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Donna Meets Lilly -

Chapter 13

Back From Paradise

Harvey woke up with Donna in his arms. He was startled at first because they had begun daily and nightly rituals in Boston. They had come home in a typical Nor'easter where the wind and the rain whipped around in torrents and blew them off their feet. Luckily Donna had purchased only one ticket thinking that if she and Harvey had not come together she would have purchased another ticket to anywhere just to get away. Donna praised the powers above that Harvey had made a stand and wanted her in that way. So together they rode the train back to New York and when they arrived, Harvey drove them both home to his condo in the sky.

Donna went in through the door as Harvey held it open for her.

"Oh my word, it's cold," Donna said as she shivered and chafed her arms. "I can't believe it's not snow out there."

Harvey silently shut the door and then helped to remove Donna's winter coat and hat.

"Thank you," Donna said and looked into Harvey's eyes. They were big, brown and filled with love.

He took her into his arms and kissed her softly and let his lips linger on hers.

She opened her eyes and silently questioned him.

"I love you, that's why," Harvey answered verbally. He then released her and removed his own jacket and placed his keys on the kitchen counter.

Donna hesitated. She was dressed in a warm sweater and jeans. She slowly followed him and she looked into his refrigerator and, of course, there was nothing there.

"For a man who can cook, your refrigerator is always empty," Donna observed and called to Harvey who had retreated to some other part of the condo.

"I'm never home to eat, Donna, we're usually at the office eating some shitty Thai takeout," Harvey returned to the kitchen and pleasantly rubbed against Donna's protruding rear as she bent over looking into his refrigerator. He slid past her to see if he had anything in his pantry.

"Are you really that hungry?" Harvey asked looking at her. During their extended time together, he did notice that after making love she had to eat. It was almost like she expended all her energy during sex. All Harvey could manage after their extended love sessions was to cuddle for a few minutes and then drift into a peaceful slumber. He made a comment to her about his observance and, she, of course, had had a clever retort.

" 'Ok, let me ask you a question.'" She had said after another long lovemaking session in front of the fireplace.

" 'What is it?" Harvey asked with a smile as he had looked down at her lying next to him on the floor. They had both been wrapped in blankets and sheets now as the perspiration began to cool on their skins.

" 'Did you just enjoy all that we just did?'" Donna asked seriously holding his hand onto her left breast close to her heart's location.

" 'You know I did. You were awesome.'" Harvey retorted.

" 'I know I was. The defense rests, counselor,'' Donna retorted. She then kissed his hand and turned over. Harvey then could not resist touching her again and spooned himself almost on top of her and they began all over again.

Suddenly there was a knock on Harvey's door. Donna went to answer the door and said, "Thank you" to the person and carried a huge box back to the kitchen counter. Harvey saw her trying to carry the heavy cardboard box and took it from her and carried it back to his kitchen counter.

"You didn't have to get me a present, Donna," Harvey joked.

"It's for both of us, silly man. Open it," Donna said as she retrieved the scissors from the butcher's block.

Harvey cut the tape and there were groceries in the box. Fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, and some other little stuff like gravy mix and some other pantry snacks.

"Fruit snacks, Donna? What are we, three years old?" Harvey asked sarcastically.

"It's a treat for when your blood sugar goes really low," Donna said seductively as she came up and ran one long finger down the side of Harvey's face. She accentuated the "blood sugar really low" in a deep voice, and rolled her eyes enticingly.

That was all Harvey needed as he picked Donna up in his arms and carried her to his bedroom.

Needless to say, the food discussion had been tabled for a later time.

It was now Wednesday. As Harvey lay in his bed with Donna in his arms and the sunshine peering in through the closed blinds. He instinctively pulled her closer as if he did not hold her tight enough she would disappear and not return.

"Harvey, we're going to be ok," Donna murmured as she swept her hand gently over Harvey's chest. They had made love and petted all through the night. Harvey's moves were desperate and clinging as if they were going to be separated for good. Instead of him eventually turning over and going to sleep, he cuddled her the entire night. Donna enjoyed it but she knew it was because Harvey's separation anxiety was in full force.

"What time is it?" Donna asked. She instinctively knew it was about 6:30 am because her body automatically woke up at that time during the weekdays. Her body somehow knew it was Wednesday and that she was expected back at work. The last two days when she awoke at that time she pleasurably woke Harvey and they would made love again. Yesterday after their early morning loving they showered and then packed for the train trip back home. However, she knew the difference today.

"It's 6:45 am," Harvey said quietly and dejectedly. He could just see the big red digital numbers on his alarm clock next to his head.

Donna raised her head from Harvey's chest where she had felt his heart begin to race and feel the vibration of his deep voice as he told her the time.

"How about I make some coffee?" Donna asked gazing down at the man she loved so very much. She only hoped they were still in this context after the first day back at the firm.

"Sure. You know the way I like it."

"Wait here," Donna said and she retrieved Harvey's shirt from the floor where he had discarded it in his wanton desire for his woman the previous night.

Harvey sat up and then decided the air was a little chill in the open room and put on a T-shirt he had retrieved from his drawer. He also found a clean pair of boxers and then dove back in bed waiting for Donna to bring him his special coffee.

"Hey, if it takes this long, I can just get some on the way," Harvey had echoed with a suddenly feeling of deja vu. Then just like his dream, Donna came in covered only in his white button down shirt carrying two cups of coffee.

"Hold your horses, mister," Donna remarked as she proceeded to his side of the bed and handed him a cup of the hot liquid. Harvey took it and smiled. He sipped it.

"How is it?"

"It's the best cup of coffee I ever had," Harvey echoed from his dream and then just like his dream he placed the cup on the bedside table and smoothing Donna's hair from her face with one hand leaned in and kissed her softly again letting his lips linger.

"That was nice," Donna said opening her eyes.

"It was, and as much as I would love to do it all day, we have to get going," Harvey said. He was beginning to think his dream was more of a premonition.

"Harvey, you do understand that because we now have a personal relationship, I no longer work for you," Donna just wanted to reinforce that with him. She wanted to be clear.

"You're not leaving me, right?" Harvey asked because he had woken up with a start when Donna had told him in the dream she was no longer leaving him and that Jessica had left him.

"No, I am not leaving you. I just won't work for you anymore. However, my first job as interim secretary is to find you a good replacement in the next two weeks."

"You'll still do your job for me in the meantime, right?" Harvey asked not panicking quite as much as he thought he would have when it came time for them to separate their personal from the business.

"Of course. I would never leave you high and dry. I tried that when I went to work for Louis, but you got so huffy and told me to just go. I'm glad you're not behaving like that."

"No, I was angry then. I understand a little better now, I think," Harvey said and kissing Donna retrieved his coffee and got out of bed.

Rachel was in her office when Donna came into see her.

"Well, look who is lit up like the Fourth of July!" Rachel said happy because she knew what Donna was planning to do this weekend if things did not work out with Harvey.

"Yes, we've never been better. On all accounts...if you know what I mean," Donna could not help but gloat. She was ecstatic. She did ensure that she and Harvey maintained some proper office etiquette the minute they stepped onto the 50th floor. Harvey had a little bit of trouble with that as he reached out and pinched Donna's bottom on exiting from the elevator to which Donna could not help but squeak and slap his hand.

"So, what's next?" Rachel wondered.

"I'm not sure. I'm beginning to call secretarial candidates to take my place for Harvey . I have to decide where I am to go next professionally," Donna said to Rachel very matter-of-factly.

"What do you mean 'secretarial candidates for Harvey'?" Rachel wondered aloud. "Where are you going?" Rachel;s pretty tan complected face show concern. She could not fathom Donna not working for Harvey.

Donna looked at Rachel. "I never told you about my rule?"

"Your rule? I don't remember anything about a rule especially where Harvey is concerned."

"I don't sleep with men I work with. The first time Harvey and I slept together, well before it, I told him the rule"

"So, you're actually enforcing it? How does Harvey like it?"

"Well, he respects it and he is trying. I have to keep reassuring him I'm still there for him, but I don't work for him. I'm spending the obligatory two weeks finding him a replacement."

"...and he is okay with this?" Rachel said. She took a deep breath and turned her head toward her computer screen to hide her concern.

"What is it?" Donna asked feeling and seeing that Rachel was not pleased with Donna's decision to enforce her rule.

Rachel pursed her lips and turning back toward Donna said, "I'm just concerned that Harvey will become the same argumentative, wildly arrogant, and insufferable person he had been last time you left him. It's more dangerous now because he is the managing partner."

Donna lowered her eyes and smiled slyly. She could not believe that this was coming from her best friend.

"So, are you saying that I should continue to endanger my personal relationship with the man I love because it may not be good for him as the managing partner?"

"No, Donna, that's not what I'm saying. Harvey was one step from a heart attack from what Mike told me. You did knew about his anxiety attacks, right?"

"Of course, I did. I found about them on Louis' dictaphone. Why do you think I threatened Louis when he wanted to use that knowledge to get Harvey permanently suspended by the partners after Louis and he fought? I have and will continue to protect Harvey from himself and whomever would do him harm as well as I can from the position I will be in. It just may not be outside his office in a cubicle everyday. I actually hope it's more than that, but it is early and Harvey is still uneasy."

"I can imagine he's scared. As I have said before, you are his everything here. I'm also sure you are his everything period."

"I know I am," Donna agreed smiling widely. "Seriously, it is going to be a bumpy ride until we've worked our way through it. I have faith that we can. We love each other way too much not to."

"I hope so, Donna. Oh, I am so very happy for you and Harvey." Rachel said this and rose from behind the desk and gave Donna a huge hug.

"My greatest hope is that you are happy with Harvey as I am with Mike."

Donna hugged Rachel back and prayed silently for the same thing.

After Harvey separated from Donna, his day was not quite so warm and welcoming. He had come back to his new office still feeling the newness of the unfamiliar view from the windows which he only had occasion to view when he was visiting Jessica.

Donna had somehow managed to redo his calendar before they left and then noticed the changes since their delayed return. Harvey sat down behind his desk and, of course, like clockwork his first visitor was none other than Louis. The other name partner.

"Good morning, Louis. What can I do for you?" Harvey asked attempting to be jovial when all he really wanted to do was take Donna and go back to his comfy bed at home and stay there all day just making love. Just the thought of them together got him hot and bothered like a teenager not a mature man. However, he did still have a firm to manage and clients as well as other partners to see.

"Good morning, Harvey. I hope you and Donna had a wonderful honeymoon," Louis said with a mixture of bitterness and resentment in his voice. Since he had just experienced another tumultuous end to an intense love affair, Louis' behavior was just that much more heightened and overly focused on Harvey and his continued success with women.

"Honeymoon? We didn't elope, Louis. We came together on a personal level. Yes we did have a wonderful time. But it is now time to get back to work. So what can I do for you?"

Harvey smiled widely and tried to not get rattled by Louis. He and Louis did work more like co-partners now but sometimes Louis' jealousy over Harvey's relationship with Donna could still rear its ugly head.

"We need to sit down with Katrina and discuss Chemical C Corp."

"That's her biggest client. Did she not bring them over from Zane's?" Harvey wanted to know why Katrina Bennett a very astute and clever lawyer suddenly needed help from the managing partner.

"They are being sued for harmful chemicals in a chemistry set. The set contains certain non-combustible compounds and when mixed with water or a rubber base substance the substance becomes gluey."

"Gluey? So what's the problem?" Harvey asked sitting at his desk with his hands folded in front of him.

"Well, the substance did not turn into glue but into a toxic smokey substance and it endangered about 15 children. The children's parents filed a Child Endangerment Suit against Chemical C Corp."

"Ok, so is she not gathering evidence from the company to prove the incident was not due to the chemicals in the set?"

"Well, against my better judgment, she wants to settle which will probably tank any success this year for any profits being earned right now."

"Ok, so why do you need me? She is a senior partner. She doesn't need you to tell her what to do unless she asked."

"That's it. She didn't ask and now I am afraid she is tanking a client."

Harvey shook his head. Harvey's strength in being a lawyer was that he was a good negotiator for his client when the consumers or whomever tried to take advantage. Louis liked going to court and fighting. Louis was successful when it came to his style and Harvey was excellent in his style. The problem here was which was the most correct for both client and the plaintiffs.

"Ok, I will see her in a few minutes and see just how she feels she wants to settle. Will that make you feel better?"

"Yes, Harvey, it will," Louis said inadvertently picking at his fingernail which he had accidentally clipped to close to his skin. It was paining him and he was not in a happy mood. When Louis did not move, Harvey asked him if there was anything else.

"Yes. Don't hurt her like you hurt Esther, Harvey. Because if you do, it will be me throwing you through the glass table," Louis said frowning at Harvey.

Harvey maintained his good mood and only said in a threatening way, "Mind your own goddamn business, Louis. Our relationship outside these offices is none of your concern."

"Just don't do it," Louis said deeply and swiftly left Harvey's office.

Mike was Harvey's next visitor. He stopped by Donna's desk first and noticed she was making a list.

"Let me guess: you're making your honeymoon trousseau list and then you're going to use Harvey's credit card to go purchase it." Mike smiled.

"Rachel told you I see," Donna said not looking up from her list. This list was to organize and update the secretarial candidate list she had composed more than a year ago. Some of the women on the list were no longer available which had not surprised Donna at all. A few had decided to attend law school themselves and one actually went into business for herself and was looking for corporate lawyers. Donna did the best thing and sold Pearson, Specter, Litt as the perfect lawyers for her start up corporation. She was waiting to hear back from them so she could point the company to one of the new partners that had joined the firm in the interim after Jessica's departure and Harvey's new tenure.

"So?" Mike said leaning his arms on the top of Donna's cubicle. He was happy that Donna and Harvey had finally decided to capitulate and let nature take its course.

Donna looked up with a mock disgusted look and said, "Numero Uno," (pointing to the list in front of her) "is not my trousseau. It's an updated list of candidates for Harvey."

"Candidates? For what?" Mike was truly puzzled.

"Legal secretarial candidates?"

"Yes, you can figure that now that since Harvey and I are in a personal relationship that we can no longer work together?" Donna said while examining Mike as if he did not have a brain in his body.

"No, but that's between you two. You know how Rachel and I feel..." Mike indicated.

"Yes, I do. However, I don't think it should be that way with Harvey and me," Donna stubbornly stated. Her dark green eyes became even more dark with her determination.

Mike came around and kissed Donna's cheek and said, "I hope you and Harvey stay together long enough so you're not pissed at each other at my wedding."

Donna smiled and said, "We won't."

Although she sounded positive, in her heart, she began to have doubts.