Hi! Thank you to all you are sticking with me through this long tale I am telling. It will end soon. Happy Fourth of July!

Donna Meets Lily -

Chapter 31

Dealing with Separation

One week later Rachel and Mike were finally united in marriage and unbeknownst to them their two best friends had been married for almost a month. How Harvey and Donna managed to maintain secrecy from not only their two best friends but from the whole firm was just beyond credibility. The firm was still not up to the standards it once had been, yet it was rebuilding and gaining more employees everyday. Perhaps the continued deception was attributed to that. Most of the people who had always suspected that Harvey and Donna's relationship was more than boss and secretary had left a long time ago.

The most incredible thing was how Louis had not discovered it yet. Not that Harvey did not want to shout his marriage to Donna from the rooftops. The fact remained that Louis still envious of Harvey for many things. One of them was the fact that he had Donna back as his secretary before she left and as his fiancee/girlfriend. Louis was always half in love with Donna and would constantly remark how lucky Harvey was to have her. Eventually Louis will find out but for now and for the sake of the peace in the firm between the two name partners and the friendship between Donna and Louis Harvey and Donna's marriage must remain quiet.

As for the outcomes of the bachelor and bacheorette parties, Harvey was actually hit on by one of the dancers. She resembled Donna: tall, shapely, with green eyes, but on closer inspection her red hair was from a bottle. He politely declined her far from subtle advances and invitation stating he was happily married and then drifted off to see how the groom had been faring.

Donna also had been approached at Rachel's shower. Donna was not approached by a man, but a woman whose name was Leila. Leila was a fellow student from Columbia Law School and had graduated with Rachel's class. Donna had remembered seeing Leila's name on the guest list but the thought had not crossed her mind that some of Rachel's friends could be homosexual or bisexual.

Donna was no way offended and let Leila know that she was happily heterosexual and engaged to a man. "However, if I ever decide to swing for the other team, you will be my first call." Leila and Donna began to talk about the theater as Donna found Leila also once an aspiring actress.

Now that the long awaited nuptials of Mike Ross and Rachel Zane had come to pass, the time came for Harvey and Donna to rekindle their engagement and then really make long awaited wedding plans. Donna, her mother, Roberta, and Harvey's, mom, Lily all wanted to help Donna with the long list of items needing to be completed. It was now second week of June and Donna had thought that a December wedding would be romantic. So she and Harvey agreed to be married on Christmas Eve.

One late Saturday night Donna received a call from her agent Ian Geffenfelder back in Los Angeles.

"Hi Donna!"

"Ian, how are you? How's California?"

"Less bright without you. I assume you didn't get that part in New York?"

Donna bowed her head for a moment. "No, they wanted someone a little bit younger for the lead, but they told me I might be right in the future for something else. So, to what do I owe this call?"

"Well, out here there is a new movie being made that needs a woman who would fit your description to a tee. I thought maybe you should be out here and audition for it. You're not pregnant yet, are you?"

"No, not yet. We're not exactly working on it. Many people here still do not know we are married. We have, however, become engaged and are planning a Christmas wedding."

"Well, you may not make your wedding, if you get this part," Ian said.

"Look, Ian, I know I want to make a go of my acting career, but I now have a real prescence in the firm. I am the first to hold this position so I think I can set a precedent."

"Donna, you could set a precedent with this role. It is the lead in a film about a woman going through transition...much like yourself."

"What is this? A remake of "An Unmarried Woman?" Because if it is Jill Clayburgh did well enough. I don't want comparisons."

"Not exactly. It's more like "Mahogany" only with a tall, beautiful, red head born on the wrong side of the tracks instead of a poor black woman born in Detroit's projects"

"Do I sing, too?"

"Yes, there are some opportunities for that. However, it isn't a musical. It's a serious drama with some comedy thrown in for good measure."

Donna sat on her and Harvey's bed not wanting to disturb Harvey and Mike in the living room as they watched the Yankees game on TV drinking a beer together. Rachel would have accompanied Mike, but she was visiting her parents as she had promised.

"I'll have to tell Harvey first. He's not only the managing partner of the firm, but my husband; and I promised him that I would be honest with him in situations like this. So when do I have to be out there?"

"Auditions are in a week for that part. I will express mail the script to you so you can read it and see if you are excited about it as much as I am. Just a word of warning to you, at your age you can't be too picky about recreating a suspended acting career. Private plays can keep you satisfied for a while, but I think the world needs more women like you in Hollywood."

Donna rolled her eyes because she had been hearing that speech since she started acting for any part right out of college.

"Yes, Ian, I know. I appreciate the thought. I will look forward to getting the script. Thank you," Donna said saying goodbye.

"No, thank you. I think once you read this you will see how right you are."

"Goodnight, Ian."

"Goodnight, Donna."

Donna hung up the phone. She continued to sit on the bed before returning to Harvey and Mike. She put her phone to her chin and sat there with the air conditioning freezing her thinly covered arms. She wanted to be excited, but she realized that now Harvey's support would be really tested. She did not get that part in New York, but the audition and the play itself would have been mostly in Manhattan so they would still be together somewhat. This was in California and there was no telling yet if the movie would be filmed in California or some other place. She decided as was her duty that she would keep Harvey abreast of any and all details beginning with the opportunity itself. She would wait until they were alone and Mike had gone home. She rose and carrying her phone returned to the living room slipping next to Harvey on the couch where she summarily placed her head in his lap.

"Excuse me? Make yourself at home, Donna."

"Well, don't mind if I do. What's the score?"

"Everything ok? Who was that on the phone?"

Donna looked up at her husband and said, "I'll tell you later."

Harvey knew that the phone call had made her agitated. They had always been close. They were now even closer and although Donna had been able to judge Harvey's body language for a long time, Harvey was just beginning to observe little nuances in Donna's body language. This time he knew the call she just fielded had been exciting or troubling as he noticed from just the little difference in her walk and body vibration when she plopped her head in his lap. He put down his drink as he examined her face and rubbed her thigh as she lay on her side with her head in his lap. He took her hand and she clasped it tight and laid her other one on top of it. The sparkling diamond in her engagement ring shone.

Mike had sneaked a look at them from across the coffee table. He was so happy that they were finally going to seal the deal. They were now very easy with each other but their need and fire for one another still burned brightly. Mike smiled at the bit of affection between them and recognized again at how much Harvey had changed from the man he first knew when Harvey hired him. Harvey seemed now a complete man not the emotionally unavailable man he once was. Harvey could still be rough around the edges, but these were not from any personal angst but from the job itself.

"What's the score, Harvey?"

"It's 10 -2 Phillies. I can't believe how much the Yankees are getting their asses kicked by this team," Mike complained.

"I thought you were a Mets fan," Donna asked Mike.

"I am. However, I am watching a Yankees game; and I don't want to piss off the boss by rooting for another team." Mike said in a fake whisper.

"Ok, ok," Harvey said.

Conversation died down until the last out of the ninth inning and the Yankees having lost 10-7. Donna had woken from her catnap and accompanied Mike to the door. Harvey and she stood in the doorway wishing a goodnight to Mike and telling him to give Rachel their love.

After Harvey had closed the door of their condo, he placed his arm around his wife's shoulders and stroked them.

"So are you going to tell me who that was on the phone and why you were so agitated when you came back to the living room?"

Donna stopped at the kitchen bar and took a swig of a long forgotten drink she had poured some hours ago. She sat down at the bar stool as Harvey swung around the other side putting away some odds and ends from their snack time. He eyed her as he put things away.

Donna looked up as Harvey's hands came to rest over hers.

"What's going on?"

"That was my agent, Ian, from California on the phone."

Harvey coaxed Donna into looking at him. With the creases in his forehead raising with his concern, Harvey asked, "So what's the problem?"

"He says there is a movie role out there for an older red head like me. He told me I would be perfect and that he wants me to audition for it in a week. He's fedexing the script to me, so I can read the part myself and go over the contents of the movie."

"Donna, as your lawyer, I want to be sure you are being treated fairly. So if you do go out there, I want to negotiate your terms. Now, as your husband, I want to look at this script, too, because I don't want to be without you for many months without a good reason."

"What about as my employer? This was one reason why I didn't get involved with men with whom I work."

"That's not a problem. You have an assistant and he's very good or you would not have hired him, right?"

"Yes."

"Don't worry. We could just say you were on an extended leave if you get the part."

Donna remained quiet and then when she looked at Harvey she had the slightest tears in her eyes.

"Ian said that if I get the part I wouldn't be able to have our wedding in December."

"So what? We can have it postponed. We are really married, you know," Harvey said as he removed his hands from Donna's and resumed wearing his wedding band which had been hidden in his shirt pocket the entire time Mike was here.

"You're missing something, Mrs. Specter," Harvey said as he found the ring jar Donna kept on the kitchen bar to safekeep her wedding ring and engagement ring in the event she had to remove them. Harvey retrieved the wedding band from the jar and placed it back on Donna's finger.

"That's where it belongs."

"I know that, Harvey. You really want me to audition for this part?"

Harvey did not hesitate. "Of course, I do. I said I would support you if you still wanted to pursue your acting career. I would be going back on my promise and I don't welch at bets and I don't go back on promises to you-especially you," Harvey emphasized with a kiss.

Donna smiled. "Thank you, honey. I am just going to read this script and my part. I'm not getting excited just yet."

"Hi, Donna, honey, when are you coming home?" Harvey asked anxiously.

"In a couple of days...I know I was only to be out here for a couple of days, but I have had to go back and read ensemble which means with other people to see how if we have connection on screen. I'm sorry," Donna apologized.

It had been two weeks since she had gotten the call from Ian. Upon reading the script and showing it to Harvey, Donna immediately phoned Ian to say she would be out in time to audition so he could put her name forward on the reservation list. Ian was certainly glad and Harvey acted proudly. However, after two weeks, of being separated from not only his wife but his operations manager was starting to take its toll on the managing partner -Donna's husband.

Harvey stomped by Donna's dark office. He insisted that her assistant, Nick, work from his cubicle. He was not allowed to work from Donna's office. Nick understood that and had no problem obeying that rule.

"Harvey," a voice said from behind Harvey's back as he stood in front of the dark office with only small illumination from the dim sunlight seeping in through the blind.

"Mike? What's up?" Harvey asked turning around and seeing his favorite junior partner.

"Donna's coming back."

"I know she is. But I miss her," Harvey said and then looked at his feet.

"Did she get the part?" Mike asked excitedly. He was happy for Donna, but he also knew that her absence was causing major separation anxiety for Harvey. Since Harvey was never good with change, Mike was surprised at how actually mature and supportive Harvey had been during Donna's whole absence. Everyone knew, though, from the moment Donna left until he day she comes back that they tread carefully when confronting Harvey. He had stomped by Mike's office on the way to Donna's. The rush of air caused by Harvey's swift movement was what woke Mike from his thoughts and caused Mike to confront Harvey.

"Not exactly. If she did she has had to re audition with another group of prospective cast members. She says she still going to be another couple of days."

"And she will come back, Harvey. You're wound so tight your nostrils are going to burst," Mike joked not really liking the color of Harvey's face. Harvey was not exactly pale and he was not exactly ruddy. Harvey looked like he was ill again. Maybe it was just that he missed his woman. Mike knew what that was like for certain.

"I miss her. That's all," Harvey said almost in a whimper which was so uncharacteristic of the great forceful spoken Harvey Specter.

"Well, look who has a heart," Mike joked again and patted him on the shoulder. "Hey man, I've been where you are. It'll be ok. Donna will come back and before you know it it will be Christmas Eve and you'll be on your way to becoming an old married man. Like me."

Harvey turned his head slightly to look at Mike. He sniffed a laugh and said, "Yep, I sure will."

Donna, in the meantime, was getting a little tired of reading the same six lines with every Tom, Dick or Harry that came along the pike for an audition. The casting director, Christina Slater, practically gave her the part of " Monica Dellatoro" the minute she read for it. How many times can one we read the same lines with a different actor and make the part still jump off the page? If one did not do that, however else would one cast the correct" Trevor Gannon"? Chemistry between the two main stars has to be the driving force of any story whether visual or literal.

"Ok, thank you for coming," Ms. Slater said as they latest "Trevor" waved his thank you's, winked at Donna, and then summarily exited the building.

"Donna, you can go home now. I think we've enough to go on," Ms. Slater said.

Donna hesitated for a moment and then rolling up her script approached the casting director.

"Ms. Slater?"

"Yes, Donna," Ms. Slater said turning around to face the actress.

"I just wanted to ask if I have this part for sure because I have obligations back in NY."

Christina looked at Donna. "Well, we have not made our final decision but you are definitely the best candidate we've seen so far. We just want to see one other person with the cuts made from the Trevor auditions. You should stick around for at least another week."

Donna bit her lip and said her thank yous and then went back to her old apartment which Ian had maintained knowing she was to return for the right part.

Donna was just coming out of the shower, wrapped in a long thick towel, when she had retrieved her phone to answer it.

"Harvey?"

"Lily," Lily said from the other end of the phone in reality the other end of the country.

"Lily, is Harvey ok?" Donna asked anxiously. Why else would her mother-in-law be calling her?

"As far as I know, I haven't talked to him since last week," Lily said. Donna had texted Lily to say that she had to be returning to California for a short audition opportunity and if she would not mind maintaining a watchful eye on her son for her she would appreciate it.

"Oh, good, I thought you were going to tell me he got sick again," Donna sighed deeply. She sat on her bed still wrapped in her towel. Across from her bed, she could see herself on the phone wrapped in the towel. Donna rubbed her belly and noticed a thickness she had not known before. Lord, I have to stop eating out while I'm here. I'm going to be fudgy face Monica Dellatoro before the movie starts shooting. Donna thought to herself.

"How's the audition? Why are you still out there? Harvey told me you would have been home by now. I'm sorry. It's none of my business. I just worry that's all," Lily said.

"You and my mother. My mom called me 15 times since I've been here. She's working on some of the other wedding plans like flowers, place settings, invitations. Things I would normally handle and things that Harvey has no clue."

"Of course. We know that. Is there anything I can do to help? I have a vested interest in this wedding happening. In fact, I think I am the cause it is happening in the first place."

"So, Lily, in recognition of coercing your son and myself to take the plunge privately and publicly, I redeem you from conscientiously working on the wedding. In other words, you did enough!" Donna laughed. She was glad to speak to someone from her family.

"If you insist, then, I will restrain myself. Oh, but Donna have you thought of photography?"

"Mike is a very good photographer. However, I think he is recruiting someone to help. He is partnered with my sister, Julia, in the wedding party; so he will have to do some double time."

"I've been working on something special for your wedding, but I need to know if you two plan to get a house after your public splash."

"Why?"

"Well because I have to know measurements," Lily said trying not to give too much away.

Donna hesitated because she really did not know. "So much isn't resolved, Lily. My part in this movie let alone my real job back at the firm. Have you asked Harvey?"

"Partially, yes, but he gives me the same stilted answer you have."

"Will that be a problem?" Donna asked removing the towel from her hair and then standing up removing the one from her body.

"No, I don't think so. It just won't be as easy. No big deal, Donna," Lily said. She looked at her watch. It was 8:00 pm in Boston. Four or five in LA.

"Well, I have to get some lesson plans finished for tomorrow."

"Goodnight, Lily."

"Goodnight, dear."

Harvey heard a bang coming from his front door. The walls in Harvey's condo-in-the-sky were usually almost soundproof. No one could usually hear clear as a bell anyone coming in the front door from the bedroom; therefore, the security system was the best in the industry. Of course, in the recent past, people have bought themselves past that security surprising Harvey when he walked into the living room part of his condo. Once or twice it was Jessica, once Scottie, and now Donna had infiltrated his living space more than once. Now that they were married, Donna was known to all in the building as Mrs. Specter. He thought she was a pitbull in the firm not allowing anyone in his office while he was not there. She was twice the pitbull when it came to their joint privacy.

Harvey popped his head up listening for any additional noises. All of a sudden someone in the dark kissed him fiercely.

"Donna!" Harvey exclaimed breaking the kiss and then quickly turning around and sitting up in bed took his wife's face in his hands and kissed her deeply a little more tenderly.

"Harvey," Donna said. She then took his hand and held it. She lowered her eyes.

"Donna, how are you here? What time is it?" He was full of questions. Donna pulled her eyes back to his and she clapped on the light next to him.

"I took the red eye from Los Angeles a few hours ago. Called Ray ahead of time so he could meet me at the airport. He insisted that I do that. It's 3:00 am. Eleven o'clock LA time."

He kissed her again.

"Oh Harvey. I have missed you so much," Donna said kissing him again.

Harvey took Donna in his arms and said, "I don't care what you have to tell me, Mrs. Specter. It can wait. I haven't made love to you in three weeks."

Donna quietly let Harvey do what he wanted.

The next day was Thursday. Harvey had not been told yet, but Donna was due back at the studio for publicity and her beginning shoot on Monday. It gave them a few days together, so Donna could wrap up her real job from which she had taken a temporary leave of absence. Donna had checked in with Nick a few times to be sure he was on the top of the thing she had left and he was not pissing off Harvey.

"Donna, I got this. Harvey is just ten times the bully when you are not here to calm him down and talk sense to him," Nick had told her about a week into her leave.

"Ok. Call me first if anything pops up. It shouldn't except for the change in procedure for the partners' buy-ins. If you need anything for that call me before Louis. He is the financial partner, but I am handling the change in policy. OK?"

"Of course, Donna. Have a good time in California," Nick had finished.

"Thank you, Nick," Donna said as she hung up her phone.

It was Friday afternoon, Harvey and she had come home from the firm early. Donna was technically on leave, however, she saw Nick and spoke to her friends. She did not confide in them that she was leaving for a five month stint which is what the studio told her would be the length of time to shoot the movie and then have her do a couple of preliminary interviews for getting the word out there about the movie coming soon.

Harvey came out of the bedroom into the living room rubbing his hair with a towel. He had decided to stay in his bathrobe. Although they had been in air conditioning most of the day, they decided to take a walk in Central Park before Ray picked them up. It was a hot July day and both of them had been sweating in their office garb. Donna again looked at herself and felt her belly and noticed that little swelling she first saw in LA a couple of days prior to coming home.

Donna sat at the table looking over her shooting and publicity schedule. She was due for voiceover for her narration of the movie first thing on Tuesday morning at six am. Harvey had been so happy and loving to have her back that she almost wanted to give up her role and stay there forever with him. However, she knew that if she did not complete this opportunity then she would forever wonder what would have happened had she not seized the day. She dreaded telling Harvey, though. She was afraid he would react like he did many months ago. Now that they were married being separated could be a lot more complicated.

Harvey came up behind her as she sat at the table. He placed a hand on each silk clad shoulder and squeezed. Donna had decided also to stay comfortably dressed after her shower.

"What's that?" He asked as he examined the paperwork lying on the table in front of Donna. He knew it must have been important because she had been immersed in it and hardly knew he was hovering about.

"Sit down, Harvey. We need to talk," Donna said.

Harvey took the chair next to hers He looked at her with concern and love in his big brown eyes.

"You did know that it was temporary my being here, right?" Donna said laying a hand on Harvey's blue velour covered arm.

"Yes. How long do we have and how long will you be away?" Harvey asked quietly. He dreaded her leaving him again. Every time she left she ripped a part of himself away with her. Harvey would never admit that to anyone; however, everyone knew how much he loved and depended on Donna. One only had to look in those big brown eyes and see.

"I have to be on the movie set at six am on Tuesday. I have to leave Monday night. I will be gone a total of five months and then I will have to go back for publicity in a year."

"Five months? That's brings you back in December, right? Just in time for our very public wedding you have been planning," Harvey asked hoping that she would agree with his calculations.

"Yes, if everything goes according to plan. However, they told me to plan for contingencies. I told them I was getting married and then I argued with them because they know I am already married. I almost got fired, so I negotiated coming home for a few days to wrap up my loose ends."

"Am I loose end, Donna? I'm your husband. I thought I meant more than that to you," Harvey's voice lowered in tone and raised in volume slightly.

"No, of course not. You mean everything to me. However, you know what this movie means to me. You said you would support me like I support you and have supported you in your career." Donna reasoned.

"Donna, that was different. You were my secretary..."

"I was more than that, Harvey, and you know it. We were former lovers and very good friends. I gave up my acting career because I loved you and I could not bear to be without you. You know this!" Donna knew getting Harvey to see her side of things was going to be tough; however, she did not think that he had erased all her care of him for the last 13 years from his mind.

"Yes, but above all, you were my secretary. What about your new job at the firm? Are you giving that up completely? I created that role for you, so you would feel more independent and not just my secretary."

"I thought I would just allow Nick to take over. He has done a terrific job as far as I can tell." Donna saw Harvey's face grow a little colder.

"Donna. That is your position. I said you could take a leave of absence for a few weeks not indefinitely."

"Ok. Who am I speaking with? My husband or the managing partner of Pearson, Specter Litt," Donna asked. "You're beginning to sound officious which is really beginning to piss me off. I knew working at my husband's firm was going to have conflicting loyalties, but I really thought the position had been affirmed because there was a need not a creation of the formidable Harvey Reginald Specter to get his on again/off again fiancee back! This is why I had that rule for so many years! Home and firm gets twisted and before you know it we won't have either!" Donna wanted to burst into tears, but she knew that would get nowhere with her husband. He had grown emotionally but he could still be cold and uncaring when he detected anything like weakness.

Harvey suddenly rose from his chair and threw his towel into the bedroom. He then followed the towel and dressed in his khakis and a golf shirt.

Walking back to Donna, he said, "I'm going out."

"No, you're not. You are not running away because it's too emotional. I am your wife now. You can't just walk out on me!"

"That's what you are doing to me...again!"

"Not because I want to. I have to. This is my one shot at a dream and if I don't take it, an opportunity like this will for sure not come again at my age. Can you understand that? Are you still too selfish to see me!"

Donna then stood up straight and with a flicker of revelation she said, "You never thought I would get the part, did you? You thought that the same thing that happened to me in New York would happen to me in LA? Admit it!"

Harvey opened his mouth to deny her accusation but he knew in his heart of hearts that it was true.

"No, Donna, I can't deny it. You're right. I thought for sure you wouldn't get it."

"So you never thought I was good enough. So all that talk of supporting me if I happened to get the part or some other acting opportunity was bullshit!"

"Donna. I didn't mean it that way. I meant that I know you are good enough for any acting opportunity that would present itself. However, I wanted to deny this and I told myself it couldn't happen. There? You see? That's it. I never doubted you or your ability. Like I told you once. You are one of the most amazing women I have ever met. When you married me, I was so happy that I thought my being your husband would be enough. That you would somehow forget about your acting career and immerse yourself in your new position at the firm and in my life."

Donna came up to Harvey and took him into her arms and held him tight. She closed her eyes and tried to will her resolve into him and her love for him to let him know he was her life. She had just wanted this one opportunity to do this. She thought he would be proud of her. He always had been proud of her before.

"Harvey?" Donna asked pulling back from their embrace trying to see through his hooded eyes. He looked up at the sound of her voice saying his name. He loved the sound of her saying his name in that soft tone she reserved for only him. Donna could see his eyes which were now red rimmed and tears that refused to fall.

"Please don't go. Let's talk about this. We only have a few days until we separte again. Maybe during the five months you can come out to California and spend a weekend? Our time apart will go quicker if we can spend some time together, right?" Donna stroked his hair behind his ear and silently begged for him to not leave but stay with her so they should not waste the little time they had to be together.

Silently, he embraced her and squeezed her tightly.

"Donna, I love you."

Then he let released her and slowly walked out the door of their condo-in-the-sky.