Chapter Thirteen

Donna sat opposite of Jessica on the dinner table. Sammy and Rachel continued to clean in the living room as the two ladies talked in the kitchen.

Donna sighed, but kept her eye contact with Jessica.

"I would advise you to tell him," Jessica began, "but I think you already know that. So, what's been stopping you?"

"I think you're not going to believe me when I say," Donna said. "It's just been one unfortunate situation after the next. Mine and Harvey's relationship has really been like a roller coaster these past few months."

"That's not an excuse, Donna." Jessica said sternly. "Harvey will not take this well if it lasts any longer."

Donna nodded, "Jessica, will all due respect, there's really just a lot of other factors to take in." Factors that included him being in love with someone else, and the fact that he was an unresponsive ass half the time.

"Well, then," Jessica replied, "do you care to explain the point of hiring a fake boyfriend?"

"Okay, that was one poor decision on my part," Donna admitted. "It all kind of just came about, I panicked."

"Well," Jessica said, standing up, "you need to tell him; and you need to do it soon, Donna."

She merely nodded and looked at Jessica expectantly as the older woman paused by the door and turned, "I'm glad for you and Harvey, well, for when you tell him. I'm glad you two will finally sort yourselves out. It's been too damn long."

Donna let out a tired laugh. "Thank you, Jessica," she replied, "that means a lot to me."

And with that, the older woman went on her way, waving goodbye to Sammy and Rachel as she exited the apartment. Donna wanted really badly to get angry at Sammy but she was tired and she knew that he didn't mean it; even when she told him not to drink. She opted not to discuss what had transpired between her and Jessica.

..::..

The following work day, Donna could sense that something was off with Harvey. He was definitely a lot moodier than usual, barking orders at her and having Mike run around like a puppy with its head cut off.

And if she wasn't feeling so sleepy, she might actually defend herself and fight with him. But she allowed him to have his tyrant act; sometimes he might actually need to blow off steam. She had half a mind to ask him what was going on but thought better of it. Whatever it was, it happened during Mike's party; she just couldn't place what could've happened in the five minutes they spent apart from giving the toast to him bolting out the door.

Donna was pondering all this, while trying not to fall asleep at her desk, when she heard, "Donna, do you have a minute to talk?"

She looked up, surprise to see Zoe standing in front of her desk. She peeked into Harvey's office to see him still yelling at Mike and said, "Yeah, I think I'll take my lunch break now. Do you, by any chance, know what's wrong with Harvey?"

Zoe grimaced, "Right now, I'm not really sure why he's biting Mike's head off. I haven't really talked to him in a while. But, for what's wrong with him in general, that's what I'd like to talk about with you."

Donna eyed her curiously, she had no clue where all this was headed. The two made their way to a tiny little restaurant not far from the firm. Sitting in one of the corner booths, they both ordered and waited for their food to arrive.

"So, what did you want to talk to me about?" Donna asked, eager to get right to the point of this impromptu lunch, just asked the food was arriving.

"Number one," Zoe started, "and I don't want this to sound accusatory but I don't think George is your boyfriend."

Donna remained silent, only raising an eyebrow at Zoe's statement. Zoe swallowed and continued, "I also don't think he's the father of your baby."

Donna looked at her, unable to tell if the she was actually serious about having this conversation. She was at a loss for words, though. Finally, Donna asked, "Why?"

"Well, he kept on commenting on my dress the other night at the party, he even asked me where I bought my necklace because—and I quote—he just has to have one himself. Oh and, I'm pretty sure he was coming on to Harold, too," Zoe explained tentatively.

Donna closed her eyes, silently cursing Sammy in her head. She should've banned all alcohol from that party. She sighed, "What do you want me to say?"

Zoe shrugged. "You don't have to say anything. But if you would listen…" Donna nodded and Zoe continued, "Five years ago, my parting words to Harvey were to the effect of the fact that I thought he was losing his way. I still mean it, but it's also only now that I realize how I was a very big part of why he was diverging from his path. He always had a way of dealing and doing things that I could just never understand. I cared a lot about him, but I wanted him to change a lot of who he was to be with me. And that was not fair."

Donna looked at her quizzically. Now, she was really confused as to where this was going but the lawyer continued, "But, with you, you accept him. Everything about him. And he has no problem showing you that he cares. I saw it during the trial run; he openly stood up for you. It was significant at the point when he did it but it became more so the next day, you weren't there when he told the entire court he didn't shows other that he cared because it made him appear weak. But, for his own reasons, he would appear weak for you." Zoe paused. "I just thought you needed to hear all of this. Maybe, now, it'll be easier for you to tell Harvey what you need to."

Donna could only look at her, trying to process everything that she had just said. Meanwhile, Zoe had already stood, left some bills on the table and spoke again, "I lied to him when I told him the reason why I didn't call him back five years ago. He had made his feelings clear to me with words but it was never enough. I knew I couldn't give him everything he wanted, not when he already had it all. Like you said, what Harvey wants and what he actually needs are two very different things; and you're the only one who seems to be able to cater to all he needs."

She then proceeded out of the restaurant nonchalantly. Donna sat there dumbfounded for a couple of more minutes before doing the same.

..::..

Donna sat at her apartment that night, thinking about everything that had just happened and was happening. She was sitting on her couch, rubbing her belly whilst listening to some old records of Harvey's dad. Finally, she picked up her phone and pressed her speed dial.

Two rings; and then: "Hey Harvey. Don't talk, alright? Let me get this all out. No wait, I can't tell you all this over the phone. Can you come over, please?" Donna waited.

She then heard, "Uh, Donna?"

"Mike, is that you?" she asked, glancing at her phone and yes, she did dial the right number. "What are you doing with Harvey's phone? Put him on."

"He's kind of preoccupied at the moment," Mike said hesitantly.

Donna could now hear the sound of Harvey's voice in the background, she caught words like: red hair, little feet and princess. She sighed, "Are you guys high again?"

"No, not me," Mike answered quickly. "But Harvey came here like half an hour ago with some weed and well, he's smoking them."

"You have to stop him," Donna cried, "I'm coming over."

"Donna, you can't do that!" Mike said, "You're pregnant, and this whole place is reeking of marijuana!"

Donna let out a breath, "You're right, Mike. Just…just take care of him, okay? And tell me tomorrow what happens."

..::..

"I will," Mike said, "Bye, Donna."

He was so lucky that he got Donna not to come over. Well, besides the fact that Harvey would kill him if he let the very pregnant Donna into his smoke-filled apartment, Mike was also sure Harvey wouldn't want her hearing anything that was coming out of his mouth right now.

Earlier, it had been a lot of bad-mouthing about George in general. Now, after Harvey had decided he was already thirsty, he's been talking a lot about having a baby girl with red hair and how he'd call her princess. In short, his boss was definitely a mess.

It took like four more hours until Harvey was finally plastered down on his couch, a fact he knew he would get yelled about tomorrow morning. Mike began to tidy up his place, sending a quick text to Donna that everything was fine now.

He wondered what Donna had wanted to say to Harvey. It was no secret that the two have a very close (maybe intimate?) relationship. Mike was sure that Harvey was the one that Donna had been referring to when she was talking to him about feelings going away eventually. Mike was indeed very curious about their past. And even though he does like George, Mike can't help but wish that the baby had just been Harvey's; that would make it all so much better.

Mike would never admit it, but when he had said those infamous words to Harvey about a mini-him running around in Osh-Kosh B'gosh, he had pictured a kid with fiery red hair all gelled back, telling Harvey to play the man but also jut being generally awesome!