Shouldn't be so complicated. Just hold me and then just hold me again.
- Matchbox 20, Bent
Harvey stalls on his way through to the kitchen, chest expanding as his gaze falls on Donna mid-laugh helping Marcus with the washing up. The house has been at full capacity throughout the day with his family, Bobby, Katie and the kids all exchanging gifts and enjoying a relatively drama free Christmas. There were a few hiccups but nothing major and he knows that's largely in part due to Donna's presence. She seamlessly eased her way in working her charm around any budding conflicts and had no trouble winning over his family. He knew she would. She's has an extraordinary way with people and he steals a moment to simply watch her; the light smile on his face answering his mother's quiet approach.
"She's the someone special isn't she?" Lily asks, her voice soft as she stands next to her son. She liked his last girlfriend. The women was professional and polite but Harvey wasn't in love, not like he is now. It's been written clearly across his face since they arrived and he might not be good at verbalizing it but his tipped nod confirms her suspicions. "Gordon said there was someone, he only met her a couple of times but he thought it might happen one day when you were ready. I know he'd be incredibly proud of you."
He tenses slightly at the mention of his late father. It's still a difficult topic for him and the man had never uttered a single word about Donna but he holds onto the notion that maybe somehow his father had known. "Thank you." He says simply, unwinding the sleeves of his rolled up navy sweater. Marcus and Donna are both wearing something flamboyant and he tries to hone in on the holiday spirit as he gives his mother's arm a quick squeeze. "Merry Christmas mom."
She smiles, glancing up over his shoulder and calling out to the other occupants standing in the kitchen. "Night you two, don't be up too late."
"Night Mom."
"Night Lily, merry Christmas."
Harvey watches her leave and steps up to Donna, running his hands down to her sud covered elbows and placing a kiss against her temple. "Need a hand?"
"That'd be right, come in when we're almost finished." Marcus slaps out his tea-towel smirking at the disinterred glare Harvey shoots back. It's been years since he's seen the uptight lawyer so relaxed and he's spent every minute of the day milking it, reminded of a time his brother wasn't such a hardass.
"Someone had to deal with your rugrats." Harvey throws out, thoroughly exhausted from the last hour he spent trying to get his niece and nephew into bed. It was only when Katie intervened that they finally started to settle and he found himself reading the Gruffalo for the eighth time this trip.
"What can I say-" Marcus picks up a plate, drying it with a grin, "you clearly do the best field mouse impression in this house."
Donna smirks beside him and Harvey dips his hand in the sink flicking bubbles up onto her nose.
"Hey!" She wipes the wetness against his sleeve with a huff, "I'd think very carefully about your next move Specter."
He smiles smugly, raising his arms in mock surrender with a quick glance back to Marcus. "Katie said to remind you she'll be here around nine in the morning." The kids were going to her parents for the day and he raises a curious eyebrow. "Are you going to see George and Carol?"
Marcus winces but part of rebuilding his marriage means mending fences with his in-laws and he gives a sharp nod. "I must be a sucker for punishment."
Harvey's glad to hear the answer and leans in a little closer to Donna his voice filling with humor. "Why don't I pick out a movie, something to match those delightful jumpers."
The sarcasm is evident and she nudges him with her elbow. "Watch it or I'll replace all your cashmere's with nylon when we get home."
"This is why you're getting your own built-in..." he warns rolling his eyes, "so you leave my stuff alone."
"You release that's not a threat right?" She laughs, teasing him playfully. They haven't exactly talked about moving in together but he seems to actually want to go ahead with the idea and she smiles when he leans in placing a quick kiss against her temple.
"Hey, where's mine?" Marcus protests pointing to his cheek and wincing with amusement when he gets a mock slap instead. Donna shakes her head at the antics and when Harvey leaves the kitchen Marcus steps back up to the drying rack curving his lips. "You're good for him you know that."
She blushes taking a plate and dipping it in the warm water. "We're good for each other."
He watches the soft lines of her face, the easiness that seems to be radiating, and nudges her arm with a chuckle, "nah... let's be honest you could do better."
She slaps water at him and he smiles reaching for a glass. He'd always wondered about the odd relationship she'd had with his brother but never said anything. He and Harvey had a tentative one of their own but he'd figured out if he really needed Harvey, Donna was the person to call and he's glad they finally figured things out. "Seriously though... I don't think I've ever seen him this happy."
There's a whimsical note to the observation as she places the last plate on the side, pulling her hands from the suds. She knows it hasn't been easy for him the past year but things seem to be getting back on track and she pulls off the washing up gloves, giving his shoulder a light squeeze. "You'll get there with Katie."
"I really hope so. Thanks Donna." He reaches for the last item that needs drying, forcing a smile, "go on... better get in there before he puts on some political documentary."
"If it's another Kennedy's one I'm leaving him here-" she winks, the grin still fixed to her face as she walks out to find Harvey crouched down with a copy of Die Hard. "That is not a Christmas movie mister."
He turns, lips curving as he throws a protest over his shoulder, "it's set at Christmas, ergo Christmas movie."
She approaches, running her hands lightly over his navy sweater with a teasing smirk, "one more day and then you can go back to being Scrooge. How about Love Actually?"
He groans at the suggestion but she digs her fingers in a little tighter and he plasters on a false smile, trading the box in his hand for the one she's pointing at. "Sure, that was going to be my second choice."
She stifles a chuckle brushing her lips over his hair, "you know this jumper isn't the only Christmassy thing I'm wearing." As expected he stiffens beneath her and she has to suppress an urge to laugh. "I'm just trying to get you in the holiday mood first."
The pressure on his shoulders eases and he glances up with a glint in his eye. "We don't need a movie for that..." his voice is husky, gaze roaming the ridiculous puffy snowman sitting across her chest or more accurately what he's picturing beneath the top. "We can upstairs right now and-"
"Oooh, Love Actually. Good choice!" Marcus drops in the lounger lifting his beer with a wide grin, "might still be hope for you yet Grinch."
Harvey breathes out a groan and Donna removes her hand with a giggle, setting herself up on the two-seater. He watches the glow from the tree highlight her amusement as he puts in the DVD and pushes up throwing the remote at his brother in exchange for the beers he brought out. Harvey hands one to Donna making himself comfortable beside her and resting his fingertips lightly over her thigh. She leans her head on his shoulder, stiffening a yawn and despite her promise of getting him in the 'holiday mood' she's asleep in his lap about half an hour in.
Not that he minds. Taking the opportunity to listen to her soft, steady breathing when Marcus ventures into the kitchen. Being with her is the best gift he could have received this Christmas and he takes a few moments to appreciate how far they've come, glancing up when Marcus returns extending a beer. "Thanks... you remember to put the Turkey in the fridge?"
"I'm going to be having left overs for months." Marcus makes sits back down eyeing the pair on the couch. It's been a full-house with Lilly and Bobby plus the kids but it's been good, less tension in his family than there's been in years and entertaining has been a good distraction, "You guys are welcome to stay a couple of extra days, there's plenty of food."
It's a generous offer but Harvey shakes his head politely declining. "We need to get back to the city. Donna wants to drop in and see her parents for New Years."
He sounds less than impression and Marcus chuckles taking a drink. "Well look at you playing the doting boyfriend."
Harvey glares back absently running his hand though Donna's hair. He and her father haven't exactly seen eye to eye in the past and her mother, well, the last time he saw her was the god awful dinner party but he feels obliged to make the effort. This is it for him. If he has to suck it up and swallow his pride in order to win over her parents approval he will.
"I was kidding bro..." Marcus throws back, a more genuine smile touching his lips, "it's nice seeing you happy. Actually suits you."
Harvey snorts but accepts the compliment because in truth, he is happy. He didn't think he'd ever feel this complete with someone and he leans back letting his attention drift to where Collin Firth is giving an overly sappy proposal.
He doesn't bother suppressing the curve of his lips.
However he decides to ask Donna to marry him, he knows one thing; Mike is definitely not going to be involved. Rachel on the other hand... he might just give her a call in the not so distant future.
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧
AN: Thank you so much for all the reviews for this story! :D I think it might be the longest I've ever written. I have an idea in mind for a sequel but I'm still drafting so will work on some shorter pieces in the meantime. Counting down until Suits is back and hoping for #Darveycanon2019
Happy New Year everyone! xxxxx