Donna Meets Lily

Chapter 6 – Mother's Intuition

Donna was no farther than outside Rachel's door when she returned the call.

"Hi, Lily?" Donna ventured surprised to hear from Harvey's mother.

"Donna," Lily sounded exasperated as if frustrated. "I just discovered from my son that you did not accompany him. I guess I did not make myself clear."

Donna looked at her watch. It was after 11:00 pm on Friday.

"Oh, didn't Harvey tell you? My own parents are coming in this weekend for a visit from upstate New York. Of course, I would've come had that not been the case. I'm surprised Harvey didn't tell you," Donna fibbed protecting Harvey. She would not deliberately make him look ignorant in front of his mother although she should.

Donna had given Harvey the opening he needed to invite her but he had decided to decline. Harvey was so afraid of what his mother really thought of Harvey's relationship with her that he assumed it was easier to avoid the whole situation of defending himself and their relationship rather than just be together. Therefore, he just forgot to include Donna.

Well, here I am again in this old familiar place: protecting Harvey from his mother once again. Donna had thought she and Harvey might have been growing in a new direction; however, Harvey has retreated behind that emotional wall he was so wont to erect. Only this time the wall prevented Donna from breaking through.

Previous to Lily's call to Donna, she had called Harvey to confirm he was coming and bringing Donna with him.

"Mom!" Harvey said suddenly surprised to hear his mother's voice on the other end of the line. "I didn't expect to talk with you until tomorrow night at your party."

"Well, I just wanted to make sure you made it to your brother's house."

"Of course. I wouldn't miss this for the world," Harvey said sincerely. He truly loved his mother, but he was still having some difficulty not allowing her acts of infidelity when she was young to be brought to the forefront of his mind. Harvey had to remember that it felt good to be back with his biological family as well has having his firm family, too.

"Can I speak to Donna?"

"Donna?" Harvey questioned in an odd voice. The minute her name came out of his mouth he knew he was in for an explanation why she was not with him.

"Yes, Donna. She didn't come with you?"

"No. I forgot to tell her she was invited. I'm sorry. Is there a problem?"

"No, of course not, honey. I am glad you made it. I was just hoping that Donna was coming as well. Did Kate not make it plain that she should come?"

"She did, mom, but the firm is going through a big rebuild and it slipped my mind to include her."

"Would you mind if I call her? I can re invite her. I am sure you would like her to be with you, right?" Lily encouragingly asked.

Harvey hesitated. "Ma, I'm not sure she's free this weekend. I know she has several activities outside the firm. She had an audition this past week and she didn't…." He did not get to finish his sentence before Lily interjected.

"Well, I'll just find out if she can come when I call her."

"Do you have her number?"

"Yes, I do. She gave it to me as a precaution when I couldn't reach you directly."

"Oh."

"Well, I'll let you go, so I can call Donna. It's almost eleven. She's doesn't go to bed too early, does she?"

"Mom, how would I know?"

One could hear Lily's shrug before she asked, "You don't know?"

"Ma, she's my assistant and my friend. Not my girlfriend," Harvey said breaking it gently to his mother.

"Mmhmm… and red and blue doesn't make green," Lily said disbelievingly. She saw how he looked at her that night at dinner. He was in love with her. He just did not want to acknowledge it.

"Okay. I love you. I'm hanging up now and I'm calling Donna," Lily said forcefully.

Harvey sighed heavily because he knew Donna's wrath and his mother's stubbornness. Those were the last things he needed from both Donna and his mom right now.

Lily hung up with Donna and was disappointed. She just knew that something had happened between them since her visit. She was not blind. She knew they were not an "official" couple, but she knew they loved one another desperately. He had called Donna "someone very special" before Lily had even met her. Lily saw the way Harvey and Donna looked at each other at the dinner not so long ago.

Well, maybe, Donna's parents would cancel or that was just an excuse because Lily could feel Donna would love to be with Harvey as more than just his assistant or platonic friend. Lily could not be that wrong in her intuition or reading of the signs, could she?

"So, Harvey okay?" Bobby asked coming up behind his wife as she sat at her desk.

"Yes. He's at Marcus' and fine," Lily said a little dejectedly.

"So what's wrong? I thought that's what you were looking forward to most of all. Harvey actually being here for your special birthday," Bobby asked laying comforting hands on her shoulders.

"Oh, yes. I am very glad he's here. However, I was hoping that Donna would be with him."

"Oh, I see…"

"What do you see?" Lily asked looking up at her husband's face.

"Playing matchmaker, are we?"

"No. I think the match is already done. They just haven't realized it."

Bobby shook his head and squeezed Lily's shoulders. "Maybe they do realize it and they know it isn't what you think it is."

"Bobby. You are many things. However, a man who recognize two people in love is not one of them."

"Thank you very much," Bobby said sarcastically. "I disagree."

"Well, I bet you, if I can get Donna up here this weekend, she and Harvey will be a couple before they even head back to New York."

"You're on," Bobby said and sealed the deal with a handshake and a kiss for luck.