Mr. and Mrs. Specter: New Ventures

Chapter 11

Three weeks later, Donna and Harvey were home in West Chester. The nursery had finally been finished and baby Mackenzie had taken to it at three weeks old better than her older siblings when placed in a big crib. She had gained a whole pound in the time she had been home so Kenzie's mom and dad thought she was a more contented baby than their older two.

Harvey had been home the last three weeks having taken full advantage of paternity leave. Donna was very happy for his presence because he was very good with the children while maintaining some control of the house. In the interim, Roberta, Donna's mother had only come to give them both relief and time to themselves only a few times.

Donna was still very tired three weeks later and was surprised that she had not snapped back into the energetic, happy, woman she had been previously. She did think about her aborted business venture and only mildly regretted that she would not be returning. She faced an uphill battle with Harvey who thought she should return once they discovered who had arsoned her portion of the building. Harvey was absolutely admanant that arson was at the cause of the fire because he had had Mike do a visual inspection before Donna's opening back in October. Anyhow the building remained corded off with yellow tape as a criminal investigation was still being performed.

Donna was sitting in the rocking chair breastfeeding the baby in the nursery with the door closed. Harvey had occupied the children with video games, table games, and Harvey's favorite - movies. Childish fare but once in a while he could sneak one with a little bit more mature content. Amanda would sit and watch them with him and she was very intelligent and would ask so many questions that Harvey had to rewind because he missed his favorite parts.

Suddenly Donna heard his bare feet approaching the nursery. He opened the door quietly. The blinds were shut closing out the bright summer daylight outside. Harvey smiled at the sight before him. He watched his wife look into their new daughter's eyes and heard her softly singing as Kenzie greedily suckled.

Harvey stood and watched for a moment. He remembered when Donna fed Gordon like that and he felt envious for a short minute. When he saw her like this, Donna looked angelic and so like a madonna from a renaissance painting. He stood still and drank in the picture before him until he returned to the moment and remembered his purpose in finding her.

"Donna," Harvey said softly carrying an envelope with him as he quietly padded up to her chair. "The insurance check came."

"Oh?" Donna said as she looked up at her husband whose focus was on the baby she held at her breast. Suddenly Donna closed her eyes as Harvey's focus had been distracted by her own voice and Harvey kissed her softly, tenderly.

"That was nice." Donna said looking up at his face and into his large brown eyes which were soft and deep.

"Yes, it was. I never want to stop doing that."

"Well, that's sort of how we wound up with three kids," Donna chucked quietly as she watched Harvey roll his eyes at her remark. He then answered her smile.

After a minute of just gazing at each other and then watching Mackenzie's little dream expressions, Harvey whispered quietly in his deep voice.

" I just wanted to let you know the check was here and ask you if you plan to go back to your business once the investigation is completed."

"I think she's asleep. I burped her, so I'll put her down if you want to talk about it."

"Sure. Here let me," Harvey whispered taking little Mackenzie from Donna. He kissed the baby gently and as tenderly as he had kissed his wife. While Harvey was taking the baby to the crib, she tucked her breast back in her nursing bra and put the strap up to her shoulder of her tank top she wore under her denim shirt. The air conditioning was set a little higher than normal, but Donna was still cold. Since having the baby and losing that little heater inside her, Donna was readjusting herself to being comfortably cooled on a very warm day with air conditioning. Then, she walked over to the crib and confirmed that Harvey had placed the baby in a safe sleeping position and kissed Kenzie herself. She placed her arm around Harvey's waist and Donna felt the pleasure of Harvey's hand encasing her waist with his own.

All of sudden there was the muffled sound of a crash and then Gordon started crying and Amanda started yelling. Harvey and Donna looked at each other and smiled.

"Well, we knew the peace wasn't going to last," Harvey remarked.

"It reminds me of the whining between you and Louis," Donna said teasing.

"Oooo," Harvey said raising his eyebrows. "You're going to pay for that remark."

"Oooo, I hope so," Donna smiled and led her husband by the hand away from the crib. They both walked out of the nursery and ventured to see what crisis their older children had started.

When Harvey and Donna found their two guilty looking children, they found a bit of a mess. The crash was the antique vase that was filled with fresh flowers for Donna with which Harvey had presented to his wife upon arrival home from the baby's doctor appointment the previous day.

Amanda's big brown eyes looked defiant as she pointed a finger and blamed her younger brother for the tablecloth pulling the vase from the table.

"He did it! He caught and pulled it! All the pretty flowers and that holder is all in pieces. Sorry mommy," Amanda had mentioned at the end of her explanation. Gordon had jumped into the middle trying to defend himself from his sister's blame.

"Daddy, I didn't do it! Mandy pulled it so I couldn't chase her for breaking my car!"

"Enough!" Harvey's stern paternal voice said firmly. "I don't care who did it. You both need to apologize to your mother for having upset the table and spilling her flowers. You also need to apologize to the both of us because your Uncle Louis gave us that vase for our wedding anniversary."

"Sorry, mommy. Sorry, daddy," Gordon said with big sad darkly hazeled eyes looking up at his parents.

"Ok, now. Let's get ready for lunch. Help me clean up this mess and then it is up to the table," Donna said kissing both children on their heads. Harvey then did the same before pulling the chair out for his wife. Donna looked up at him out of the corner of her eye.

"What are you up to, Harvey?" Donna asked and then smiled at both children who giggled at their father's overt politeness.

"Can I just be nice to my wife whom I love very much," Harvey said handing Donna her napkin and then kissing her cheek. She then watched as he went to the kitchen to bring their lunch to the table. Donna smiled as she watched Harvey's back and then she lowered her head to hide her smile from the children. They would both call her out on the little smile and their father's silly ways and ask way too many importuning questions.

Soon as Harvey sat down, they bowed their heads and thanked God for their food they were about to eat. That was a new tradition that Harvey never thought would be a part of him. Thanking God had started with the miracle of Amanda's premature birth and then continued a year later when both Donna and Amanda were in a car accident. The accident left Donna with bumps and bruises and the discovery of pregnancy she had not suspected. Amanda had had pneumonia and was found to be allergic to the antiobiotics the doctors had administered. After an odd experience with what Harvey could only call angels, he had begun to believe in a higher being that did provide protection. Time had only provided more evidence of how any bad situation they faced contained blessings as well.

Both children quietly ate their sandwiches and soup. Donna would switch surreptitious looks between the iPad watching Kenzie's slumber and then to her husband who kept eyeing her with that "we need to talk " look. She knew it was because the insurance check had arrived and Donna would have to finally make a final decision as to rebuild or call it quits. It had been only a couple of months and she still owed her teachers and administrator a few weeks of backpay. She promised she would take care of them.

"Mommy?" Amanda suddenly said. "Oh, sorry, mommy! I didn't mean for you to spill your soup!"

"It's ok, Mandy. I wasn't watching what I was doing. What can I do for you, baby?" Donna asked wiping the soup off her denim shirt with her napkin.

" Can you play a game with us outside?" Amanda whiningly asked Donna. Mandy took a sip of her own Chicken Vegetable soup and looked at her mother pointedly.

"Sure, we can take the iPad outside and keep an eye on your baby sister. What did you want to play outside?"

"How about we wait until Kenzie wakes up and then we can all go outside?" Harvey suggested. He knew Donna was just trying to find a way out of the conversation she knew full well he wanted to have regarding her business.

Donna said, "Ok. I'll have to feed her again, though. She's only three weeks old."

Harvey then looked at his wife in question and then looked at his older daughter.

"We'll see, Mandy. Finish your soup, so you can join your brother outside. Mommy and I have to talk about something," Harvey mentioned to Mandy and kissed the side of her head has he rose from the table to take his bowl back to the kitchen.

"Mandy!" Gordon called from outside the patio window. He had shot out from the table as soon as Harvey had excused them. Gordon started banging on the window.

"Gordon!" Harvey turned swiftly in a no nonsense tone that Gordon should not be banging on the patio window. Gordon quickly retracted his hand and then smiled up at his daddy. Harvey first gave him an admonishing look and then when Gordon looked justifiably sorry Harvey ruefully answered his son somber look by smiling at him. Gordon Michael Specter knew better.

The Specters' backyard was fenced in and neither child knew out to undo the complex gate lock. Not only did it have a manual lock, but the gate was also programmed electronically with only Donna and Harvey knowing the code. Even if either child became curious with unlocking the gate by the code or the manual lock, neither would do it because their father had put the fear of God in them after a little child was struck by a car in front of their house not two weeks ago.

"I'm coming," Mandy called back grabbing her little black softball glove. Donna smiled as she watched her little redhead trudge out the back to play catch with her little brother.

"Don't be long, mommy! I want to show you how good I can throw. Daddy teached me."

"Taught you, honey. Yes, I did. Can't have my little girl not being the best on the softball team," Harvey said with the proudest grin creasing his face. "We'll be outside in a few minutes. I promise."

"Yay!"

Mandy opened the heavy sliding glass door and walked into the bright summer afternoon sunshine temporarily warming the dining room.

Once they both heard the children playing in the backyard, Harvey moved to sit next to Donna who sat at the other end of the table. He held up the check in his hand and waved it at her as he sat.

"Donna, I know you don't want to go back but in the small amount of time that you were open you did very well. Not to mention your assistant is in need of a job. It's not like you to give up like this. What's wrong?"

Donna flipped her head back and looked hard at her husband.

"Donna, you're afraid. I know you're afraid that these people are gunning for you or me through you. I understand that, but you have never been afraid of anything as long as I have known you. You have always had bigger balls than any two men I know including me!"

"I don't want to do it. Whoever arsoned my studio will not relent until they get back at you or me. I don't have the peace of mind to leave the children all day not knowing that you or I may not return that night."

Harvey smirked at her and lowered his head toward her. He looked at her and could see the worry in her big dark green eyes.

"Donna," Harvey said in his "Donna" voice.

"Harvey, think. We have so much to lose now. It's not just you and me. Our children would be without parents. Suppose you have another heart attack and much more severe this time? What if you have such a severe heart attack you go like your father...quickly...with..." Donna swiped a hand over her filled eyes. She looked up at Harvey and sniffed.

"Donna, stop it!" Harvey said vehemently but not loudly or harshly. " You are making excuses now. I'm fine. I'm listening to the doctor and believe me the last thing I want to do is endanger my life. You know I have always been my favorite person."

Donna smiled as he hinted at his old selfish bravado which maybe only she knew was part of the facade that Harvey had worn for many years so as not to appear weak in anyone's eyes.

In lowered tones, Harvey then asked, "Why are you so worried? We run no higher risks than we did before the arson. Only now we're smarter because we know they are out there," Harvey reasoned.

Donna shook her head. "Yes, but I don't want to keep looking over my shoulder. I endangered all my employees. I was lucky to have survived with just a little smoke inhalation and we were so lucky that Mackenzie was born healthy with no residual effects.

Harvey sat there looking into his wife's big watery green eyes. What she then said surprised him so much that he was not sure how to respond.

"Well truth be told, I think you need someone to keep an eye on you at the firm," Donna asked putting a hand on Harvey's arm as it lay on top of his other one on the tabletop.

Harvey scooped his hand out from under his arm and placed his hand over Donna's and kissed her cheek.

"I knew you couldn't get enough of me," Harvey swaggeredly whispered in Donna's ear.

"Mmm," Donna smiled back. "Wrong, there are two just like you outside and one in the crib."

Harvey smiled and kissed her tenderly. He was rewarded with her smile which warmed his heart. There had been too little of her light lately. She was his light and guiding star and without her he felt bereft.

"Well, I do miss you being where I can see you during the day," Harvey said still smiling into her big eyes.

They stayed quietly for a moment and then Donna could resist no longer.

"Could I have my old job back?" Donna only asked because Harvey would make her feel safe again. Since she had given birth three weeks ago, they had rarely ventured out of the house. Harvey knew she was tired after everything, so he attempted to take care of her as he always did. However, she knew he would not be patient for her to come out of this...dare she say it to herself...postpartum depression?

"What do you think I should tell Gloria if I agree to this?"

"I have a twist in my request. I wouldn't exactly be returning to my old desk," Donna said trepidatiously. Although he was her husband, he had still been her boss at the firm. "Besides there are plenty of partners who need a good secretary, and I thought maybe we could give Amelia a job along the way.

"Un-huh, you've run your own business. I knew you wouldn't be happy being my assistant again. What's up your sleeve, Mrs. Specter?"

"In light of that fact and all the experience I have had at the firm, make me Chief Officer of Operations. Also I want a seat at the table. I have enough of my own money saved for the partnership buy-in."

Harvey released her hands and sat back.

"Donna, I know Jessica probably won't object to the promotion and neither would Louis, but partner? You're not a lawyer, Donna. I know I'm your husband and a name partner, but I can't promise you that."

Donna looked at him and then sighed shortly. "I am not talking to you now and asking for this because you are my husband. I am talking to Harvey Specter name partner, my boss, up until a few months ago. I have earned this promotion on my merits and for the job that I have been doing for the last 15 years,"

"How about I talk to Jessica about it?" Donna asked.

"No, Donna. Let me run the promotion by her first. I know she'll be happy that you're coming back to work and I am sure she won't object about the position, but partner? A position with a vote? We need to discuss it, and when I say "we" I mean Louis, Jessica, and myself."

The discussion suddenly stopped as Donna bit her bottom lip as she listened and watched their youngest fuss a little in her crib.

Harvey's eyes followed Donna's as they looked at the iPad and listened to the little noises that Mackenzie made in her sleep.

"Do you think she's ok?" Harvey asked.

Donna consulted the time on the clock and said, "She's like clock work. We have at least another hour before she wants to eat again."

"Listen, I really want this. Besides if I can swing it, I can have the firm hire Amelia as my assistant."

Harvey eyed her and said, "Let me think about it, ok? You're still on maternity leave, so we can take as long as we want to make a good proposal to Jessica and Louis."

"In the meantime, I want to take as much time as possible and enjoy our children before I get back into the swing of things." Donna stated in return and encouraged that Harvey had not given a completely negative answer to her proposal.

"Are you sure you don't want to be CEO and COO of your own business again?"

"Maybe someday, but right now, I think I need to come home to the firm."

Donna cupped the side of Harvey's face and stroked his cheek with her thumb. Her eyes were soft and his returning look had gone from thoughtful and serious to sublime. She saw so much love in his eyes and she did miss their interaction everyday. For many years they spent twelve feet from each other and for the last seven closer than that at home. Donna bent forward and kissed Harvey, a soft slow kiss, letting her lips linger on his enjoying the salty remnants of the soup they had eaten.

They shared a quiet moment and then the joyful squeals of the their two older children bubbled up from outside.

"Mommy, Daddy, come out now!" They both called enthusiastically attempting to draw their parents' attention away from each other.

"We'll be right there!" Their parents called never having removed their eyes from one another.

Another two weeks passed, Harvey accompanied by Louis ventured into Jessica's office who had decided to return after she heard of Mackenzie Specter's birth. Jessica's own forage into adoptive motherhood had temporarily come to a halt.

"Harvey and Louis, what can I do for you two?" Jessica said all business attitude showing.

Harvey and Louis stepped in Jessica's office and took the two chairs in front of her desk which was strewn with files.

"Did we catch you at a bad time?" Louis asked seeing how busy Jessica seemed to be placing file after file on her desk and then her table.

"Not really. Just doing a little housekeeping. I was gone so long and came back so quickly that I have not had time to filter files into storage. So? What's up?"

"As you know, Donna has decided not to return to her business after her maternity leave is up. She wants her old job back," Harvey stated matter of factly.

"Ok. I think that would be great. I know you how you must have missed her," Jessica said smiling. Then as the two still sat there not moving or uttering a word, Jessica realized there was a "but" coming.

"Let me just say, I think this is a terrific idea," Louis interjected.

"Thank you, Louis," Harvey said smiling wide. Their eyes turned then to the managing partner.

"I see. Is this in reference to the email I received about the promotion Donna had in mind for Donna? If it is why isn't Donna here?"

"I told her not to be. That we all knew of Donna's contribution to this firm's continual operation and stability. Now that Donna has had a taste of running her own business, she knows and feels that she would should be recognized and could continue to contribute to the continual operation of this firm in a larger role. She knows she would not be satisfied resuming her job on my desk. So I thought her idea of promoting her when she is ready to return to work was a wonderful idea."

"Ok, promote her as what?" Jessica said intrigued. Jessica had realized a long time ago that Donna was much more than a secretary and that Harvey loved and depended on her for everything. When they wed a few years ago it was anti-climatic because she was Harvey's wife in everything but deed and name.

"As Chief Operating Officer," Harvey said quickly. Both Louis and Harvey sat in anxious silence as they watched Jessica mull through the idea.

"I think that's a terrific idea," Jessica said.

"There is one other thing," Harvey said deciding at the last minute that he wanted this for his wife. She deserved a seat at the table. Harvey's only hope was that Jessica felt the same way. He was not sure about Louis, either, but Jessica was really the only one whose opinion carried the most weight.

"Which is what?" Jessica asked.

"I want to make her a senior partner," Harvey said.

"What?" Jessica asked. She shook her head in the negative. "Absolutely not."

"Why not?" Harvey asked. "No one has done more and been more faithful to this firm."

"Number one she isn't a lawyer, Harvey! Becoming a senior partner or even a junior partner means everything to a lawyer."

"What about you, Louis? What's your opinion? " Harvey asked turning his slightly fuming gaze to his fellow name partner.

"Harvey, don't take this the wrong way, but I agree with Jessica. COO is one thing, but a partner? What would the other partners think?"

"I don't care what the other partners would think. We are the three that matter," Harvey said vehemently.

"I can't have it known she is a partner because the other partners would want to have their wives and lovers in this firm become partners, too."

"That is the reason why there are by-laws, Harvey," Louis did not fail to mention.

"Bullshit! Jessica and I have both broke the bylaws by having affairs with co workers. I did with Scottie. I married Donna. You, Jessica, did it with Jeff. Just because she isn't a lawyer does not mean she should not have a vote! As COO she is still an officer of the firm and as such she gets a vote," Harvey defended vehemently for his wife.

Jessica sat silently for a moment. She raised her hand to stop the sudden loud ruckus which had erupted with Jessica's negative response to Harvey's proposal.

"Enough!" Jessica said firmly silencing her two fellow name partners. "Let me think on this. Would Donna be satisfied being a silent partner? She would still have a vote and a seat at the table but no other partner would know that she had voting rights."

"Yes, I think she would be happy with that. She just wants to come back to work."

"Donna does deserve more recognition for doing what she does above and beyond the call of duty. She takes care of all of us in one way or another," Jessica stated. She loved Donna not only for the care she took care of her right hand guy, but she was a strong, intuitive, intelligent woman who deserved all the kudos and praise for now mixing in being a wife and mother. Something that had never occurred to Jessica but when she thought of being a wife and mother the opportunity had arrived a little late for both.

"Thank you, Jessica," Harvey said as he and Louis rose from their seats to return to their offices.

"Harvey, stay for a minute, please," Jessica said.

Harvey looked one way and then another like a recalcitrant boy being reprimanded for something he did not know he did. He came to stand before her desk with a slightly whipped expression because he knew there would be additional conditions for the position he requested for his wife.

"What is it?" Harvey asked.

"I just wanted to ask you. Why and when did Donna come up with this idea" Jessica asked. She was afraid that Donna's whole experience of losing her business and then almost losing her husband (Jessica had been told of Harvey's latest health difficulties) had led to her wanting to be near her husband more than running the company. Although if Jessica thought about it, she would realize that to Donna all the firm was family and, of course, the most important member of that family, her husband.

"She seems excited. She wants to come back to the firm."

"Yes, you told me that. You now have three children. Do you think Donna is being fair to herself or to us? I know she's more than capable of performing her duties and then some, however, Harvey COO is not exactly a pushover job."

"Are you asking me if I think Donna has bitten off more than she can chew?" Harvey asked back. How was he to know what went on in his wife's beautiful brain? She always could handle anything.

"Look, I know what you're thinking, Jessica. She can do it. If she can't she will tell me. Trust me."

"Ok, Harvey. We'll do it."

After a beat, Jessica then asked.

"What about the investigation into the arson?" Jessica said. "Do you think Donna really doesn't want it to be resolved?"

"I don't know. For once in her life I think she doesn't want to know what happened. She's afraid for any consequences if the arsonist is found."

"Well, tell her she's COO when she returns. I am still thinking about the silent partner business, so don't mention that to her yet."

"Will do, Jessica. Thank you," Harvey said turning to leave her office.