Thank you for the reviews! I am getting such a kick writing this story. Here's the next chapter ! Hope you enjoy it! - Carol

Donna Meets Lilly

Chapter 9

Dinner and More

Dinner was being served to Donna. She was on the main course, and she was sure that Harvey would have walked over by now to at least see how she was faring. Was he really not affected by their dance?

Donna was the only female at her table. There were four other people-three men and one little boy. Apparently the little boy was the son of a Mark Swenn who was a modern art student of Lilly's. The story went that he could not get a sitter. He was a blonde young man in his 20's and a single father at that. Donna listened to his story with a lot less compassion then she normally would have. Harvey's presence was in foremost in her mind. Swenn's son was green eyed, red haired, and possessed a cute little chubby 3-year-old face fraught with freckles. Not unlike Donna herself when she was that age.

Luckily Donna's freckles had not been so prevalent later in life, otherwise, Donna thought she would have developed an inferiority complex.

"So, Donna, you said you were friends with Lilly. She was my art teacher when I was in high school and now college…" Mark had started the conversation.

"So, where does Mark, Jr get his red hair?" Donna inquired. "I can see why he is so cute but you are certainly not a red head."

Mark, Sr. laughed and colored at Donna's indirect compliment. So impressionable for a guy, Donna thought.

"His mother was a redhead," Mark said with a rueful smile. From giddy to mature, what's his story?

"Was?" Donna inquired further taking a piece of pork into her mouth and chewing slowly.

"His mother, my wife, died in a car accident about a year ago. Markie was lucky to have come out without a scratch," Mark Swenn said with sadness still in his voice.

Donna was feeling a little more compassionate when she heard that story. She also thought maybe he was older than he looked.

"I'm sorry about your wife. Mark, Jr., is very well behaved for three," Donna said a little more interestedly.

"Believe it or not, I think he became more mature when he realized that his mother was not coming back," Mark, Sr., said and turned away hiding his face from Donna.

"Well, I think if Harvey isn't coming back to claim you for the next dance, I will", interjected Giles who was not too happy at the turn of the conversation or where Donna's attention was presently situated.

Donna ignored Giles and continued to push food into her mouth. The pork was succulent, the vegetables were tender, and the fancy Rosemary potatoes melted in her mouth; however, Donna did not notice much of it as she contemplated Mark Swenn's load of being a widower and a single father. This young man must have really been in love and happily married and in a minute it was gone. Here she was at least 20 years' this man's senior and she had been dancing around a life with a man who for the last 13 years had done exactly what she had wanted him to do-never talk about that one night. That same man took one other courageous step only he could not articulate how he loved her.

The other man who sat at the table on Donna's left hand as Giles was on her right and the Swenns across from her was a man around Donna's age and he was definitely a professional something. Donna saw his name was Dr. D. Martens. He was a handsome dark-haired man with a large aquiline nose which did nothing to take away from his looks. His hands, Donna noticed, were long fingered with clean, neatly manicured fingernails. His scent penetrated Donna's nostrils more than her dinner had. Dr. Martens' appearance and reserve manner did nothing to drive Harvey from her thoughts.

"I'm Dr. David Martens, by the way, Ms. Paulsen," the man stated dabbing at the corners of his mouth with his napkin and shook Donna's hand.

"Donna," she said correcting him.

"I'm Marcus' doctor and I have treated Lilly for a couple of small ailments. I guess you could call me the "family" physician."

"Nice to meet you, Dr. Martens."

"David. Call me David, Donna," David said to Donna. He was obviously attracted to Donna, too.

Then as an aside only for Donna's ears, David said, "Look, if Harvey doesn't show and I can tell you don't want to dance with Giles, I will gladly rescue you."

Donna smiled and sighed. She placed a last piece of pork into her mouth and looked upwards toward the ceiling summoning divine intervention.

"Please God. Let Harvey know I'm still here."

Meanwhile at the head table...

"Aunt Lilly," MaryBeth addressed her relative between bites of swordfish on her plate.

"Yes, MaryBeth," Lilly answered her niece. She smiled because she saw how happy Harvey had been when he saw MaryBeth was here. Unknown to Harvey, Lilly had always been a little more attuned with her children then she was given credit. She knew the special bond that Harvey and his cousin had shared when they were growing up. Harvey had almost been coerced to escort MaryBeth to her prom long ago, but at the last moment Kevin who eventually married MaryBeth stepped up to the plate much to Harvey's relief if Lilly remembered correctly. She remembered Harvey's resignation and then relief that he could take another girl instead of his cousin to the prom.

"So when are you opening your gifts?"

"Why, MaryBeth, are you so eager? Did you get me something extra special?"

"Sort of," MaryBeth answered and side glanced at Harvey who had no idea what his cousin was talking about.

Actually Harvey had not shared much conversation with any of his relatives sitting at the table except for Marcus and that was because Marcus had addressed Harvey on subjects related to all of the Specters and their mother's family. Harvey's eye kept drifting behind and to his left trying to catch Donna's eye. However, every time he looked over at her she was in conversation with one of the men sitting at her table. Who in the world placed her at a table with only men? Surely that was not correct table etiquette. Who would bring a child to one of these parties? Since when did my mom start teaching preschool? Harvey thought.

Harvey shoveled a shrimp into his mouth and although delicious he did not notice. He took another side glance at Donna. Again she was talking but to the man on her direct left—not Giles. Harvey thought Donna was safe with repelling Giles' advances and the father of the little boy across the table from her would have no time to make a move on Donna. However, the man with whom she was just speaking was more her type. Harvey was jealous. He was always jealous when a man would come into Donna's life. Sometimes he let her know it and most times he did not. Harvey always figured as long as they were not involved personally then he had no right to be jealous.

That was until recently when he had found out she had been dating a man after the "I Love You" incident. It had only been six weeks after that incident! During those weeks, he had been experiencing such separation anxiety that he could hardly get through a day without throwing up his guts or sweating like he had just run a marathon. Of course, he did have a one night's respite after Esther Litt had employed his legal services for her divorce. The memory was still there, as were all his conquests including Scottie, but it spurred him to feel nothing more than that it was great momentary sex. The event had not changed his life as he was coming to recognize after so many years since that other time with Donna. Harvey had been convinced since similar events that he and Donna made love that night-not just sex.

"Harvey".

"What can I do for you mom?" Harvey asked at hearing his mother's voice coming out of his thoughts.

"I like to speak to Giles for a minute. Why don't you trade places with him and talk to Donna or have dessert with her?"

Harvey smiled and lowered his eyes. "Ok, mom, but don't think I don't know what you're doing."

"Just go over there. She looks like she needs rescuing."

Harvey removed his napkin from his lap and placed it on his plate and took a few steps behind him. He was secretly wanting to do that all evening but he did not want anyone to get the wrong idea.

As he approached, Donna looked as if she were fending off physical advances from Giles pushing her into a dance as well as being persuaded by the other guy. Harvey came upon the seen and made it easy for Donna to decide in whose company she wanted to be.

"Gentlemen," Harvey said with his most smug smile and superior manner. "It looks like Donna wants to sit this one out and wait for dessert. Am I right?"

Harvey gazed into her eyes and was gratified that his arrival was not unwelcome.

When the gentlemen had cleared the area, Harvey said in his way he reserved only for her, "Hey,".

"Hey. Thank you for rescuing me. However, you really didn't need to do that. I can handle dolts like that," Donna said attempting to cover her happiness at seeing Harvey come to her rescue.

"Yeah, sure looked like you were handling them just fine," Harvey said with a little raise in pitch tone. Then he smiled and Donna answered it with her own and they shared a big laugh.

When they were finished, Donna asked, "So to what do I owe this visit? You haven't so much as looked at me all evening."

"Wrong. Every time I looked over here you were immersed in animated conversation with one of your gentlemen friends," Harvey said as he signaled the server for help.

The server drew near.

"Yes, Mr. Specter, what can I get for you?"

"Macallan 18 and…a glass of Merlot," Harvey said.

The server nodded and then left to fill Harvey's drink order.

"Thank you, Harvey. Now I won't have to have dessert. I'll be too sick to eat it," said Donna.

"It's just birthday cake from what I heard. Very rich birthday cake if I know my mother. She loves sweets," Harvey said remembering how much candy, cookies, and cake he ate as a child.

"Well, your mother is as thin as a rail. One would never think she was addicted to sweets," Donna observed.

"I think I know how she counteracted the calories," smirked Harvey.

"Harvey! That's your mother you're talking about," Donna exclaimed surprised that Harvey was still harboring thoughts of his mother's infidelities.

"Well, it's the truth!"

"I thought you forgave your mother," Donna said.

"Yes, I have, but it doesn't mean that it doesn't float back up to the top of my thoughts every now and again."

"Mmhmm," Donna said. "Say, do you know Dr. Martens?"

"No, who's that?" Harvey asked shaking his head.

"He's the dark haired rather swarthy gentlemen who was sitting here." Donna pointed to the seat where no one sat for the moment.

The server came with their drinks. Harvey tipped him which under the circumstances was allowed from what Marcus had indicated.

"So you were saying?" Harvey asked when the server moved away.

"He apparently was Marcus' doctor when he was sick and is also a "Family" physician," Donna told him.

"So?"

"I just thought it would be good information if you were concerned with your family's health. Especially Marcus' remission could relent at any time."

Harvey looked at her and then lowered his eyes. He did not want her to think he was staring at her.

Too late she caught him! That was why subterfuge was useless against her. His eyes had been captivated by her cleavage and her now again bare shoulders and back. Donna was too quick for her own good.

"Thank you. I'll remember," Harvey fibbed.

"No you won't, but I will," Donna said. Then sweeping her head to Harvey's direction asked.

"So why did you come to my rescue?"

"I wanted to talk to you and my mother sent me over here," Harvey confessed.

Donna nodded her head and sat up moving her chair closer to Harvey's. She wanted to touch him so badly. Their dance had left her badly wanting him to hold her. She just was not sure of Harvey. The want for each other was plain as the look on their faces only they both chose to ignore it. Donna moved her chair a little closer to Harvey's and she ran her finger up and down Harvey's arm which lay on the table. He had removed his jacket and rolled up his shirt sleeves as it was warm in the room.

At her touch, Harvey shivered slightly raising goosebumps on his skin and then he placed his other hand on top of hers. He looked at both of their hands. He clasped it and moved it onto the table and held it. Their eyes rose to look at one another and the look said so much that their words could never have communicated.

"Donna?" Harvey asked in that intimate way he had with her.

"Yes, Harvey," said Donna with no sarcasm, no quip, just plain desire escaping from her eyes and the tone she reserved only for him.

"Where are you staying?" Harvey asked intently.

"At the Sheraton. Are you at your brother's?" Donna asked breathlessly as she and Harvey kept clasping and unclasping their hands.

"Yes. Say the Sheraton's a little far from here, do you want to go somewhere closer. I don't think we should be away too long," Harvey said moving closer. He wanted to kiss her so badly.

"Whoa, we should stay until at least the cake is cut. Your mother would be upset," Donna said trying hard to be logical and thoughtful. Who am I kidding? Lily probably coerced Harvey into coming over here and proposition me.

"Are you crazy? Who do you think really sent me over here?" Harvey said smiling wide and laughing a nervous laugh. He felt like a teenager trying to get laid on prom night.

Donna laughed in return loudly and smiled because his questions had echoed her thoughts.

They both rose simultaneously and then Donna put a restraining hand on Harvey's chest.

"Really, Harvey, it is not right. We at least have to wait until the cake is cut," Donna said.

"Why, Donna, do you have cold feet now? Are you suddenly afraid of me?" Harvey asked.

Donna did not want to enter a long discussion here that it was not him she was afraid of but the situation with him. However, maybe if she did not take this chance, maybe the opportunity would never rise again and she really would have to leave him never to return.

The thought of leaving him as she looked up into his deep dark eyes the color of dark chocolate and his chiseled jaw intensely clenched impatiently waiting for her to decide what their fate would be saddened her beyond belief. She felt now that leaving him would be the worst thing she could do until she knew what his "I love you" had meant.

Harvey looked at his mother and she was so happy that he did not want to disappoint her by leaving. No matter how much he wanted Donna right now. The desire had always been and it was not dissipating any time soon. He looked down at Donna's perfectly coiffed hair and took her hand in both of his.

"Ok, you're right. Even if she was the one who started this," Harvey agreed. "Come with me. You sit with me the rest of the night. Agreed?"

"Agreed," Donna said with relief and happiness in her voice.

They walked to the head table hand in hand.