HI Again, Getting down to the nitty gritty of this story soon and the fraud will be exposed. However here is our lead up to that culminating and powerful moment. R&R. I hope you're still with me on this little excursion. Thank you - Carebearmaxi
Paula, Donna, and Harvey - Take Two
Chapter 10 - Unease
"No, Alan, we were staying with Lily and Bobby, you don't need to see me home. Besides it looks like you've found a friend for the night," Donna mentioned pointing to Harvey's cousin Miranda whom Alan had been accompanying all night.
"Oh, Miranda? Yes, she is lovely and very good company. She seems to be second cousin to Harvey and one of Lily's art students I discovered. You will also like to know that she is a member of the local theater group here. She is also starring in a local production of The Glass Menagerie."
Donna grimaced viewing the young blonde woman who was saying her goodbyes to her Great Aunt Lily. The woman was petite and looked about 15 years old. Donna raised her eyebrows giving her approval. "Well, do her parents know who she's going home with?"
"Donna, she's young, yes, but she is over 21 so no worries," Alan laughed in response. "That was not right for Harvey to leave you in a lerch like this on your engagement party night."
"Couldn't be helped. Lawyers get emergencies, too, believe it or not. Just like doctors," Donna defended and deflected.
"Oh well, I'm glad everything is ok. I'll call you next week," Alan said clasping her hands and kissing her cheek. "Tell Harvey it was nice to meet him."
"Thank you, Alan," Donna said as her father moved up in the departure line.
"Daddy, are you leaving for the hotel now?"
"Yes, your mother is a little tired and Jim drank a little too much so we're taking a cab back."
"Well, I am coming to see you tomorrow," Donna said giving her father a hug.
"Where did Harvey go in such a hurry? You didn't have a fight over my earlier behavior, did you?"
"No, it was an emergency. He'll be back later or tomorrow. He had to go back to New York. I'm staying with Lily and Bobby. Did you have a chance to meet them? I know Mom has and she thinks Lily is lovely. I think she's pretty good, too."
"After that tribute, I think you must be a miracle worker. I don't know the whole story and I don't want to know. I'm just glad that your in-laws love you."
"Thanks, dad. You'll come to love Harvey, too. He is the best. You'll find out someday."
"Hope so. I apologize for being sour today."
"That's ok. I half expected it. Harvey had wanted to make his apologies to you as well, but by the time he was venturing over to you he had to leave. We both had planned to spend tomorrow with you, but you may be stuck with only me if Harvey doesn't make it back."
"Is that likely?" Jim asked suspiciously. What emergency would take a man away from his fiancee at his engagement party unless it has to do with the woman he knocked up.
"Well, we're sleeping in tomorrow morning so after 11 am would be great. Good night, dear," James Paulsen hugged his daughter and then left with his wife and son.
Lily came over carrying Donna's jacket which she had retrieved from the coatroom and brought with her.
"Everything ok? I saw Harvey left. What happened?" Lily asked as Donna took her blue matching sweater/wrap from her.
"He had an emergency back in New York. He said if he doesn't make it back tonight he will definitely be back tomorrow."
"Oh, I'm sorry. Well, we have plenty of room in the minivan to take you back to our house as planned. We are dropping off Katie and the kids for Marcus as he has to finish closing the restaurant for the night."
Turning to her husband as he approached, Lily said, "Bobby, help Katie with the children, please. It looks like M.J. went out cold."
"Yes, I see. He was so excited. He loves his Aunt Donna. That's for sure," Bobby said winking at Donna.
"Well, he's a sweetie. I love him, too, and Lynnie," Donna responded smiling brightly.
"I'll meet you at the car, hon," Bobby said and walked back in the direction where Katie sat talking with Lynne and rubbing M.J.'s head as it laid on her lap and the rest of his body across two chairs.
"Do you want children, Donna?" Lily asked and then apologized for stating something that was really none of her business.
"Yes, I do. Harvey does, too. I just hope it isn't too late for us," Donna assured Lily that she did not mind the question.
Lily leaned in and kissed Katie and Lynne and a sleeping M.J. in Bobby's arms as they passed them on the way out to the car. Lily turned back to Donna and said, "When we get back, I want to know why Harvey left. I know there's something happening beneath the surface with you two. Marcus knows. Tells me it's none of my business, but I'm Harvey's mother. What bothers him bothers me. So when we get back to the house, we can either have a cup of hot chocolate or a glass of whiskey whatever you'd prefer."
"Lily, I appreciate what you're trying to do, but I don't think I should say anything without Harvey here. It's really his tale to tell."
Lily smiled and stroked Donna's bare arms. "Of course. We can just have some girl talk then if you want. I would really like to know you better anyway. Harvey has told me vital statistics, but I would like to get firsthand knowlege. So if you don't want to talk about why Harvey left, I respect that. No worries."
Donna hugged Lily and said, "Thank you for this evening. We had a great time. You produced a wonderful event. I wanted to thank Marcus, too, since we used his banquet room and the food was outstanding."
"Nonsense. You contributed to your own event as much we did. Harvey's family has always loved him and we are especially happy we can welcome in and his lovely "special person" into the fold of the family."
They smiled at one another for a brief moment and then Lily continued, " Harvey was really surprised by Gordon's old bandmates. I knew how much they all loved Harvey. They were so happy you had tracked them down and requested they play. You really know what makes him happy, Donna. That's a rare love that you and he have. I could not be happier for him."
Lily finished and then hugged Donna tightly.
Donna smiled. When they disengaged from their embrace, Donna looked at Lily and then took a sweeping glance at the room and briefly went over all that had happened there.
"You're son is pretty good in his own right. He's done a lot for me, so the care is mutual. Not that Harvey was always able to express it in words and sometimes our relationship has been on rocky ground. However, I assure you. He is special as well and, now, worth every heartache or rocky time we have ever had together. I am sure you realize this, Lily. He is a good man."
"Aw that's wonderful to hear, Donna," Lily said and hugged her one more time.
Then as Lily said her final goodbyes to Marcus who had returned from seeing his family off, Donna slipped her phone out of her clutch and waited on pins and needles for Harvey to text or call with news.
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Harvey in the meantime had immediately called Penny, Paula's sister.
"Oh, Harvey, Paula wanted me to call you. She's in St. Vincent's."
"Ok, I am on my way there. I'm driving back and should be there by about 3 am."
"She's stabilized but they have kept her for observation until they can be sure she won't miscarry. So far she seems to be doing pretty well since she arrived."
"The baby is ok, though?" Harvey asked frantically.
"Baby's heartbeat is still good. I was there. They did an internal ultrasound and the baby is holding its own despite the blood loss."
"Where are you, Penny?"
"I'm still at the hospital. I'll leave when you get here."
"By the way," Penny interjected before Harvey could disconnect. "I am sorry to have interrupted your party, dear. I just thought you should know about Paula."
How did Paula and Penny find out about the engagement party? Oh well. Harvey said, "No, that's fine. I told Paula to always call me if there was an emergency. Just because I didn't marry her doesn't mean I am a total prick."
"No, I see that. You know, Paula did tell me you were one of the good guys. Thank you, Harvey."
Harvey just hit his disconnect button.
"Well, he's on his way like you said he would be if anything happened," Penny stated to Paula who was lying drowsy against the pillows of the hospital bed. They had given her something for the pain and to slow the cramps hoping that Paula's body would react and allow the pregnancy to continue.
"Good. What time did he think he would arrive here?" Paula said drowsily. Penny pulled the blanket up over her.
"He said about 3. He was coming straight here from Boston by car. I'm sure he would have flown, but I think a car would be faster at this point. Why don't you get some sleep, if you can. I'll be here until Harvey gets here."
"You're going to be uncomfortable. I know how you are when you're treating a patient who keeps you up all night. You hate hospitals."
"Mental hospitals, dear. Just because I work in the mental health industry like you doesn't mean I have to like my environment," Penny joked and kissed her sister on the forehead.
Paula shifted a little like she was suffering from a cramp.
"Are you still having those cramps?" Penny wondered. If Paula miscarries this whole plan of hiding the pregnancy from Eddie will be naught.
"Just a little. I think the bleeding has stopped," Paula said.
"Well, I can take a look if you want," Penny offered.
"No, the night nurse should be coming in soon. Thank you anyway," Paula said. She focused a minute on her older sister whom she resembled. "I am so glad you were here. I can't imagine what I would have done had I been alone."
"Oh, nonsense, sister dear," Penny retorted. "You're a resourceful girl. I'm sure you would have done the right thing."
Paula smiled again and then yawned. " I think you're right. I will try to sleep before Harvey arrives."
"Goodnight Paula," Penny said as she shut the light off over Paula's head. She then took a seat at the couch across the room from where her younger sister lay. She pulled her purse up to her lap and removed her Kindle and fired it up to read.
About a half hour later, the night nurse had crept into the room and woke Paula to check her vitals and the fetal heart monitor to which they had hooked her. She felt under Paula and removed the pad and placed another one underneath her to pick up any moisture or blood still being released from her body.
"Nice and dry. No fresh blood, Dr. Agard. Looks like the medicine may be working. I will contact Dr. Moss and have her take a look. Would that be ok?"
"Sure, Beth," Paula said addressing the night nurse. "What time is it?"
"It's almost 3 am. You've been sleeping very peacefully it seems and the baby seems to be doing well. Heartbeat is very strong," answered Beth a tall dark haired woman. "It looks like your sister is fast asleep as well."
Beth pointed in the direction of Penny who had fallen asleep with her Kindle held in her arms as she lay on the couch.
Paula looked over at her sister and smiled. She was very glad her sister had returned to the USA without their mother. The sisters' mother made them both promise that one of them would insist she come across the Pond as soon as the baby was born which was not for another five months by Paula's doctor's calculations. In her Machiavellian manipulation of Harvey, Paula had moved the baby's due date ahead by six weeks. So for as Harvey's benefit of being kept in the dark about the truth, Paula's pregnancy was six months along not four months give or take a few days.
Just before Beth left, Harvey had arrived looking worried and disheveled as if he had been traveling in a car for the past five hours. In fact he had. He had driven he and Donna in his own car to Boston and rode the turnpike all the way back to New York in record time. He was fortunate in that a trooper had not picked him up on his radar and stopped him for speeding or driving under the influence since Harvey had ingested quite a bit of Scotch while at the party. Harvey was sober as a judge now. The last few hours in the car thinking intensely of what was happening to his child; for he was almost convinced the baby was his, and if Donna would continue to be accepting of this situation after the baby came. Harvey put the thought of Donna leaving him now out of his mind . The continual berating of himself for not better insisting Paula have the blood test to permanently put he and Donna's minds at rest with either outcome was a constant nagging in the back of Harvey's brain ever since Paula had told him she was pregnant.
Paula smiled when she saw who came in the door.
"You came!" Paula whispered excitedly reaching out a hand to Harvey. He took it and she immediately placed it on her belly.
"You feel that? He's moving. He's doing well the doctor says. If I don't have any more bleeding or cramps I'll be able to go home tomorrow," Paula said happily.
"Paula," Harvey said removing his hand from her belly. "I'm glad Penny called me. I did say I wanted to be called in an emergency and this is an emergency. Are you in pain?"
"No not anymore. I was so scared. I kept thinking I was going to lose this precious one," Paula said cradling her little bump.
"Well, I am glad the baby is ok and you're out of pain. What would you like me to do for you while I'm here? I do have to get back to Boston. I left Donna with my family. Her family is up there as well, so we had some plans for the rest of the weekend."
Paula lowered her gaze. Always Donna. I am so sick of her. Even when we were together he couldn't stop thinking of her.
Looking up into Harvey's kind but tired eyes, she said, "Well, if you want, you could take Penny's place. She needs to go home and get into her own bed. She's been here the whole time."
Harvey smiled. "Sure. I can do that. I will even call her a cab."
"Thank you, Harvey."
Harvey took that as his cue and walked over to Penny and gently woke her up. Penny was glad Harvey was there now and grateful that she could go home to her own bed.
"You'll let me know if they release her or whatever, right?" Penny whispered as it seemed Paula had fallen back to sleep.
"Yes, of course. Goodnight Penny," Harvey said as he walked her to the taxi stand of the hospital entrance.
After Penny had been put in the cab, Harvey took that minute to text Donna. He hoped he had not awaken her, but she knew to be up for his call and she was used to him calling her in the middle of the night even before they had become a couple.
Just as he was going to text, Donna's specific ring tone startled Harvey.
"Hey," Harvey answered. "I missed you the minute I got in the car."
"That's a nice thing to say. I missed you the minute you walked away from me. Hey, Harvey, how's Paula?"
"She's good. She was in pain with cramping and bleeding but the night nurse said she has stopped and the baby is in good shape. They had Paula hooked up to the fetal monitor."
"That's good," Donna said. Although Donna hated the fact that Paula was pregnant with what could be Harvey's baby, she still did not wish ill will on her. Donna had been through the pain of miscarrying, and it was hell. However, if Paula was as far along as she said she was, they may have risked her having a super premature baby if the pains had not stopped.
"Donna," Harvey said in a voice that Donna recognized.
"No, Harvey, you have to come back here. We were going to hash things out between you and my father," Donna said becoming irritated.
"Look, I will only be here until either Paula goes home or they make some other determination about her condition. The minute I feel it is safe to leave. I will. I can't do any other."
"I know you can't. Fine, then, I'm coming home as well."
"No, stay there. Your father already thinks I'm a horrible man. Stay and enjoy Boston. Beside my mother really wanted to get to know more about you."
"Yeah, about that. I haven't told her about Paula and the baby."
"Oh, good. I didn't want to bring that up unless we were together."
"So how do you expect me to keep hedging your mother's questions? She's not stupid, Harvey. She knows that there's something brewing between us just below the surface."
"What? Did we give off bad vibrations or something? I distinctly remaining by your side the entire time with my arm around your waist or my lips in your hair." Harvey said half smiling trying to lighten the sudden heaviness of their conversation.
"She's your mother, Harvey. Mothers and fiancees have telepathy and empathy and can usually figure if something is wrong with their sons and husbands-to-be."
"No, you're "Donna". What's my mother's excuse?" Harvey sarcastically remarked. Then returning to Donna's question of hedging his mother's importunings.
"I don't know what to tell her, but I know you'll think of something."
"Well, keep me posted. I will make the best of it while you're gone," Donna said and then hung up.
As soon as his phone shut off, Harvey closed his eyes and pursed his lips in frustration.
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Donna who had been sitting in Lily's kitchen was a bit startled when Lily dressed in a flannel bathrobe with her arms crossed in front of her came into the kitchen.
"Want to talk about it?" Lily offered.
"Not exactly. Thanks, Lily. I just wanted to make sure Harvey arrived back in New York in one piece."
"I assume he did?"
"Yes, he's fine."
Donna then looked up and smiled. Donna was still dressed in her gown. When they had arrived home, Lily and Bobby had proceeded upstairs to get ready for bed leaving Donna to her own devices. Lily said help herself to anything she wanted, so Donna went into the recreational room which overlooked the backdeck and decided to pour herself a glass of Macallan 18 since it was Harvey's favorite liquor. In the dark, Donna went out and sat on the backporch with her wrap still over her blue peek-a-boo gown. There she had contemplated how to get Harvey out of Paula's grasp instinctively knowing full well that Paula was playing Harvey for a fool. That was when Donna decided to call Harvey for an update.
Within a few minutes of speaking to him, Donna had come back inside the house because a sudden chill had taken over while she had been speaking with Harvey. She settled once again at the kitchen table which was where Lily found her when Donna had disconnected.
At Lily's words, Donna looked up again and brushed a piece of hair away from her face. Her long red locks had been curled and sprayed and now from the wear and tear of the evening they were starting to droop. She watched as Lily reached for a glass in the cupboard and took a bottle of water from the refrigerator and poured the liquid into the glass. Lily then poured into her hand a couple of Advils.
"All of a sudden, I have got the worst headache. I just came down to get a couple of Advils and some water. I didn't mean to interrupt," Lily said turning around to look at her future daughter-in-law.
"You didn't. Harvey and I were finished talking," Donna said. She placed her phone back in her purse and then yawned. "I'm going to up to bed now. I'm really tired. Thank you for everything, Lily. We truly appreciate it," Donna hugged her and then went up to bed.
Meanwhile Harvey had fallen asleep in Paula's room. When he woke, he sensed the day was in full swing as bright sunlight poured through the non-blinded window of the room. He blinked and rubbed his eyes and looked down and realized he was still dressed in his formal wear from the previous evening. He looked over at Paula who was asleep. The monitor had been disconnected and shut off, so the constant beeping had stopped. That was probably what had awoken him as he remembered being lulled to sleep by the sound.
"Morning, Mr. Specter," Beth had come in the room to check on Paula.
"Good morning. What time is it? Looks like my phone battery ran out," Harvey said looking down at the black screen after having removed it from his jacket pocket.
"It's about seven. I'm going off shift now and I just wanted to check on Dr. Agard for the day nurse. By the looks of things you were pretty well out of it."
"I drove a long way to get here earlier this morning. Hey I noticed the monitor is off and disconnected. Is everything ok?"
"Seems to be. The doctor had come in earlier today and said her bleeding had stopped and she is good to go home today."
"Thanks for that Beth," Harvey said. "Beth?"
Beth turned around as she was leaving to look at Harvey.
"Do you think I could speak with Dr. Moss?"
"I can see if she is still here. She had a baby to deliver earlier along with checking on Dr. Agard, so she may have gone home."
"Can you check for me? I would really like a word with her."
"Sure. Be right back," Beth said and left Harvey in the room with Paula.
In the meantime, Harvey stepped over to the window and noticed how bright and sunny the late April day had dawned. He thought about Donna up there where not only his family but hers was as well. He also wondered about that Alan guy. The one who seemed to predatorily stalking his young second cousin, Miranda. Harvey had not been close to most of his family over the last twenty years, so he could barely remember when Katie had mentioned who she was. Katie had were briefly introduced the two second cousins, and it was not long before Harvey was giving Alan the "better not touch my cousin" look. The look was not lost on Donna and told him to calm down. She would make sure that Alan behaved himself.
"Harvey," Paula said waking up. "I'm so glad you stayed here."
"Well, I told you I would. I'm afraid, though, I'm going to have to go back to Boston. I hear you might be going home today Beth told me; so I thought I would just wait until I hear the doctor give you the release papers and then I'll drive you home myself."
"That's kind of you," Paula mentioned sleepily. "I'm so glad I'm having our baby."
Harvey did not know how to answer that without hurting her, so he turned away from her saying nothing.
They had shared some small talk about Paula's sister and the rest of her family and their reaction to her becoming pregnant. There was nothing hard about the conversation and Harvey was still good at keeping things to himself even though his arrogant demeanor and emotional unavailability had turned reasonable and softer since he and Donna had finally stopped their dance of supposed platonic feelings. He was still a good poker player and a lawyer, so all that entered into revealing and not revealing anything to Paula; especially, of Donna's suspicions and the topic of conversation he had planned with the doctor without Paula's presence.
Soon Paula fell back to sleep which he thought was probably a symptom of the medication they had given her to slow the cramping. She seemed calm almost as if she had been back on her psych meds. Harvey could not be sure, so he continued to be quiet and not awaken her.
Before she had fallen asleep, Paula had said that her phone charger was in her bag. He could use it if he wanted. So, Harvey took the liberty of finding it and plugging in his phone to see if any more messages had come from Donna. He looked down at the lock screen which was taken on the night he proposed. The maitre'd of the restaurant was more than happy to do it. Eight a.m. it read in big white numbers. He unlocked the phone and found nothing. Nada. Nothing from Donna nor his family, so he figured everything was calm and peaceful up there. That was good. The last thing he wanted was to walk into a bee's nest of issues.
The door opened and Dr. Moss stepped in. She was a petite little woman with bright blonde hair tied back in a bun and big green eyes which one only noticed when she removed her large round spectacles from her face.
"Mr. Specter, you wanted to talk with me?"
"Yes," Harvey said.
"Well, let me examine the mother of your child before we talk. It seems she is still asleep?"
"She just fell back to sleep. Listen could we speak alone?"
"Not really what I am supposed to do being that you aren't legally her husband," Dr. Moss stated.
"I am the baby's father. At least that's what she tells me," Harvey said.
Dr. Moss nodded. She figured there may have been some difference of opinion about paternity when she saw them at Paula's last office appointment. She knew that Harvey had some rights as the "father" of the fetus, but then again he did not seem sure.
"Ok, Mr. Specter, let's step outside," Dr. Moss said.
They walked down the hall to the little recreational area. There was no one there at the moment, so they sat down on a cushioned bench seat and began to talk.
"Ok, Mr. Specter what is the issue?"
"Look, I don't pretend to be an expert in the medical field especially about pregnant women. However, I am an expert in the law and if you do not tell me what I need to know I have the grounds for a court order to reveal Paula's medical records," Harvey said. He only wanted to cajole not threaten but this game between he, Paula, Donna and the coming child had to cease if he were ever to have a peaceful life with Donna, the woman he so consummately loved.
"Ok, Mr. Specter, what exactly did you want to know?" Dr. Moss said. She knew the HIPPA laws as well so she would play circumspectly with Harvey Specter. She knew of his reputation as most of the medical and legal world did.
"How far along is she?"
"I can't tell you that, but if you are the father of that baby then you should know how far along she is."
"You do understand that Paula is bipolar with tendencies toward mania and then depression. You were the one to tell her she was pregnant after her attempted suicide, right?"
"I remember seeing something about that in her medical records but I don't remember how long ago her attempt was."
"I do. It was approximately six months ago. Around Thanksgiving," Harvey said. He felt he was hanging on the edge of a precipice clinging to the words that would come out of the obstetrician's mouth.
Dr. Moss screwed up her little bow shaped mouth enhanced by pink lipstick and her eyes squinted as if she were trying to remember something.
"So obviously you must have been together before that," Dr. Moss said calculating the months between Paula's pregnancy and the suicide attempt.
Harvey could not wait, so he decided to goad the doctor into confessing the age of Paula's unborn baby.
"We had sex two weeks before her attempted suicide. Things happened and I ended it and that's when Paula tried to off herself. So if she became pregnant before her suicide attempt, would she not be about six months along now? I do remember seeing my sister-in-law carrying both my niece and nephew at around that time in her pregnancies and I have to say she had a bit bigger belly than Paula is."
"Different women different pregnancies. There really is no standard size of a woman's belly when she is pregnant, so if that's what you're going by then that would not hold up as evidence that she is not carrying your child. Gestational age is what you want, Mr. Specter."
"Ok. Then can you tell me how far along Paula is? Please," Harvey pleaded.
Dr. Moss hung her head because she knew she held the answer about the age of Dr. Agard's unborn baby on her tongue. In the few times she had spoken with him and seen him in Paula's company, she came to see Harvey Specter as a caring, loyal man who was in it for the long haul. She did not understand the more complex issues of Paula and Harvey's relationship and why he would not marry the woman carrying his baby;but unless it had to do with the immediate health and welfare of her patients then it was really none of her business. Dr. Moss had an ethical decision to make and she was taking her time in making it.
"I usually strong arm corporate foes and clients to see things my way, but this is not the situation for that. I am just asking for honesty for personal reasons. However, I can get a court order which could hurt Paula's delicate unmedicated mental state and, therefore, could affect the child. I just need to know the age of the baby to confirm it is mine. I have begun to feel that I may be the innocent victim of manipulation and I do not like being put in that position."
"Ok, so you say you may be the victim of a manipulation, but if I reveal the gestational age of my patient's baby, and it is not what you expect, the result may not be good for her either. My end goal with Paula as with all my patients is to see she gives birth to a healthy baby. So bring that court order, Mr. Specter. Because I am not trading my ethics for your peace of mind."
"Then I will have a court order with me next time we talk. In the meantime if you are going to release Paula, I will continue to do the right thing and take her home and see that she and the baby are good."
After Harvey drove Paula home which was around noon, he decided to go home to his condo for a few minutes before he ventured back up to Boston.
"Donna!" Harvey excitedly exclaimed. Happy to see her did not describe the feelings that were mixed in the pit of his stomach in the light of how they had ended their phone call in the wee hours of the morning.
"Harvey," Donna said and ran into his arms. She held him tightly as he held her. They shared a breathless kiss and then Harvey disengaged just enough distance to search her with his eyes. He had still held her hands in his.
"How's Paula?' Donna's large dark green eyes asked. She knew how worried he had been and was mainly concerned with his reaction if something should go south.
"She's good. I drove her home...I am so glad you're here, but how?" Harvey asked as not letting go of her he drew her to a seat on his couch where they sat back and Donna immediately sat with her head on his shoulder. His one arm immediately snaked around her back and landed on her waist squeezing her gently but unmistakenly.
"Alan came over this morning bereft of your cousin and offered to drive me back here."
"What about the plans we had with your family and mine?"
"Well, I called my parents and they decided that now was not a good time to hash things out, but they made me promise that we visit them in a few weeks to really have a good visit where they could get to know you better," Donna said raising her head enough to see the lipstick she had left on his lips. With her thumb, she sweeped it over Harvey's lips. He puckered and kissed her thumb as it stroked by.
Donna smiled. She resumed her former position with her head on Harvey's shoulder and said, "Now your family expects the same thing. I assured your mom and stepdad that everything was fine. I thanked her and I gave her the present I had picked out for her on our way up there the other day."
"You gave my mom a present?" He was always amazed at how thoughtful Donna was to others although it should not have been a surprise because she had always taken care of everything for him including remembering to buy gifts for those of his family he had been close with over the last twenty years.
"What did you get her? I'm curious." Harvey said turning his head to see her with his dark brown eyebrows raised and smiling with a smirk.
"Well, if you must know, I figured your mother was a brooch type of woman. So, I was in the jewelry section of that little shop we stopped in on the way up and I saw this beautiful brooch with Michaelangelo's Creation of Adam on it."
"Ok, I know who Michaelangelo is but I am lost as to what painting you're talking about. I don't care either. Did mom like it?" Harvey wondered.
"Yes, she loved it. I saw her wearing it on her scarf when I left this morning."
"Good."
He kissed her then.
Donna broke the kiss and pulled away.
"Harvey, what aren't you telling me?"
"I don't want to talk about it right now. I just want to take you to bed and spend the afternoon how we should have spent our night," Harvey said kissing her.
"No, no," Donna said. "Tell me what the deal is or you're not getting any of this" She pointed to herself and made an up and down motion.
Harvey sighed and sat back.
"I don't know. I was in the room with Paula and I got the feeling that she wasn't telling me the truth. I mean on the way down I was convinced she was carrying my baby and then I woke up after an uncomfortable nap on the couch in her room and I thought what if she was just stringing me along out of vengeance. I've had enemies, but that type of play is mean."
"So, what was it that finally let you really see what she may be doing to you? Because I knew no matter what I said, you weren't buying any of it."
"I know this may make you uncomfortable, but this what really put it in my mind," Harvey said sitting forward and removing his arms from around Donna. Instead his folded hands sat between his spread legs. Donna came to sit forward, too, and placed a hand on his crossed arms. Harvey turned his dark brown gaze into Donna's concerned dark green eyes.
"When I arrived in the middle of the night, Paula had just woken up and reached for my hand. I, unthinkingly, gave it to her and she placed it on her stomach so I could feel the baby squirming. Now I have not done that on my own. I don't feel that type of affection for her, so I just wanted to stay physically separate from her. I didn't want her to get the wrong idea."
"Ok, so what happened after you put your hand on her belly? Did you feel the baby move?"
Harvey had been looking away thinking of that moment and then looked up at Donna with a hint of a revelation coming to his mind.
"I didn't feel anything. I also thought she was a little small for as far along as she said she was."
"Well, I can't be sure, Harvey. I have been told by many a pregnant girlfriend that sometimes the mother feels movement but the father can't because the baby is still...too small..." Donna trailed.
"Exactly," Harvey saw realization hit Donna's eyes.
"What did you do?"
"I talked with Dr. Moss, Paula's obstetrician. I told her of my suspicions and she explained she could not tell me legally how far along Paula really is. So I told her I would get a court order and she would be forced to hand the records over."
"I gather your threat didn't do any good," Donna said placing her hand on Harvey's shoulder and stroked it comfortingly.
"Look, maybe we don't have to do that," Donna said as she watched Harvey rise and walk to the refrigerator. He opened it and pulled out a bottle of water. He silent offered one to her and Donna nodded; so he brought one over for her, too.
"So what do you suggest?"
"Paula and I happen to have doctors of the same gyno firm. I have a check up scheduled for next week. I could, perhaps, do a little snooping of my own and see what I can find."
"Donna, that's illegal to be snooping in other people's medical records without a court order. Didn't Liberty Rail teach you anything?"
"Yes, it did, Harvey but I'm not going to do anything blatant. If I couch a request in the right terms with the right doctor I may be able to find what we need."
"No, why don't you just let me get a court order for her to either take the test or release the medical records?"
Donna gave Harvey a dubious look. "Because then your ethics are on the line. You don't think she will retaliate."
"She can't. Conflict of Interest," Harvey said. "Louis is her lawyer."
"She had a different lawyer before him, remember?"
"Yes, but I don't think she ended it on good terms with him."
"Harvey, ZSLWW is not the only firm in NY, you know?"
"You're right, Donna. I see what you mean. Ok, we'll try it your way then. But be careful. I don't want to have to marry you on your way to prison and have our wedding night spent in a conjugal visit room," Harvey said smiling with a warning.
Donna nodded. She understood how serious the situation was. There was nothing more she wanted then to get rid of Paula, not hear anymore about the baby that was probably not Harvey's, nor have any abhorrent memory of Dr. Paula Agard.
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In the two weeks that went by before Donna's check up, Donna had an odd visitor to her office.
Her assistant, Charlie showed him in.
"Eddie? What are you doing here? If Paula happened to see you here it would not bode well for your case." Donna rose from behind her desk and allowed him to pass inside before she closed the door.
"I'm sorry to bother you, Donna, but I wanted to let you know that I have dropped the case against Paula. I'm just really tired of fighting her and trying to make her need me."
Donna took a walk back behind her desk and sat down. She sat straight as a board with her hands folded over her tablet.
"Well, that's good, but I don't understand why you need tell me. I have nothing to do with it."
Eddie shifted in his seat. He was dressed in his expensive suit with his brown curly hair falling over one eye. He was a handsome man in many respects. He was once a respected doctor, so Donna could see the attraction that another female professional would have for him.
"I know Paula is pregnant, but she won't level with me and tell me it's mine. She insists its Harvey's. I know for sure it can't be."
He grabbed her attention now.
Donna said, "Hold that thought, Eddie. Let me call Harvey. I think he needs to hear this."
Eddie shut his mouth and watched as Donna picked up her office phone to ring Harvey's office. Unfortunately his assistant picked it up.
"Yes, Ms. Paulsen," Gloria his assistant answered.
Donna normally corrected her to call her Donna but this time it was too critical to find out why Harvey had not picked up his private line.
"Where's Harvey?" Donna asked trying to remain calm.
"Mr. Specter is in court. He's on that Pond's slander case. It looks like he might be gone quite a while."
Donna made a face and tapped her fingers on her desk. Swift thoughts: Harvey must really be agitated today. He didn't say goodbye this morning and we didn't do our new ritual before this trial.
"Thank you, Gloria. I'll catch him later," Donna said hanging up.
"Ok, Eddie. I would prefer Harvey be here to hear your suspicions, but I will talk to him later. I will have him call you directly should he have any questions. Would that be sufficient?"
Eddie ran a hand over his curly brown hair trying to make unruly curls remain in one place but to no avail. He sighed a heavy sigh debating whether to just tell Donna and stay with his one goal or to actually wait until he could see Harvey on his own.
"Ok, Donna. I will tell you alone as I had intended because to tell you the truth Harvey intimidates me and I am usually not that easily intimidated."
Donna smirked. She totally understood. Harvey's arrogance was always the one characteristic that made him unapproachable. Donna and a few others saw through that and knew that Harvey was covering underneath his own fears and insecurities in certain situations.
"Don't let Harvey scare you. His bark is worse than his bite." Donna snorted a laugh.
"Ok, Eddie. Tell me why you "know" that Paula's carrying your child and not Harvey's."