Author's Note: I wrote most of this before they episodes showing Harvey's childhood troubles. Lillian's looks come from my own imagination before seeing the actress they had play Lillian. Again, I don't own any of these characters except the ones I made up on my own. Please R & R I am always encouraged by those who do. Thank you. Will finish this one on a good note, I promise! - CC

Chapter 13

Harvey won the contest of which spouse would come home first. Harvey thought Donna would have been home before him home since she had called to tell him when he got to the office that she was leaving the hospice. He tried her cell but it went right to voicemail. Harvey thought that odd since there was a phone charger in the minivan. Harvey became worried because it was now 4:00 pm and Donna's mom and sister were going to be here any minute. They had reservations for 6:00 at one of the local upscale restaurants and it always took the women at least an hour to get ready for a night out.

Another twenty minutes went by and he decided to call Rachel to see if she had seen his wife since her absence was due to Donna's dress for her wedding.

"No, Harvey, I haven't seen Donna all day. I was at my mother's but that wasn't until around 11:00 this morning. I didn't think any more alterations had to be made for her dress. Besides her dress is still hanging in my mother's bedroom closet waiting for the big day. Why? Is something wrong?" Rachel asked concerned.

Harvey did not let on that he was now fuming. "No, I guess, she must have not needed it for some strange reason. Thanks, Rachel. I'll let you know if anything is wrong."

Harvey hung up. He did not know what to think. He did not want to think the worst of her, but lately she had been cagey about questions regarding that oversexed caterer coupled with the fact that she had to attend these odd meetings. Besides every time Harvey had accidentally looked into Donna's address book, phone, or computer Patronov's name and private phone number just seemed to appear.

Harvey knew Donna was not stupid or desperate but he just could not help feelings of jealousy infiltrate his mind. Just when his more concerned side overcame his feelings of jealousy, Harvey heard her come through the den door from the direction of the garage.

"Harvey!" Donna called. "Come help me! By the way, don't bring the children with you!"

The feeling of relief that his wife was safely home did little to quell his annoyance at what she was going to tell him. She knew she had lied to him about the dress alterations, and he hoped she had not been lying about seeing his mother. That was easy enough to prove. She would have had to sign the visitor's log.

Harvey walked toward where Donna had been calling him. Despite what she said about not bringing the children with him, he held Gordon to his shoulder. Harvey was dressed and ready to go on their foursome date, however, he had a cloth diaper slung over his one suited shoulder so Gordon, the King of Spitters, could not spit and coerce Harvey into changing again. Harvey was not so sure how many suits he had left in his closet since the baby seemed to spit all over him when Harvey was formally dressed every time Harvey picked up Gordon.

"Donna! Where have you been? You'd better hurry up and get dressed. Marcus, Kate, and the kids will be back in a few minutes. Your mom and sister will be here, too, soon! What the hell is this?" Harvey asked angrily as he spotted huge amounts of toys sitting in the den in front of the door connecting it to the garage. Donna was still carrying boxes, wrapping paper, and Christmas decorations as Harvey stared at the all the packages. The last thing he noticed she carried in were her shoes for Rachel's wedding. Seeing this brought Harvey's anger to the forefront knowing that she had deliberately lied to him. Something she had only done once or twice but never to the extent of this lie.

"This is the children's Christmas' presents and some additional decorations, among other things. Why the third degree? I got caught up in the Black Friday crowds and I got some real bargains. You'll be happy your credit card still has room on it for tonight." Donna said as she carried a large box containing a Barbie Townhouse which was obviously for Amanda.

"Where is Mandy?" Donna asked not seeing or hearing her daughter.

"She went with Marcus and Kate to get something at McDonald's before we go out," Harvey said quietly with an edge to his voice.

"What about my baby?" Donna said in a baby voice taking Gordon, the diaper, and the bottle from Harvey. "Please put the obvious toys someplace where Amanda can't get to them."

"Donna," Harvey was pissed. "We don't have time for this. Besides where were you?"

"I told you. I had to go to the seamstress' and then I went to see your mother and then I spotted a bargain at FAO Schwartz as I was driving so I had just had to stop. I guess I just was enjoying myself too much and forgot about the time."

"You never went to the seamstress' this morning because you never had an appointment there to begin with, did you? I told you I know when someone is lying to me and you did and I know you did. Did you really go see my mother or should I call them and have them check the visitor's log for your name, Donna Specter!"

"Harvey, stop! Not now. Let me get Gordon settled and then I will tell you everything." Donna knew she had been caught. Harvey could never tolerate lying, subterfuge, or dishonesty of any kind. Although as a lawyer he had done it a few times to get the settlement he wanted. However, dishonesty and lying were anathema to their own relationship. It was intolerable. Lying to him, no matter how little a fib, Harvey felt as a great betrayal. It was just a little of the emotional baggage that his mother had given him when she had finally left him, his brother and father.

Donna quickly rocked Gordon and he fell asleep. She kissed him on the forehead and laid him in the bassinet which she realized he would outgrow soon. She then went in search of Harvey. She had found Harvey had retreated to their bedroom accompanied by a large glass of Macallan 18. Donna noticed there was not one for her. Carrying over from the office ritual she and Harvey would sometimes have their scotch at home after a particularly rough day at the office and after they had gotten Amanda to sleep for the night.

"Harvey," Donna said quietly. Just before she was going to confront him about his outbursts and ask him about his accusations, Amanda came running in to see her mommy who had been gone all day.

"Mommy!" Amanda Specter exclaimed rushing into her mother nearly knocking Donna over.

"How's my big girl? Did you have French Fries?" Donna asked feigning wide eyed innocence and excitement.

"Yes! I played in the tubs," Amanda said excitedly. Then she ran to Harvey who picked her up and hugged her fiercely as if she were the only one in the world he could hold onto and would not hurt him.

"Tubes, right?" Harvey smiled. He loved his children so much. He would never do to them what his mother had done to him and his brother. He thought Donna understood. Could he have judged her so wrong after 14 years together, well, more or less together?"

Harvey continued to smile and talk with Amanda seemingly to ignore that Donna was in the room with them. Eventually Donna turned away and walked out of the bedroom arriving in the living room welcoming her just arrived mom and sister and reintroducing them to the other side of the family.

"Mom, can you look in on Gordon for a moment? I got home late from the city and I have to get dressed or we'll be late for our dinner reservations. He's in the den. I left the baby monitor in the nursery."

"Of course, dear," Roberta Paulsen stated. She noticed Donna's teary eyed look and thought how strange that was for her to see the tears in her daughter's eyes. Roberta knew something was not quite right between her daughter and her husband at the moment. However, no marriage was ever perfect even if the two knew each other the way Harvey and Donna knew one another. She was sure they would work it out. They had not loved one another for fourteen years for nothing.

When Donna had returned to their bedroom she had noticed that Harvey had not moved from the French doors that led to the outdoor balcony right outside their bedroom. He just stood there with the half empty glass in his hand.

"How many of those have you had, honey?" Donna asked calmly. She began to get out of her pantsuit. After removing her last article of clothing except her bra and panties, Donna padded quickly into the bathroom for a quick shower. She could be showered, dressed, and all made up in 15minutes. Tonight she would have to wear her red locks up because there was no time to play with them. Since having the baby not only was she continually leaking milk her hair had begun to lose the thickness and luster it had contained with the pregnancy hormones. "It's still beautiful" Harvey had said one night not long ago as they lay in bed and he played with a few strands that lay errantly on his pillow.

This was not going to be a fun night. Harvey had not answered her question just continued to play with the liquid trapped in the glass and glaring at her as if she had committed a horrible crime. If he would just let her explain, she would know that she had made a terrible error in judgment. She could not have known that he was thinking the worst of her right now. They would have to pretend to have a good time because it was way too late to cancel out with Marcus and Kate now.

Donna came out of the bathroom fifteen minutes later dressed and coiffed to the nines. At any other time Harvey would look at his wife and immediately want to rip her clothes off and take her to bed, however, he did acknowledge to himself that his wife was definitely a sexy, beautiful woman and apparently not the only man who thought so. Well, yes, he had always known that, but before he never thought his wife would actually respond to someone else; at least not while she was still married to him.

"Are you ready to go?" Harvey asked menacingly clutching the glass of scotch and gulping the remaining contents.

Donna, almost afraid at Harvey's behavior, stated succinctly, "Are you driving or did you call Ray?"

"You called Ray the other day, didn't you?" Harvey harshly asked stopping in his tracks directly in front of Donna. He was practically breathing fire at her.

"Harvey, before we say things to each other and in front of Marcus and Kate, let me explain about this morning," Donna said taking a seat on the bed. Harvey had turned to stand in front of her and continued to clench and unclench his jaw. He was terribly close to losing his temper.

"Har.."

Suddenly Marcus came in abruptly and said, 'Ray just pulled up guys. Are you ready?"

Donna rose as Harvey smiled and said to his brother, "Of course we are. Donna?" He followed her out of the bedroom. In her ear as he walked past, he said through clenched teeth, "This isn't over."

Donna stopped in her tracks momentarily. Standing there in her Manolos and her $900 gown, she had a hard time taking another step forward knowing that when she got home she may have lost her husband for good.

The upscale Italian restaurant that the four Specters patronized that Black Friday evening contained an ambiance and level of sophistication that one usually on encountered in downtown Manhattan. The place was all glass, candles, expensive wine and expensive food. Harvey had told his brother and Kate that the sky was the limit. His treat to which is brother said, "As usual." Then Kate took her husband's arm and gratefully thanked Harvey and Donna for their hospitality this weekend.

"Nonsense, we love having you here. We don't do this enough," Donna said and meant it leaning next to her sister-in-law giving her a side hug and squeeze. Donna had noticed the look in Kate's eyes as she and Harvey had exited from their bedroom. Donna knew that Kate suspected something was amiss between them. She said nothing as she always thought it only proper that was between husband and wife stayed between husband and wife. Donna was grateful for the distraction of this evening's dinner as she needed time to be sure of how she carefully told Harvey where she had been during the day.

While she had been visiting Harvey's mother and twice more during her shopping and driving exertion, Sergei tried to contact Donna. He sent her a text and called her twice. The text was apologetic in tone, but the subtext was that he would expose their little meetings to her husband and exaggerate the reasons for them. Upon receiving that text, Donna called Sergei back and threatened police action and threats of a lawsuit for attempted rape. Sergei's responded with laughter to these messages. He laughed nonchalantly in her ear her over the phone and threatened her to just try to prosecute him. Donna had been hoping to scare Sergei because he must have known that Harvey had been a very good Assistant District Attorney for a couple of years and had successfully put the criminal element behind bars.

Harvey had looked at his wife and tried to find that sparkle in her eyes when she knew she was being admired. He could not detect it tonight. Donna was off her game, and Harvey guessed her neglect of him and her children today may have been the cause. He knew she had been lying to him. He just could not figure out why. His research this afternoon had shown that this guy was as much a fraud of being a Russian immigrant as Mike Ross was a Harvard graduate. The only difference was that in the catering business one could not get prosecuted for not having gone to cooking school. However, one could go to jail for falsifying records and acting in a fraudulent manner. He wondered if Donna knew his Russian accent was fake and his background story of his mother and father exiting Communist Russia before the wall fell was just as false as Mike's presence in the New York Bar.

Again, as Harvey shared a laugh with his brother and noticed the men looking at his stunning wife, he wondered how Donna had fallen for this guy. She liked dangerous men, but she also liked honesty. That was the main reason he loved her because she was always the only one he could trust and also that she loved him with all his faults and vulnerabilities as well as his arrogant manner and overbearing ego. Donna saw through all that to the man he was inside. She always told him he was a good man even for a little too much arrogance. Harvey decided that they needed to clear the air when they got home.

Kate and Donna excused themselves for a trip to the ladies' room when Marcus' comment did not get a rise from Harvey.

"You are a million miles away. I just told you that a ghost of dad was haunting the kids and you didn't blink an eye. What's going on?"

Harvey smiled deferentially, took a drink of the last water in his water glass and said, "I think Donna may be cheating on me."

Marcus began to laugh. "There is no way in hell that wife of yours is doing anything like cheating on you. That woman loves you like I never seen a woman love a man. Not even my wife and we've haven't gone through half the shit that you and Donna have. Cheating on Harvey..." Marcus took a drink and finished his giggle.

"Well, she lied to me where she was going today. She admitted that. She was going to tell me when you interrupted us to say that Ray was sitting in the driveway."

"Harvey, when does Donna have time for an affair?" Marcus asked logically thinking whereas his brother's insecurities blocked his common sense. "Think. She works five days a week at the firm with you. Then she goes home to a rambunctious almost two year old and a four month old whom she is trying to wean from nursing. If you're home late, I'm sure she is waiting for you to see how you spent the rest of your day since she had left. Stop me when I'm wrong, Harvey..."

"No, I guess you have a point. She doesn't have much time. She did lie to me today for sure. I found out from the bride herself. She confirmed that Donna never had a seamstress appointment. Rachel told me that Donna's gown is still hanging in her mother's bedroom closet and that neither one of them had seen her today."

"Harvey, if you're that suspicious, confront her. See what her side is. You're a lawyer, isn't that your job?"

"I'm her husband not her lawyer. There are different rules for that as you know," Harvey said receiving his scotch from the waiter whom he had signaled.

"Yes, I know, and I highly doubt that Donna has broken any marriage laws."

"Well, we'll find out won't we?"

It was a nice ride home. Between the four of them, it was clear that Marcus and Kate had had the better time. Of course, they were not at odds with one another. In the morning, Kate was planning a shopping excursion into the center of town and she had employed Donna into babysit her and Marcus' three loud and rambunctious children. Harvey had planned to be there and would gladly join in helping. He had always enjoyed being an uncle and now that he was a father, himself, he felt at home around people younger than 10 years old. Donna had invited Rachel and Mike over since it was still the holiday and thought that everyone sitting around their fireplace with close friends and their family members was the best way to spend it. Harvey and Marcus were going to visit their mother again while Marcus was still in town. Harvey thought maybe if she was strong enough they could take her on a little excursion of their own.

The four of them came in laughing quietly over a quip Harvey had made about one of his more inane clients. Kate who managed to get a little tipsy with little food and lots of booze hiccupped as she asked Julia and Roberta about the collective bunch of children. Julia said everyone was well behaved and she read them a whole library of books before they fell asleep. Roberta had fallen asleep in the chair with one hand on Gordon's bassinet and the other a copy of "Fifty Shades of Grey" in her other.

They exchanged pleasantries. Marcus and Kate kissed everybody goodnight and amorously went to the guest bedroom to sleep. Before attempting to leave Donna invited Julia and her mother to stay the night as it was a long way home. Julia said they were staying in town and were planning a little Christmas shopping in the morning. Donna smiled and then helped awaken their mother. After accompanying them to the door, Donna went over to the bassinet and picked up her son. He was getting so big. She kissed him carefully on the forehead and kicking off her heels she carried her precious cargo in one arm and lifting her skirt with the other climbed the stairs to put the baby in his bed before she looked to where her husband had escaped and stand tall for the fight that was inevitably to ensue.

"Did you look in on Mandy before coming in here," Donna asked Harvey as she watched him remove his cufflinks, undo his tie, untuck his shirt from his pants. Before he finished undressing he looked over at Donna.

"Yes, I did. Gordon, ok?"

"Yes, he's sound asleep. He is getting quite large and heavy. He was wearing his Christmas onezie that mom bought him for Christmas. He looked like a little chubby baby elf," Donna said with a big smile. She saw Harvey turn around and he looked tired. He looked like he was not up to fighting just yet.

"Harvey? I think we need to finish that discussion we started before we went to dinner," Donna said as she watched him continue to run through his nightly routine of hanging up his clothes, discarding the dirty ones for the dry cleaners or washer and walk into the spacious bathroom for a quick relaxing shower. Harvey continued to walk by his wife in silence. He barely acknowledged her as she stood there and talked.

"Harvey!"

"Not now, Donna. I'm tired. Whatever discussion we started we can do it tomorrow." Harvey went into the bathroom and closed the door.

Donna knocked to make sure it was all right that she follow him in. There were still some bodily functions where they both observed common courtesy.

To Donna's dismay, she heard the shower go on. The door was not locked, so Donna took that to mean that she could go in if she wanted.

"Harvey, I know you're mad at me. It's happened before, but I think if you let me explain you see why I did what I did"

As she stared in the mirror, she could see glimpses of Harvey's naked body in the opaque shower doors. Donna's heart and desire to join her husband in the shower fired her up. She knew that if she were to drop naked in front of him in the shower he could not resist her, but she knew that in the morning the wall would be back up and they would pussyfoot around each other in front of Marcus and Kate who already suspected something was awry.

"Harvey, I really do not want to go to bed with you pissed at me. I know you've erected that emotional wall that I have to tear through in order to find out what you're thinking. Fight me, if you want to goddamnit, I thought we were well past this point in our relationship."

Suddenly the shower jerked off and Harvey slid open the doors in a rush. Taking his bathrobe from the hook and a towel from the rack he started to dry his hair and stare his wife in the eye.

"If you want to have it out then let's have it out, Mrs. Specter! If you tell me that you're having an affair with that oversexed, overbearing, faux Russian oaf, I'm going to say I thought you were. You were really clever, though. You fit in with your "visits" to the seamstress or to the hospice or during lunch for all I know!"

Donna did not know whether to laugh or cry. She knew he thought she was cheating on him. She had loved this man through thick and thin and he still did not trust her completely.

"Fourteen years, Specter! We have been together as man and wife for almost three and you are now accusing me of infidelities? Do you know how frigging crazy that sounds. Two of the last three years I have been pregnant and worked full time at your side five days a week, ten hours a day. Where the hell would I get time to have an affair?"

"I don't know, Donna, you tell me!" Harvey stormed back at her and threw the towel in the wash basket hidden in the corner of the bedroom. He had dressed in a t-shirt and pajama pants before removing his bathrobe and dropping underneath the covers. She was not getting a show tonight, he thought. I am not falling for her seduction tonight. I am mad and I am remaining mad.

"Good night Donna," Harvey said and turning away from her shut his light out leaving Donna in the lighted bathroom. She quickly undressed, hanging up her gown, and removing her makeup and undoing her coiffure slipped into her own nightclothes and snuggled under the covers turning away from Harvey facing the other side of their bedroom. The clock on the nightstand said 1:00 AM. Donna could not believe he was not allowing her to tell him the truth. Well in the daylight, they would have to have it out sooner or later. Preferably, Harvey would not due battle in front of Mike, Rachel, Marcus or Kate or, of course, the children. That would be the worst.

On the other side of the bed, Harvey sighed deeply. He hated being mad at his wife. His whole life surrounded her. At one time not so long ago it was hard for Harvey to realize this, however, once he did a whole new chapter had opened for him and Donna. Feeling bad about his behavior earlier, he turned over and saw the back of Donna's head. As usual a few strands of her hair had lain errantly on is pillow. He picked it up and gently put it with the rest. He could feel Donna's presence lying next to him, but she was too far away. He wanted her warmth next to him. He scooted closer to her and tentatively put his hand on her hip. He whispered so quietly that Donna was not sure she even heard him.

"You know I love you, Donna. We'll talk in the morning. I promise." He kissed the back of her head not knowing if she had heard him. He settled next to her leaving his hand on her hip.

Donna smiled from her side and knew that Harvey had just grown another three feet of emotional length. She knew he would keep his word and then she could tell him the horrible almost threatening experience she had suffered with that ass of a caterer, Sergei Patronov or Samuel Peach, which Donna discovered was his real identity. Among Donna's other stops she had gone into the public library and quickly used one of the computers for a little internet investigation. She did not like the results and once when Harvey had calmed to reasonable discussion again she was going to apologize and let him know what she found.