I appreciate any one still sticking this one out with me. Thank you. You all are my motivation to keep writing. Thank you - Carebearmaxi - Enjoy!
Donna Meets Lily -
Chapter 19 -
Surgery Realizations
Harvey was in no pain except for his head. He kept his eyes shut most of the time because the light hurt his eyes and to focus on anyone's face was painful. He had a lot of visitors in the short time that he had been in the hospital. Scottie, Mike, Rachel, and even his mom maintained a constant vigil. However, he longed to see the face of the one person for whom he constantly requested-Donna.
How did this happen? Why did she leave and not tell me where she was going? It must be something to do with Scottie. I know she never liked Scottie with me. She did her best, though, to throw us together if I remember correctly. Whatever happens after this surgery, I cannot let myself not remember that Donna is the woman I love and want to make my wife. I hope it's not too late.
"Hey, buddy," Mike said patting Harvey on the shoulder. "Everything is going to be ok and I hear that you will have a surprise when you wake up from surgery."
"Well, I'll believe it when I see it. You know how much I hate surprises." Harvey said groggily.
"I'm betting you won't hate this one," Mike said squinting and looking away and then smiling on his mentor.
"Can't wait to get you back to the office," Rachel said as she also laid a comforting hand on Harvey. "Louis is driving us nuts with his "temporary managing partner" bull." Rachel smiled because she knew Harvey would get a real kick out of that.
"Yeah, tell him not to get too comfortable. I'm coming back. If only to undo all the screw ups," Harvey joked.
"Wouldn't have it any other way," Rachel said and then sniffed and turned away. She did not want Harvey to see how upset she was. Until Mike and her own associate status, Rachel had not much contact with Harvey unless she had been the specific paralegal on a case. Rachel had been, in the past, the victim of his wrath and also the recipient of his gratitude and realization that she was a very intelligent woman who was now a fine intelligent lawyer. She was very thankful for Harvey's outside-of-the-box tutelage as well.
Harvey ran down the cases he needed Rachel to first chair in court. Rachel informed Harvey she was all over it.
"You know what all over it means..." Harvey warned.
"In this case, I am all over it. Thanks to Gretchen and Amy," Rachel proudly stated. Gretchen and Amy were pulling double duty since Donna's departure.
"If we don't win, I will have to kick your butt," Harvey joked. "Truthfully, you are a very good lawyer, Rachel."
"Thank you, Harvey," Rachel said looking at her fiance. He smiled back at her but they both knew that if Harvey were in his regular state the compliment may not have come as easily.
"Where's my mother?" Harvey asked. The drugs were making him very groggy and he felt he could not keep his eyes open much longer.
"She's talking to the doctor," Mike answered. "She'll be back in a minute."
"Thank you, Dr. Anderson. I really appreciate everything you are doing for my son," Lily said gratefully.
"No problem. He should come through just fine. We have a very good neurosurgeon. You met him, correct?"
"Yes, he went over the procedure with us yesterday," Lily said. She shifted her weight from one foot to another as if she were impatiently waiting for someone.
"You seem agitated if you don't mind me saying. Is there a problem?"
"Well, I was able to locate Harvey's wife. She is trying to get here before he goes into surgery and I realize time is ticking fast," Lily said as she looked at the door to anticipating Donna's rushed appearance.
"Oh, I am so glad that Harvey's wife will be here. We can delay a little bit but not too long. Every minute is imperative," Dr. Anderson reitereated for the sixth time in three days.
"Yes, Donna is aware. She is coming from California."
"Oh, I see. Well, I will hold off for a couple of more minutes. I will come see you when we can wait no longer."
"Thank you. I really appreciate it, but Donna would not trade her travel time for Harvey's life. So please proceed when you are ready."
Donna looked at the car's clock from the backseat. She had felt very badly in contacting Ray at 5:30 am to pick her up at JFK airport. Ray said he did not mind because he was awake anyway as he was worried for Harvey as well.
"His surgery is still scheduled for 6 am and Harvey's mother just texted me and told me that if they can go on time they will. Lily felt you would not want them to wait until you arrived, " Ray said talking to Donna sitting in the backseat looking in the rearview mirror.
"Absolutely not. I will be there for sure when he wakes up," Donna said. Hopefully he'll remember me. Lily told me that he might have some memory lapses after he wakes up.
Donna looked at herself in the mirror. After hanging up with Lily the previous night, she hurriedly texted her friend, Brenda, and then her director to let her know of the family emergency on the East Coast and promised she would return as soon as she could. Donna decided that she could not promise she would be there for opening night next week and encouraged the director to use her understudy who was very good.
The director was not a heartless man and said that there would be a part for Donna in the next production. He especially wanted her for "The Taming of The Shrew" wherein she would play the heroine, Katherine. Donna could not promise she would be back, but she told him that if she decided that she could not come back then she would definitely tell him in plenty of time.
Donna resumed looking at herself in her compact mirror. Not exactly dressed to the nines, I'd say. My hair is up in a ponytail. My skin looks like I sprung an oil leak. These jeans are so uncomfortable and the top button on my blouse keeps popping open. Luckily I wore a camisole to bed last night; otherwise, Lily may think I was turning tricks instead of playing Lady MacBeth when I finally arrive.
Donna shut her compact after rectifying what she could. She asked Ray how Harvey looked last time he had seen him and if Harvey had been in his right mind when he talked with him. Ray told her that Harvey had been a little drowsy the last two times Ray had accompanied Lily to see Harvey. He was still coherent but knew that he was not in good shape.
"He asked for you several times, Donna," Ray said looking back at Donna's expression. Her big green eyes looked guilt ridden which was exactly how Donna felt.
"Thanks, Ray. Please hurry. Don't get a ticket. Just drive as fast as you possibly can."
"Absolutely, Donna. I haven't stopped since I got out of bed at 4:00 am."
Everyone waved to Harvey as he went into pre-op. Harvey was not totally unconscious yet. His head had been shaved in the event a complete craniotomy had to be performed not just where the surgeons were to drill into his skull and drain the blood from around his brain. Everyone said he should start a new style. Harvey's ego was not what it usually was right now, so he just laughed along with them. Now a few minutes before he was to be pushed inside and have his skull drilled, he thought about what had happened and what might have driven Donna away.
"Harvey?" Dr. Anton Ralkov asked.
"Yes?"
"Do you remember me? Dr. Ralkov. I'm the doctor who will perform your suction and evacuation of your hematoma. I just wanted to let you know again what's happening."
"Ok, thanks, Dr. Ralkov," Harvey said. He felt cold and vulnerable. Harvey hated feeling cold and vulnerable. His head was freezing. He then forgot that the nurses decided they needed to shave his entire head not just the part where the hole was being drilled.
"How are you feeling?" Dr. Ralkov asked.
"Cold, sleepy, awake, scared, a whole shitload of stuff," Harvey said. Normally not so blatant with his emotions, Harvey just wanted this whole experience to be over.
"That's normal. Don't worry. We'll take good care of you and then you can return to your wife."
"She's not here. I'm not even sure she's coming," Harvey said with a sad sigh.
"That's not what I saw. A striking redhead, somewhat disheveled made it into the family waiting room. Is your wife not a redhead?" Dr. Ralkov asked.
"Yes, she is," Harvey said with a smile. At this point he was confused as to whether he actually did marry Donna or they were still pretending. Harvey did not care. It brought him comfort for the doctor to address his very special lady as Harvey's "wife".
"Well, good, relax then, you're going to be awake during this procedure and then we'll have you rest up before we let you go. So without further ado, here we go….."
Harvey began to talk a little while the surgeon did his work.
Donna walked with a controlled flurry into the hospital. Ray could hardly keep pace with her. After many twists and turns, they both managed to find the elevator that led them down to the surgical floor. As they arrived in a hurry, both looking disheveled, Donna hurriedly asked where was Harvey Specter.
"Mr. Specter was just pushed through to surgery. Are you a relative of Mr. Specter's?" The nurse said politely but a little coldly. She was a trim older woman with experience. In her position she had become wary of people wanting access to the surgical floor.
"Yes, I'm his wife, Donna," Donna said.
All at once the woman's demeanor changed from contempt to comfort.
"Mrs. Specter! Of course, just follow me. The rest of your family is waiting in the family surgery waiting room."
Before turning to make her way with the nurse, Ray stopped Donna and implored her or someone to contact him once the surgery was completed.
"Of course, Ray," Donna said and then they embraced briefly. Donna then flew through the swinging doors which automatically opened as the nurse pushed the large button on the wall.
"He should be a couple of hours. The pressure in his skull did get to be pretty bad, so the doctor's ordered the boring to relieve the skull.
Donna cringed at the thought of any one drilling a hole into Harvey's head. She assumed they shaved his head. Donna smiled because even without hair she knew that Harvey's smile and beautiful dark eyes could make her knees turn to jelly. He could charm the panties off any woman-no matter how he looked. She was determined to be right by his side when he awoke. She wanted to apologize for her unthinking behavior. They would talk it through just like they had done everything previously when they were just friends.
When the nurse showed Donna into the waiting room, Donna found Scottie, Lily, Mike, Rachel and even Louis who had abandoned the office for the life of Harvey Specter. All exclaimed their surprise at seeing her, but the first one to run to her for a hug was Lily.
Donna held the older woman tightly.
"Thank you for coming and coercing me to return home. I think he does need me," Donna said softly into Lily's ear and then rubbed her back with comfort.
Lily leaned back and said, "Yes, he does. You are very special to him."
When Lily was finished embracing Donna every one took their turn and then Scottie shyly approached.
"I know you blame me for a lot of his unhappiness and anger. I know he loves you and I know you could not bear to return and he not be here for you. I'm so sorry, Donna for any pain I may have caused now and in the past," Scottie said.
Donna smiled through watery eyes and almost felt a little sorry for Scottie because she knew that Scottie also loved Harvey very much.
"I'm not mad at you. I'm grateful you were here when I was not. He does love you, too, in his own way. He's a complicated man as you know. I was certain he really wanted you to be his..." Donna began to say.
Scottie squeezed Donna's hand and said, "Donna! Harvey told me what happened in Boston between you two. Tell him, 'yes,' you'll marry him. He loves you so very much. He only wants to make you happy."
Donna wiped a tear from her eye and said, "I'll take it under advisement."
Scottie smiled and then Donna and she separated. Donna went to the seat between Lily and Rachel and they each took one of her hands and held tightly.