox a once-over, Harvey notices how inviting and well-kept the place is. It's painted a sunny yellow and white, with a blue front door and shutters. Hummingbirds zoom around a hanging feeder, and a colorful mix of dahlias, peonies and, of course, lilies, decorate the front yard.
But it's the porch swing that really catches Harvey's attention. It takes him back to the one of his childhood home, where, on hot summer nights, his mother would read her boys bedtime stories.
Just then, Lily bounds through the front door and across the lawn to welcome the couple. Dressed in a light blue cotton skirt and top, she immediately wraps her arms around Harvey, and gives him a kiss on the cheek. "Hello, sweetheart. I'm so happy you made it."
Harvey lingers in his mother's arms, and seeing him like this warms Donna's heart.
Then Harvey's mother turns towards her, so Donna leans in, expecting a hug, just as the others had done. But Lily quickly offers her hand instead, greeting Donna with a pleasant but simple handshake.
"So you're Donna… it's nice to finally meet you."
Donna quickly recovers by delivering a warm smile and, as a show of affection, placing her other hand on top of the elder woman's. "I'm so happy to finally meet you, too. Thank you for having me."
Lily nods, and turns back to Harvey. "You both must be tired from the drive. Come in and I'll show you to your room. The bed sheets are still drying on the line, I'll sort them out later."
The five adults make their way into the house, and Harvey and Donna head upstairs to set their things in the guest room. The space is compact but comfortable. Harvey scans the room, his eyes catching sight of a few familiar items... childhood photographs, his baseball trophy and glove, and his mother's early paintings.
"You were a cute kid," Donna says, as she takes a picture frame off the dresser. "Even the hair was pretty back then," she quips.
Harvey lets out a long sigh, his fingers traveling across the worn leather of his old glove. Then, his eyes find the old trophy and he carefully inspects his name engraved on the brass plaque.
"Haven't thought about this stuff in a long time... There wasn't a day that I didn't have that glove with me."
Donna walks over and rubs circles on Harvey's back. "I think it's great that she still has all of this," she says. "People are too quick to get rid of family heirlooms."
"You think an old trophy and glove are heirlooms?" Harvey challenges.
"I think that if we're ever lucky enough to have little ones, I'd like to show them someday," she smiles sweetly, while gently slipping her hand into his. "And I'd like to hear you tell them all about how you won that trophy."
Her words bring an instant smile to Harvey's face, and he can feel his heart swell. Here he is stuck in the past, and she offers him a glimpse of the future. A positive outcome, as Lipschitz would say. And it's moments like these that remind Harvey why Donna Paulsen is the love of his life.
After settling in, the pair head downstairs. Donna with a hostess gift and Harvey with the Eiffel Tower puzzle from Paris. Making her way into the kitchen, Donna can hear the rowdy excitement echoing down the hall as the children tear open their gift.
"Lily, I brought you a little something from New York," Donna says sweetly. On the kitchen island, she places an exquisite porcelain cake pedestal, adorned with lace cut-outs around the perimeter. Then, she hands over a white box filled with decadent treats from the best pastry shop in Manhattan.
"The pastries are for now, of course, and the platter is for family celebrations," she suggests. "Maybe it will get a lot of use, as I hope Harvey and I will be able to visit more often."
The elder woman wipes her hands on a tea towel and looks up at Donna.
"That's very generous of you, although you really didn't need to… but thank you, Donna," she says, a polite smile on her lips.
"You're welcome," Donna replies. Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, she feels a little deflated.
As Lily turns away to tend to BBQ preparation, Donna scans the room and tries, once again, to reach out.
"How can I help you with dinner?" she asks enthusiastically, hoping to get to know Harvey's mother better during the busy work of food prep.
"I'm almost finished, but Bobby and Marcus are out on the deck, why don't you bring them this lemonade," she suggests handing Donna a tray with a pitcher and glasses. "Harvey likes to BBQ, so I think I'll put him to work."
Donna makes her way outside. She lays the tray on the patio table, and notices that it's just her and Marcus on the deck. Bobby is on a phone call and pacing the backyard.
"Harvey's good with the kids," he says to Donna, as she pours two glasses. "It's nice to see them having fun with their uncle. He doesn't come by enough."
"They're great kids," Donna compliments, and moves to sit next to him. Even in the late afternoon shade, the backyard is scorching hot and Donna is grateful for her choice of dress.
"I give all the credit to Katie," he says sadly, taking a sip of his drink.
"I'm sorry about what happened," Donna responds. She hesitates to bring up the wedding, but decides to anyway. "I know Harvey asked you about Samantha and the wedding. If you really don't feel ready, it's ok. I can tell her and I'm sure she'll understand, too."
"No, no, it's not that," Marcus responds. "It's probably good for me to get out there. But… you know… I haven't been on a date in a good fifteen years. I'm not even sure how to."
With a caring smile, and her eyes gentle on him, Donna suggests, "Well… the first thing is to not put too much pressure on yourself. You're a great guy, and I'm sure Samantha will be just as nervous as you are."
"What's she like, Donna?" Marcus is curious.
"Honestly? She's a female Harvey… but she looks much better in lipstick and heels," she chuckles.
"Great… at least I know what I'm dealing with," he says, rolling his eyes.
"And what I mean by that is…," Donna explains, her hand softly touching his arm. "She might appear tough on the outside, but she's really very sensitive and sweet on the inside. So don't let her fool you."
Marcus nods and says, "I can't even remember the last time I wore a real suit."
"Well, that's an easy fix! Leave it with me," Donna says. "I'll ask Harvey's guy. Get me your measurements and I'll take care of it."
"Really?" He's surprised at her generous offer.
"Yes, really," Donna says with a tilt of her head and a reassuring smile. "It's your first date in a while, you want to look and feel confident, right?"
"Yeah, that would be nice," he agrees, a shy smile on his face.
"Consider it done! If there's one thing I've learned from watching Harvey all these years..." A grin spreading across her face. "It's that there's just something about a man in a nice suit…"
"Thanks, Donna." She can hear the gratitude in his voice.
"It's my pleasure." And he can hear the kindness in hers.
xxx
"Harvey, dear, would you mind helping me in the kitchen?" Lily asks from the other side of the house.
Harvey is surrounded by puzzle pieces, and to the disappointment of his niece and nephew, he leaves them to start without him.
'Sure, what can I do?" he asks.
"You can help with the salad and… you can tell your mother what's happening in your life," she instructs with a smile. "You seem quite taken with Donna."
Prepping the salad vegetables at the island, Harvey glances up, "There's no one like her, Mom."
"What do you mean?" Lily asks, trying to look busy, but hanging on his every word.
"Since early in my career, she's been my friend, my best friend, actually. We've gone through a lot together, and she's always been there… I trust her completely. I'd do anything for Donna..."
"I'm happy for you…," Lily replies. And she is, but Harvey's words also sting a little. Donna's been there and she hasn't. Now he's starting a new life with this woman, and that will likely mean Harvey having even less time for his family.
"There's a joke between us that her job has been to save me from myself," Harvey chuckles, as he tosses the vegetables into a bowl. "There's some truth to that… I wouldn't here without her. But it's not all one-sided, I've taken care of her and think I'm good for her, too."
"I can't tell you how relieved I am Harvey, I never wanted to see you alone," Lily says, wrestling with a smile that doesn't quite make it to her eyes. She is relieved, but her feelings are complicated. "I hope you're as special to her as she is to you."
"I am." Harvey can't help himself, a boyish grin spreads across his face. "I asked her to move in with me… You know what she said?"
Curious and a little surprised, Lily turns to him with a familiar tilt of her head.
"Not until she met you first… and when we do, our place needs to be big enough for all our family and friends to visit."
Lily takes in Harvey's words. Now she's relieved. Donna is not taking her son away. If anything she's bringing him back.
"Call it mother's intuition, but I think Donna's right for you, Harvey," Lily tells him.
"She is," he agrees, his eyes wide and the boyish smile still there.
With the steaks and burgers ready for the grill, the family gathers on the back deck to enjoy dinner.
Having a meal together like this is uncharted territory, so everyone is on their best behaviour. There's some unfinished business, for sure, but there's also lots of chatter, banter and even laughter.
Marcus asks about the Aston Martin, Lily tells Donna about her art students, Harvey informs the table about Donna's theatrical career, Bobby keeps piling food on everyone's plates, Donna recounts sightseeing in Paris, Hailey shows everyone what she learned in dance class and Henry loses a tooth biting into a hamburger.
As dinner winds down, Donna lays her hand on Harvey's lap and gives him a knowing look.
This is nice.
Harvey places his hand over hers and squeezes it.
It sure is.
After dinner, the couple offers to help to clean up, but Lily insists that she and Bobby do it, leaving Donna and Harvey to spend time with Marcus and the kids. The brothers enjoy the back deck while Donna makes good on a promise she made to the children.
xxx
"So… loser, you've never brought anyone home before. You think she's the one? If not, you better have a damn good reason why because Donna is great." Marcus states, as he hands Harvey a beer. The evening air is thick, the shrill of cicadas chirping away as the sun fades.
Taking a sip of his drink, Harvey turns to his younger brother.
"Donna? Yeah, she is…" he responds, expressionless.
"For a guy who's supposed to be in love, you don't seem too happy about it," Marcus says, studying his brother's features. He'd recognize that stressed-out, clenched jaw anywhere. It's a Specter family trademark.
"To tell you the truth… I'm pretty scared," Harvey admits, his eyes now focused on the bottle as his fingers fiddle with the label. "When it comes to long and happy marriages, our family hasn't exactly had the best record."
Marcus leans forward in his seat, his elbows on his knees. He hears the hurt in his brother's voice. When their parents' marriage fell apart, Harvey harboured a lot guilt over keeping secret their mother's affair. The breakup hit him especially hard.
Marcus knows his divorce has also sent Harvey into a tailspin, his older brother once telling him how much he admired the family life he and Katie had built.
"What's crazy is I've wanted this for… a long time," Harvey admits. "But coming back here… and all the changes, it could just as easily fall apart with her. Look at what happened to you and Katie."
Marcus hangs his head and shakes it.
"You know what my biggest regret is, Harvey?" Marcus turns his remorseful eyes towards his brother. "That I put the least amount of effort into protecting what was most important to me… It wasn't a gambling mistake that ruined my marriage, Harvey, it was taking Katie for granted."
"What do you mean?" Harvey furrows his brow trying to understand.
"I mean I got lazy… we both did, and we grew apart… then when our marriage needed fixing, it was too late..."
Marcus pauses, then a wistful smile forms.
"I used to give Katie flowers and a nice note on the first day of every month... A different bouquet each time, because I knew it made her happy. We'd celebrate anniversaries just for the hell of it… first date, first fight… first anything. Then, when the kids were babies, we'd talk and drink tea in bed until she'd fall asleep on me… It wasn't much, but we made time for each other."
Marcus pauses again. This time, his mind picturing those early days.
"Then, life got busier… I was at the restaurant nearly every night, and we stopped doing those things. I'd even forget to kiss her goodnight sometimes, started treating her more like a roommate than the amazing woman that she is."
"I'm sorry, Marcus," Harvey says. "I had no idea."
"You want a happy marriage, Harvey?" Marcus asks, with a hand to his brother's shoulder. "Give it the kind of attention you give your big cases. Fight for it. Protect it. Women aren't actually that complicated. But what I've learned is that it's not enough to love them… you have to make them feel loved… and if you feel about her the way I think you do, then you're half-way there."
Make sure she feels loved… The words spinning in Harvey's brain. He wonders what that might mean to Donna.
"Maybe if I had just valued what flowers and a real goodnight kiss meant to Katie... it might have turned out differently for us," the younger Specter sighs, the weight of his regret rattling in his voice.
"Marcus…" Harvey says, with an appreciative glance. "For a younger brother, you're pretty smart."
"I haven't felt too smart lately, but I'll take it," Marcus says, standing and reaching for the screen door. "I have to get the kids to bed."
With the screen door slamming behind him, Marcus walks into the cool of the air-conditioned house. He's drawn to the noise of excited laughter coming from the living room. He hasn't heard that sound in a long time, and he soaks it in.
"Daddy! We're camping!" Hailey proudly announces. "Donna helped us build a giant fort so we can sleep here tonight."
The entire room is covered with blankets and sheets, the glow of a flashlight shining through the mess of fabric.
Donna peaks her head out from between two blanket-covered chairs, her red hair is as dishevelled as the room. "I hope it's ok with you, Marcus. Lily was fine with it, as long as you were."
Marcus smiles, understanding even more now why Harvey is so taken with this woman. "As long as Grammy Lily gets her living room back in the morning."
Just then, the screen door slams, and Harvey comes in to stand beside his brother. Henry runs to his uncle, and tugs on his hand.
"Uncle Harvey, look what Donna helped us make. We're camping tonight!"
"There's no way Donna built this," Harvey jokes. "The closet's too small."
"I can hear you!" A muffled voice sounds from inside the fort, earning a laugh from both brothers.
Marcus shuffles the kids upstairs for their bedtime routine, leaving Donna and Harvey alone in the living room.
"You gonna stand guard all night or are you going to join me?" Donna asks from below.
Harvey kneels down to peek into the tent. Donna, immersed in the glow from the red blankets above, is relaxing across a row of pillows.
"Wow, you really have an eye for design. The flashlight chandelier is a nice touch," he quips.
"I can pretty much make any house a home," she says with a sly smile, knowing full well what they're both thinking.
Kicking off his shoes, Harvey crawls into the fort and squeezes in next to Donna.
"And you're going to be an amazing mother one day…" he remarks.
A blush rises on her cheeks. "Thanks to you, Louis and Robert, I've had lots of practice recently," she volleys back.
Harvey has to catch his breath, his heart suddenly pulsing with an overwhelming wave of love and adoration for this woman. Sometimes, like tonight, he can feel it build inside of him. Other times, like when he's at work or when she just comes to mind, it hits him out of the blue.
Without saying a word, Harvey gently placess his warm mouth on hers. It's a tender, purposeful kiss that takes Donna by surprise, but her body instantly melts into his. With every turn of his head, he deepens the kiss, carefully guiding her closer while their tongues dance in agreement. The butterflies in Donna's stomach scatter in every direction now, sending shivers down her arms and legs. All she can do is follow his very determined lead.
As taken aback as Donna is, she also understands. This is a different kind of kiss, one borne of an overpowering emotional need rather than a physical one. She also knows Harvey well enough to know that the reason for it will show itself soon enough.
Pulling back, she ribs him. "I didn't know you were such a fan of camping."
"I was hoping there'd be a boy scout badge for this." His smile bringing out the laugh lines around his eyes.
Seconds later, Hailey and Henry force their way through the blanketed entrance. "Uncle Harvey, are you camping too?!" The excited boy asks.
"Not sure there's enough room for that, but we can read a bedtime story in here," Harvey offers.
"Let's read The Gruffalo," Hailey suggests. Pulling the book from her backpack, she hands it to Harvey.
"A mouse took a stroll in the deep, dark woods. A fox saw the mouse, and the mouse looked good…," he begins.
Donna can't help but smile to herself. Hearing Harvey Specter read a storybook has pretty much made her day. Every day he provides a glimpse into parts of himself she hasn't yet discovered, and she loves it.
For the better part of a half hour, the foursome huddle under the flashlight chandelier of the giant fort, enjoying the story, its pictures and the closeness it brings. Once the children begin dozing off, the couple carefully tuck them in, and sneak out of the tent.
"Seems to me the fort is quite a hit," Lily whispers as she leans in the doorway. "Your bedroom is ready now. There are fresh towels on the dresser… and two cups of peppermint tea on the bedside table."
"That's so sweet, Lily. Thank you," Donna responds in a hushed voice, careful not to wake the children.
"Thanks, Mom," Harvey whispers back. The mention of peppermint tea awakens another childhood memory. Peppermint tea is his mother's favourite. When he was small, she would come into his room to kiss him goodnight, always with a cup of peppermint tea in hand.
I guess not all my memories are bad ones, he realizes.
Just as the couple is about to head upstairs, Lily gently places her hand on Donna's arm.
"The boys are taking the kids to swim lessons in the morning, and I'm going to walk the trail behind the house. Would you like to join me?" she asks.
Donna is caught off-guard by the offer. Not that she expected to instantly connect with Harvey's mother, but since arriving, she hasn't felt that Lily has cared much for her company.
"I'd like that, Lily," she replies. "I'll see you bright and early tomorrow."
"Good night, Mom," Harvey says.
"Good night, you two."
With that, Harvey slips his hand into Donna's, and they quietly tiptoe up the stairs.