I know I have been terrible at keeping on top of this. I seem to only write when I get the urge but hopefully I will have more coming your way soon. Let me know if you want me to continue with it.
Disclaimer I own none of suits nor its amazing characters.
Harvey lay down on the couch, every muscle in his body was tired. This had to have been the longest 24 hours of his life and that was saying something when you worked in a prestigious law firm in New York. Mike had finally been discharged but he was even angrier then before he ended up in hospital. Harvey wanted to yell at him for it but he knew that was not the place to start. The car ride home was quiet. Mike refused to talk to him, instead opting to look out the window as the trees passed by. Harvey tried to coerce a conversation from him but no matter how many attempts he made, he failed. Harvey wasn't used to failing but he also couldn't take it anymore so unwillingly gave up. Instead he relaxed back into his seat, staring out the opposite window. He knew he was going to have to call for help. It killed him to admit it but he was running out of ideas to find a solution. The moment he walked through the door Mike slammed the door to his bedroom and hauled up in there. Harvey sighed, the conversation would have to be postponed till tomorrow. He picked up his phone and found the number he was looking for. He stared at it for a moment before dialling. He could feel his heart drop just from having to have this conversation.
"Marcus, I need you," Harvey sighed reluctantly into the phone, to his little brother.
He heard Marcus' confirmation and he hung up. He knew he would make it up to New York by the following day. Mike worshipped Marcus, the way he used to worship Harvey. He couldn't deny the jealousy he felt whenever he saw them bond together more than Mike was willing to with Harvey. He was thankful though that Mike still had someone even if he didn't get to see him regularly.
Harvey awoke to the blaring of his alarm at eight in the morning. He hit the snooze button and rolled over groaning. He dragged his hands over his eyes trying to remove the sleep from them. He was not mentally prepared for this day. He groaned once more for good measure. He couldn't believe it had been five minutes when the snooze went off. He felt like tossing the alarm clock against the wall but stopped himself. He stretched, getting up and strolled towards the bathroom. He knew showering would at least clear his head but he felt dead on his feet and he needed to feign cheeriness to even attempt to provoke the much needed conversation with Mike. He threw on his sweat pants and t-shirt. It felt odd to have a day off, it had been so long since he had had one of these kind of days. It was necessary though. He threw together the batter and chocolate chips, to make the pancakes. That was a good start he thought. He cooked up a feast, the smell of cooking filling the kitchen as the soft sounds of Jazz floated through the room. A dull thud on the door called Harvey's attention at ten. Harvey smiled, pulling the door open. He greeted his baby brother who was grinning up at him. He pulled Marcus into a bear hug, he was one of the only people he felt comfortable enough with to do this, Mike used to be one of those people but not lately. Harvey couldn't pinpoint the last time he truly hugged Mike and was hugged back.
"Marky, it's so good to see you," Harvey said patting his back.
"You too, Harvey," Marcus said smiling at his brother. "Where is my nephew?"
"He's in bed asleep, a proper teenager," Harvey said rolling his eyes.
"Okay Harv, then let's talk about what's going on?" Marcus said.
Harvey sighed. "He hates me, Marcus. He just completely hates me. I don't know what to do anymore. I don't even know when it got this bad."
"Harvey, it's going to take time. Mike's a good kid. He's smart and sweet. He used to worship the ground you walked on Harvey and he still does, he just doesn't know it." Marcus said trying his best to give any bit of solace he could to his brother.
A half hour later, Harvey loaded the plates with food as Marcus headed to his nephews room. Harvey watched him knock on the door, he heard the grumble that came from behind the door before it forcefully swung open. Mike's hair was long and spewed across his face. He could see the angry scrawl across Mike's face and then the sudden realisation. A smile spread as he took in his uncle. He jumped out of his room and hugged the man in front of him. Marcus laughed pulling his growing nephew into his arms.
"Uncle Marcus, what are you doing here?" Mike said excitedly.
"I'm here to see you, kid. I see a number was done on your face." Marcus said gently holding Mike's face taking in his broken nephew.
Harvey watched the transaction take place and felt the same empty jealousy in the pit of his stomach. "Hey guys, breakfast is ready," Harvey said calling both of their attention.
They headed over to the island sitting down at the counter, as Harvey dropped the plates in front of them.
"Mikey, we need to talk about what happened?" Harvey started calmly.
"Don't call me that," Mike interrupted.
"Mike," Marcus warned.
Mike looked up at his uncle and sighed. Harvey watched the exchange as his son obeyed his brother, he sighed gathering himself together.
"Mike, we need to talk about what happened? You ended up in hospital for fighting and drug use and you're fifteen years old, Mike," Harvey said as calmly as possible. "Just what was going through your head?"
"I was bored. I wanted a high and the fight wasn't meant to happen. I'm sorry it did but it wasn't supposed to happen," Mike said the most sincere Harvey had seen him for a while.
"Mike, you did Ecstasy. This isn't something light, this is a huge deal, you're 15," Harvey emphasised.
"What do you want me to say, Harvey?" Mike yelled finally losing his cool.
"Mike we're just worried about you," Marcus said trying to calm the teenager.
"Kid, I love you and I don't want anything to happen to you. You did what you did though and actions have consequences," Harvey said.
"So what now you're going to try and be a parent," Mike taunted.
"Your god damn right I am," Harvey yelled.
"Well what are you going to do, dad?" Mike drew out his name like an oath, rolling his eyes at the same time.
"This summer, you're not going to stay with your uncle or your Grammy or hang out with your friends. You will spend each and every day in Pearson Hardman working your god damn ass off. You will be everyone's lack dog, hell you will be the mail room boy and you will not get a single break. As for your friend Trevor, speak to him again and you will wish I sent you to military school, you hear me Michael James Spector. It's time you learnt what responsibility is." Harvey watched for Mike's reaction but the kid was stone, not a single emotion flickered across his face.
"I don't think so," Mike grunted.
"God dammit, Mike," Harvey stressed. "Don't argue me on this point. I want us to do better kid. We both need to do better."
Mike watched his father for a few moment before he nodded in agreement.
The rest of the of the morning they all sat quietly eating breakfast. Marcus filled them in on his life in Boston. He was finally making good, he had settled down with a girl and was working solidly. Harvey was proud of his little brother. Mike had changed all of their lives, including Marcus' life. The day the sweet blonde two year old showed up at his door was life altering for all of them. Harvey was only twenty seven, his first year working back in Pearson Hardman after the DA's office, everything after that was a balancing act. Marcus and Grammy had been there for the first few years, Harvey worked insane hours and fought to earn his spot in the company. He was finally at a place he could relax and Mike hated him.
"So what do we have planned for today, then?" Marcus said finally standing up.
"Well, I say we should go to the batting cages while Harvey works," Mike said finally removing the scowl from his face.
"That sounds like a great idea, kiddo but your dad isn't working today," Marcus said smiling at Mike, whose jaw dropped as he stared at Harvey.
They slipped into the town car, Marcus being the peacekeeper and taking the middle seat between Harvey and Mike as Ray drove them out to Brooklyn to the batting cages there. Harvey first took Mike to them when he was six and could finally swing a bat with some force and accuracy. They were out at Grammy's for thanksgiving like they did every year. It felt a lot more homey and like the holidays Harvey had once enjoyed as a kid. The drive out Mike had been buzzing, they were staying the whole weekend and it was the first time he had promised Mike he wouldn't work and meant it. The minute they walked through the door the smell of turkey and pumpkin pie filled the air. They both stepped in sighing, it finally felt like they were home. Mike ran to his grammy and hugged her tightly.
"Happy thanksgiving, Michael," She said kissing his forehead. "I made some sugar cookies, they are in the kitchen why don't you go grab one."
"Hi Edith," Harvey said kissing her on the cheek.
"Hi dear, happy thanksgiving. Why don't you sit down we need to talk," she said setting down a tray of muffins. Her silver hair was longer than usual falling in waves down to her shoulder and the blue apron she was wearing was smeared with batter. She wiped her hands down her front of it as she sat down in the armchair.
"What's wrong Edith?" Harvey asked concerned.
"It's Nina, dear, she called asking about Mike and whether I had seen him in the last few years. She's thinking of coming back to New York and wants Mike back." Edith said.
Harvey felt like he had been hit by a ton of bricks. He stared at grammy and was for the first time in his life lost for words. He shook his head trying to clear it.
"Well she can't just come back and take him," Harvey objected.
"Dear, I know that but she's not coming alone. She's married to an investment banker, named James Ross and she's determined to see her son again," Edith warned.
"I'll deal with it when the time comes," Harvey said seeing Mike enter into the room, three biscuits in his hands and sugar all around his face. "How many of those things did you have, Mikey?"
"One," Mike said smiling slyly at him as he took a bite of the second cookie in his hand.
"Come here, silly," Harvey said pulling him onto his lap and hugging him close. The boy would make a hack of a lawyer one day.
Donna arrived an hour later, a large bowl in one arm and a wrapped present in the other. Harvey smiled when he saw her at the door. He took the bowl from her hand, kissing her cheek. Mike came up behind him and ran straight for her.
"Hey buddy," Donna said handing him the present. "How is my favourite six year old?"
"Donna, I missed you," he said grabbing onto the red haired women for dear life.
Harvey watched as Donna hugged him back, a smile sprawled across her face. She was the most consistent mother figure in Mike's life aside from Edith.
When lunch had finished and Harvey had helped Edith clear away the table despite her resistance, he wrapped Mike in a coat and gloves and headed out towards the batting cages, with Donna in tow.
"Where we going?" Mike said jumping up and down excited and looking between the two adults.
Harvey and Donna smiled at each other, before Harvey simply pressed his finger to his lips.
"I'm guessing the park, why else would we bring the baseball bat?" Mike continued mainly to himself.
"Mikey, you'll see soon," Donna said, running her hand through his hair.
They reached the batting cages and Mike's jaw dropped. Harvey had been promising for weeks that they would go but he could never find time. Mike stared up at Harvey wonder on his face, it was moments like this that Harvey knew he was Mike's world. He was his dad's mini me.
Harvey went and got a helmet fitting it on Mike's head, he stared into his son's light blue eyes and saw pure joy, his smile was so ecstatic, he almost looked like a mad man or an addict after he finally had his high. Harvey couldn't bare the idea of losing Mike, he pulled him in for a hug, before giving him a pep talk, tapping his helmet twice and ushering him into the cages. Harvey watched with pride as Mike stroke his first ball.
"Good job, Mikey," Harvey called. "Watch the ball and strike it in the centre," he encouraged.
Harvey watched as he readjusted his grip on the bat, widening his stance as he watched the ball come towards him, he held the bat at the ready before swinging it dead centre and watched the ball fly. It must have been the cleanest hit Harvey had ever seen Mike make and he could feel the pride swell inside him.
Donna and him cheered Mike on as they continued to watch the six year old belted ball after ball. Harvey thought it was safe to say the kid had a natural talent. When the sun began to set, Harvey picked a tired Mike up and held him over his shoulder. They walked home, to Grammys, Donna beside him. This was his family he thought, this was all he needed in his life.
Mike fitted a helmet on his head, after Harvey insisted. Harvey tapped on the top of it twice.
"Show us what you're made of Mike?" Harvey said encouragingly.
Mike just glared in return and walked away. They took the three empty cages beside each other and each member of the Spector family, competed for the best hit. They spent the afternoon, actually acting like a family. It was easy for Harvey to fall back into routine and at moments he could see a genuine smile on his son's face but the moment he caught him looking he'd scowl. When they had spent nearly two hours at the batting cages, arguing over who had a better hit or stance or anything they could argue over, they decided to leave.
"I think it's burger time," Marcus said, stretching out.
"Yeah, I'm starved," Mike said, leaning against his uncle.
They sat at a booth, Harvey opposite Mike and Marcus. Mike did his best to ignore Harvey like he had all month. Harvey could tell that Marcus was watching the minimal interaction between the father and son duo. Mike had begun to loosen up at the batting cages but they were back to reality and reality hit hard. Marcus tried to involve all three of them in a conversation but Mike was clearly done playing nice. Harvey sighed maybe Marcus could get through to Mike if he wasn't there. At least he might find out how Harvey could fix this mess. He took at his phone glancing through his messages before standing up from the table.
"So sorry buddy but I have to head into the office it's an emergency. You okay hanging out with your Uncle Marcus?" Harvey asked.
"Big surprise," Mike mumbled.
Harvey watch as the kid rolled his eyes for the hundredth time but didn't say anything. He could see even Marcus was glaring at him, in the 'what the fuck you doing?' kind of way. He threw some notes on the table and left, refusing to glance back after his abrupt departure.
Please Review x