Chapter Twelve

Donna's return back to work was definitely interesting. Since it was really that much harder to hide the growing bump on her stomach, she had to make everything official. She told Jessica the news, it was a pleasant enough conversation which included a congratulations from the managing partner and slight raise of the eyebrow when she had asked for the father's name and Donna had stammered out Sammy's alias.

Mike was happy for her, wanting to meet George right away. Rachel was persistent, wanting to know why Donna had yet to tell Harvey and assured Donna that she was pretty sure Harvey was not in a relationship with Zoe. Louis had congratulated her with a fruit basket, with a note attached saying he would be willing to be the baby's father, should the real one ever leave her. Other than that, the rumours circulating around the office was that Harvey was the father; Donna hated when rumours were true, it became that much harder to fend them off.

..::..

Today was the day of Harvey's return but also the night of Rachel's surprise party for Mike. Donna was arranging the papers that Harvey needed to take care of while also placing his gift for Mike on his desk with a reminder to attend the party on time. Donna had been asked by Rachel to help her decorate, along with Sammy. Rachel and Sammy also became fast friends, which Donna thought had a lot to do with the fact that they both knew her secret.

Donna and Rachel arrived at her apartment to begin decorating. They were almost halfway done when a knock came on the door, Rachel answered it. "Sammy," she said, giving the man a bear hug.

Donna turned and looked at her friend, "What are you wearing?" She's referring to his near Shakespearian attire.

He shrugged at her, "I told you that I'm doing a play. This is our costume."

Donna shook her head, "It's not a themed party. You can't come dressed as if you're from another century."

He laughed, "I brought a change of clothes, silly. Your mood swings are really getting better."

Donna rolled her eyes as Sammy made his way to the bathroom to change. The girls continued their decorations as Sammy came out a couple of minutes later, holding his costume on one hand and small box on the other.

Rachel eyed the box curiously, "What is that?"

"Oh, it's a prop," Sammy said. "I forgot it was in the pocket, it's actually real. My character has to propose to his lady love and hence why I have it. I'll bring this costume back to my car, but I thought I'd keep the ring on me."

Rachel nodded, "It's nice. Wow."

As Sammy went back down to store his costume, the girls began to get all the food out. Sammy got back and started arranging the music and putting little finishing touches on everything. As they got everything done, but before the guests arrived, Donna pulled Sammy aside, "I don't want you drinking tonight."

He looked at her, "Wow, you actually sound like a girlfriend."

"Sammy," she warned, "You know that you get a little crazy and a little less straight when you drink."

"I won't. I promise," he said, raising his right hand as scout's honour.

Slowly, people began to filter in, mostly associates. They had half an hour before Mike was supposed to be arriving but Harvey was nowhere to be seen yet. Donna still had to talk to him about his present, he had asked her to get the pup a bike helmet! She did, but she was really hoping he got the pup a real present they could both put their names on since she hadn't had the time to shop for Mike, except for a pair of earphones she heard he really wanted.

About fifteen minutes before Mike's arrival, there was a knock on the door. Zoe piled in, followed closely by a laughing Harvey; a sight which made Donna a little queasy until she saw him lean back as if listening to a person behind him as Jessica also followed Harvey in.

Rachel took their coats and Harvey immediately spotted Donna. He made a beeline towards her, admiring how she looked in her simple dress, her belly more pronounced than the last time he saw her. He smiled.

She smiled back, "Hey, Harv. How was the trip?"

He rolled his eyes, "Boring. This place looks nice. How have you been?"

Before Donna could respond, Louis was at their side. "Hey, Harvey. Didn't think you came to soirees like these. I seem to recall you never making it to any of my birthday parties."

Donna smirked as Harvey turned to Louis, "Well, I did but I was always too busy entertaining your wife to actually greet you."

Louis stared at him with loathe, "Those jokes are never funny, Harvey." He walked away, throwing Harvey another dirty look as he did so.

Harvey turned back to Donna, "How long do we have to stay?"

Donna laughed. "Long enough to actually see Mike, eat, mingle, and also clean up. Oh, you also have a toast to make."

Harvey stared at her, "What?"

Donna nodded at him, "You'd be great. I—" She didn't finish as Rachel's laughter came from the kitchen, drawing both their attention. Rachel was exiting with Sammy, arm in arm, the two were laughing about something apparently hilarious as the taller man tried to balance a tray of Jell-o shots. Donna sighed inwardly; this is why she didn't want him drinking. His inner fabulous had a way of coming out!

Luckily, Rachel spotted them and nudged Sammy subtly. The man finally saw Donna's glare and Harvey's quizzical stare; he stood up straighter but kept his arm looped through Rachel's.

"Hello, darling," he greeted Donna. "Harvey," he continued, taking the man's hand for a hand shake. Sammy couldn't help but think that Harvey had very soft hands, wondering what kind of moisturizer he used.

Harvey said his greeting but was surprised that 'George' had still not let go of his hand. Donna noticed this, eyes widening and cleared her throat loudly, giving Sammy a stern look. He finally let go of Harvey's hand as Rachel said, "Oh, Mike just texted that he's coming up."

By instinct, Harvey took Donna's hands and led her to the front of the apartment near the door. Rachel turned off the lights, allowing them all to jump up to surprise him.

..::..

Mike was not expecting this. The party had been in full swing for quite some time now and it's been great. He had opened the door, expecting only Rachel; instead, everyone had been there shouting their greeting. It's been amazing so far.

He was talking to Donna's boyfriend, George, who was a very lively man from what Mike could see when Rachel grabbed the microphone that Harold had been using (or abusing) to serenade them all with karaoke, and said, "I would just like to take this opportunity to greet Mike a very happy birthday. You truly deserve all this and we're all very proud of you. Now, I think Harvey has a few words to say."

Mike looked quizzically at Harvey, surprised that he would get up to make a speech on his behalf in public. Mike saw him stare at Donna accusingly while Donna was trying to hold back laughter. Mike would never get over how those two could fight one minute and be playing games the next. Nonetheless, Harvey took the microphone from Rachel and began.

"Well, before I begin," he said, "I'd love to call up my lovely assistant here with me. It's really her that made the whole speech and everything possible. So, Donna?" He beckoned for her with his hands. She eventually made her way towards Harvey, giving him a glare as she took the microphone, "When I first met Mike…"

Rachel was huddled by the corner with Sammy, who looked positively drunk, that's why she was watching him for Donna. The two of them looked admiringly at Harvey and Donna telling stories about Mike and also at everybody else, who were just eating it all up; especially Mike, who was looking at the two of them with such a big smile on his face.

Rachel spoke, "Oh, this means so much to Mike. Just look at him. Harvey and Donna have really been the closest people he's let in for a while that actually takes care of him."

Sammy nodded and turned to Rachel, not guising his voice at all, "When Donna finally tells Harvey, how do you think they'll tell Mike that he's going to be a big brother?"

Before Rachel could laugh, they heard Jessica speak behind them, "What now?"

The two turned around together but slowly, wide eyed and speechless. Rachel gave Jessica a sheepish look while Sammy, whose head was already starting to spin from all the alcohol, couldn't think of any way this could get any worse.

..::..

Sammy was desperately looking for Donna. Gosh, he was sweating bullets. Donna would really be angry about Jessica. They basically had no choice but to explain everything to the managing partner of the firm. The woman had been very accepting of the fact that it was actually Harvey and Donna having a baby; Sammy was a little offended about that, seeing as how he thought Jessica liked 'George'.

But that wasn't the point. He saw Donna and Harvey finish their speech a while ago and this apartment was not big enough for her to disappear. He was walking through the hallway to the kitchen and was trying to get his handkerchief from his pockets because he always sweated when he was nervous, which was very unattractive. Not looking at the path before him, he bumped into Harvey just as he pulled the hanky out. Unfortunately for him, the ring box from his play also fell out and now Harvey had picked it up. Sammy was wrong, the night just got a hundred times worse!

The two men stared at each other as Harvey handed the box back to Sammy without a word. He tried to explain and deny, but Harvey walked away briskly before he could. No question about it, he was going to die tonight, at the hands of one Donna Paulsen.

He gave a huge relieved sigh as he finally spotted Donna, only to be stopped by Mike, who was trying to thank him.

Meanwhile, Donna saw Harvey making a dash for the door and rushed (or tried) to stop him. "Where are you going? Mike still needs to blow his candles then it's time to open the presents. I know your gift is kind of lame, but, it's not that bad."

Harvey remained silent, and Donna cannot quite comprehend what had happened to him in the last five minutes since they were together making the speech until now. What had changed his mood so quickly? He was already out the door, which Donna was holding open, "What's going on?"

She looked away from him briefly when she heard Sammy call her name. "Yes?" she answered, a little miffed when she saw how drunk he looked. She rolled her eyes at him and looked back out the door only to find Harvey already gone. She stepped out into the hallway just as he was getting into the elevator.

What was going on? She went back inside to find herself face to face with a very guilty Sammy, just staring at her. "What did you do?" she cried out to him.

But before he could answer, Rachel had announced that they were about to cut the cake and whole party drifted back into the kitchen. As the party finally began to wind down, Donna was anxious to get everyone to leave as she wanted to talk to Sammy.

Imagine her surprise when Jessica, who she thought had already gone home, appeared at the door of the kitchen where she was washing some dishes. "I think we need to talk," the older woman said.

Donna could only stare at Jessica as she saw a very guilty looking Rachel and Sammy in the background.