Prompt #5 by tofuttiM: "Domestic Darvey. Harvey and Donna host their first dinner party as a newly married couple. Something goes wrong and they must come together to fix it . (Creative liberty to the author on what goes wrong however serious or not serious it is)."
After getting married in such a spontaneous ceremony and deciding on a new destination for their married life, Donna and Harvey spent a few months in a rental house in Seattle while they weighed their options for purchasing their home together. It wasn't a decision they wanted to rush, and by the time they found the perfect place, it was already October. Donna had only asked one thing to her husband: to have their home adequately prepared to host a Christmas dinner. And she has been planning it for the last two months.
It's 9:30 in the morning on Christmas Eve, and Donna has been up for over two hours, arranging (again) the Christmas tree decorations.
"Donna..." Harvey repeats for the umpteenth time that morning, watching her from the bottom of the ladder where his wife is. "No judge is coming to score our tree, there's no need for more details."
She huffs with frustration, and meets her husband's gaze. "I want this tree and tonight to be perfect, Harvey."
"The tree already looks perfect," he says, walking towards her and taking her hand to help her down until she's standing in front of him. He pulls her closer, his hand resting on her butt, she's still wearing her nightgown, so he feels her bare skin. "And everything will be flawless tonight because you always make things impeccable. Breathe, Donna. It's Christmas, not the end of the world."
She exhales deeply and rests her forehead against Harvey's chin, embracing him in return. "I'm a little overwhelmed, sorry," she murmurs, nuzzling closer to him.
"Just a little?" he asks with a chuckle, making her giggle too. "Hey... You've handled much more complex things than organizing a Christmas dinner. You'll nail this." He asserts and sweetly kisses her.
Around noon, she takes a shower, attempting to calm herself a bit. While she's wrapping herself in her robe, her husband knocks on the bathroom door.
"Come in,"
Harvey opens the door, immediately hit by the steam. "I have to leave for a while. I've finally gotten Matthew to agree to speak, and you know how crucial his testimony is to proceed with the Gutierrez case. I've been after him for weeks, and he's called to say he's ready. And he could change his mind at any moment, it needs to be done now." Although his wife already knows, Harvey explains again, trying to reassure her.
"Promise you'll be back in time?"
"I promise," he says, flashing that soft smile he knows weakens Donna.
"Don't smile like that to melt me." She grumbles, raising her index finger accusingly.
Inevitably, Harvey's smile deepens. "You know all my tricks, that's unfair."
"Yeah, you've married the woman who knows you the most in the world. That has its consequences."
"And since you're the woman who knows me best in the world, you know I'll do everything in my power to be back in time," Harvey replies, walking the few steps that separate him from her and making her turn until she has her back against his front. Harvey wraps his arms around her, Donna places her hands over his, and they face the mirror. "I can't let this testimony in the case slip. I'll do my job and come back to celebrate Christmas with you, okay?" he says, tenderly kissing her temple.
"Okay," she responds because she knows she can't object. "I'd prefer you not to go, but I know you have to. Can you keep me updated?"
"I will, Donna," he says, and she turns her head a bit and kisses him before he leaves.
"You promised me you'd be on time!" Donna shouts upon hearing her husband approach, completely frustrated and on the verge of a nervous breakdown. The kitchen around her is in absolute disarray, and the hopes of this Christmas dinner turning out well are beginning to fade. Harvey enters, wearing a stupid smirk on his face and holding his wife's favorite coffee. "You won't win me over with coffee, even less so with that stupid smile again," she grumbles, not focusing too much on him; there are still too many things to resolve in the kitchen. "And you thought it was a good idea to waste more time stopping to buy me a coffee?"
"What if I also brought this?" he calmly asks, pulling out a small package of Christmas cookies purchased from the same café.
"You better start helping here right now, Harvey." She retorts with her hands resting on the counter, and the look she gives him over her shoulder is anything but friendly.
"Hey, hey–" he exhales deeply, sets things aside, and walks toward her, placing his hands on her lower back. "I'm sorry, I wanted to be on time. You know these things can get delayed." He says with a conciliatory tone and leans in enough to tenderly kiss her cheek. "We'll make it all work, Donna. We always do."
"Leave that coffee and those cookies and go change," she says somewhat authoritatively. "And come back here, because otherwise, I have no idea what the hell we'll serve for dinner."
"At your service," he says, attempting to maintain a serious tone but failing, as both end up bursting into laughter.
A few hours later, the first guests to arrive are Mike and Rachel, which is a relief for Donna and Harvey, as they need all the help they can get in the kitchen. Neither of them is particularly skilled in the kitchen, and Donna was determined that everything had to be homemade. As the minutes pass, this determination becomes increasingly terrifying.
Later, Marcus arrives with the kids. And a little while after, Jim and Clara arrive as well, with Donna's father being in the worst mood as his flight was delayed due to a snowstorm, and few things irritate Jim as much as delays. Both Donna and Harvey show their family around their new home and then invite them to sit down, while hurrying back to the kitchen, which looks like it has just been hit by a bomb.
Donna opens the oven, more hopeful than certain, and frustration overwhelms her when she sees that the turkey still looks damn raw. "No, Harvey, there's no way this will be done in time for dinner," she grumbles, burying her face in her hands, foreseeing a disastrous night.
Harvey exhales with a bit of guilt and approaches her, wrapping his hands around her wrists to remove them from her face. "We won't have turkey for dinner, it's not a big deal."
"Harvey—" she chuckles half-heartedly. "What are we supposed to serve?"
He shrugs and releases her hands, trying to lighten the situation a bit because he wants his wife to have a good Christmas Eve. "The salad for the starter is ready. We have glazed ham, which will work as the main course. The mashed potatoes are also done. Now, we'll take that turkey out of the oven and fill a baking dish with vegetables—carrots, brussels sprouts, and sweet potatoes with herbs, that's what my grandmother used to make for Christmas when I was a kid. Marcus will love it."
"And where will we get those vegetables from, Harvey? I don't even know if there's anything in the fridge," she says, completely rejecting the proposal as a solution.
"I'll go buy them now, Donna," he says calmly, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close to him. "What's wrong? Are you still mad at me?"
She can't help but let her lips curve upward. "That's only fun when I'm the one guessing your moods."
Harvey presses his lips, suppressing a chuckle. "I've had the best teacher by my side for many years," he says tenderly and admirably, pulling her even closer. "And as we've spent many years side by side, I know we can handle this dinner. We've fixed things a hundred thousand times harder."
"And what do I do with my anger?" she asks, pouting her lips, aware that it would be a low blow for her husband.
"I have an antidote for that," he says with that familiar smirky smile Donna knows so well. Without another word, he leans in, burying his face in her neck, trailing a delicate path of kisses from her pulse, tracing the curve along her neck, skimming over her jawline, and culminating in a soft, lingering kiss on her lips. Each touch feels like a tender dance, a gentle exploration of familiarity and affection, creating an intimate moment between them.
"Yeah, I hate you," she says with a chuckle mid-kiss, finally wrapping her arms around her husband's neck, pulling him closer to her.
"I love you too, Donna," he replies with another chuckle and refocuses all his attention on his wife's lips.
"But, if you don't want to have to give me another antidote soon, go get those vegetables right now."
"Mmm… I don't mind giving you another antidote at all," he breathes, resting his forehead against hers.
"I know, but there are people out there, and I really want tonight to go well. It's started off quite bumpy."
"Do you trust me?"
"You know I do."
"We'll make it work,"
"Where will you find something open to buy the vegetables?"
"Just trust me," he replies, without waiting for her response, kissing her before heading out.
Once Donna is alone again, she removes the turkey from the oven and shifts her attention to preparing the glazed ham, which seems like a much more reliable option. She checks the kale salad with walnuts and cranberries, preparing the balsamic vinaigrette dressing separately.
"Hey, pretty, do you need some help?" Rachel asks, peeking out through the door, and Donna looks up. "Judging by your face... A lot of help."
"No turkey," Donna sighs.
"Yeah, it didn't seem like it was going to cook in time,"
"I know, I know," she replies, frustration still bubbling inside her. "We'll serve the ham, and Harvey went to buy some vegetables to make with herbs. The best help you can give me is to keep my parents entertained. It's their first time here, and that just makes me even more nervous."
"Whatever you need, Donna," Rachel kindly says, approaching her friend to rub her back affectionately. "It's Christmas Eve, but it's still just dinner. Relax, alright? If you need anything, Mike and I will come to the rescue."
She exhales deeply and eases her shoulders a bit. "Thank you, Rach."
Harvey returns much sooner than Donna expected, which feels like a small victory because she knows that making her father wait (again) could make the night less enjoyable. As the team they always have been, they quickly organize themselves in the kitchen. While Harvey rapidly peels the vegetables, Donna cuts them, and Harvey takes care of placing them in an oiled baking dish, adding the herbs, so they can roast in the oven while they join their guests to savor the starter.
"It's done, and in record time!" Harvey cheers, raising his hands after placing the last pieces of vegetables.
Donna high-fives him, nods, and leans in to peck his lips. "We did it!"
While the vegetables finish roasting in the oven at a low temperature, they bring the necessary dishes for the starter, along with the salad dressed with the vinaigrette Donna had prepared while waiting for Harvey.
Sitting there with their closest family and best friends, they start to feel like the evening is finally turning towards a pleasant and cheerful one. Donna and Harvey, with comments and additions from Mike and Rachel, update their relatives about their new life in Seattle, and everyone begins to relax.
When Donna and Harvey return to the kitchen, they rejoice upon finding the vegetables nearly ready and set out to arrange the glazed ham in a beautiful tray that was Donna's grandmother's, and the vegetables on a dish that was Lily's and in another they bought together, they put the creamy mashed potatoes.
No one questions the chosen menu, no one mentions the absence of turkey, and finally, the newlywed couple can fully relax and enjoy dinner.
Harvey's hand slides smoothly and discreetly onto Donna's thigh under the tablecloth as he leans slightly towards her.
"I told you it'd work," Harvey murmurs softly, with a smirky smile.
"Alright, for once, it was your turn to save the day," she replies with a more boastful smile than his, winking at him. Harvey chuckles and playfully squeezes her thigh, knowing it will make her squeal, and she has to contain herself. "Idiot!"
"I might be an idiot, but I saved the night."
She rolls her eyes and leans a bit more into him. "You'll get your reward tonight."
"I didn't say that for that reason," he replies, feigning indifference.
"I can see it all over your face, Harvey," she adds and kicks him under the table, urging him to behave in front of their guests.
"Tell me, Harvey... What cases have you been working on recently?" Jim asks, awkwardly clearing his throat.
"Well, Jim..." he begins, relaxing a bit to start talking with the passion he always has for his job, under the attentive and admiring gaze of his wife, who adds some details to his story, along with their colleagues sitting across the table.
The evening seems to be finally going smoothly and after the main course, the atmosphere lightens up completely, especially for the newlywed couple. Everyone engages in the conversation, including the children, to whom Donna and Harvey have to promise a Christmas snowball fight the next day. Mike and Rachel seem like family, and Marcus discovers why Harvey had risked so much for that man. Donna greatly appreciates every interaction between her parents and her husband, knowing that for both Harvey and Jim, this still requires some extra effort, and she truly values that from both of them.
The moment for dessert arrives, so the couple heads back to the kitchen to bring to the table the tableware and a selection of Christmas desserts: pumpkin pie with whipped cream, decorated gingerbread cookies, and plum pudding with vanilla cream.
The kids immediately grab the cookies, and despite Donna noticing their disgusted faces, they still finish the cookie. However, they don't reach for more.
As she tries the pumpkin pie, she realizes immediately, upon taking the first bite, that the bitter taste isn't right. Without asking for permission, she steals a bite of plum pudding from her husband, and here, the opposite happens. The pudding is so sweet that it becomes overwhelming instantly.
Everyone falls silent, and she looks up, surveying each of them. No one needs to know as much about body language as she does to guess that everyone is struggling with those desserts. And that just pushes her back into the well of frustration. She really thought she had pulled it off, that they had saved the Christmas dinner. She had dreamed so much about this night; it had been her goal since they signed the house purchase. She had thought of every detail, making sure nothing was left to chance. And her meticulously planned Christmas dinner was turning out to be far from perfect.
"I'm sorry," Donna murmurs after a few seconds in the midst of a somewhat tense silence. "You don't have to eat the desserts; I know they're not good," she adds, intending to remove them from the table.
"Donna, it's not necessary," Marcus tries to cheer her up, but Donna knows it is.
"I guess I wasn't ready to host a dinner like this," she self-criticizes, but before she can say more, Harvey stands up because he knows much of the fault is his too. He promised her they would cook all of this together. He won't say it out loud to avoid making her feel worse, but the desserts are truly inedible.
"Donna, don't worry," Clara also tries to cheer her daughter up.
"I'm sorry, it's my fault too," Harvey finally speaks up, placing a hand on Donna's lower back. "We had to improvise with the main course because of me, and the dessert not turning out well is also my fault."
"No, Harvey. I should have been able to figure it out on my own," Donna says, uncomfortably biting her inner cheek.
"I promised you I'd be here for us to do it together, and I was gone all day. I left you alone; the responsibility is shared."
"Harvey, no—" Donna responds, but Jim interrupts her.
"I was right. You're still the same selfish person as always," Donna's father says under his breath, but everyone hears it, and the atmosphere becomes uncomfortably tense in a split second. "I told you, Donna." He adds, avoiding Harvey's gaze.
"No, Dad. You're not going to speak like this about my husband in front of me." Donna jumps to defend Harvey, even before Harvey himself can do so. "And we're not having this conversation here," she adds, with the last glimmer of hope left to salvage Christmas Eve.
"Do you remember what I told you when you first started dating Harvey? I warned you that he's too selfish. You argued that he'd throw himself under a train for you, and I don't doubt it. But it's not just about that. It's important that the man by your side can prioritize your needs over his, Donna!"
"Jim, please." Harvey intervenes, as calmly as he can. "This isn't the place to discuss this."
"You're a damn selfish man, Harvey! You always have been with my daughter, and I see that you still are. And you've been selfish with me too!" Jim responds, ignoring both of them and raising his voice more and more.
"Jim, calm down," Clara pleads.
"No, I won't. Because this man decided to marry my daughter without me being present, without being able to walk her down the aisle. I don't need any other proof that he's a damn selfish man!" Jim's words carry a mix of hurt and disappointment, his accusation laden with the weight of a father's feeling of exclusion and a sense of having lost a cherished role.
"Dad, he proposed to me, but I accepted it too! If anything, blame and selfishness lie with both of us. But you know what? I won't apologize for that. And I won't regret it either." Her voice trembles slightly as she tries to justify her choice, she feels uncomfortable and ashamed about the situation being discussed in front of others.
"He's making you as selfish as he is, Donna!" Jim asserts, his voice edged with frustration.
"I married a man I've known for more than 15 years. Trust me, I married him fully aware of who he is, and he's not selfish. I married the man I love and who makes me happy, and that should make you happy too! And don't you dare respond to me right now. I said we're not having this conversation here," Donna repeats, fiercely holding back the embarrassment that threatens to turn into tears. The weight of the uncomfortable gazes from everyone feels too burdensome. Her father's refusal to accept her husband only adds to the distress.
"Jim, please," Harvey interjects, still composed, gesturing toward a more private location. "Can we have an adult conversation?"
"I'm talking to my daughter," Jim retorts.
"No, you're not talking to her. You're humiliating her in front of people we both care about. Please, come to my office," Harvey persists, maintaining his calm demeanor. Without waiting for a response, he begins walking, making sure Donna follows, and reluctantly, Jim trails behind.
In silence, the trio moves to Harvey's office, where he shuts the door. Donna instinctively positions herself beside her husband. She knows Harvey did everything necessary to smooth things over with Jim when she asked him, and she's well aware that her father instigated this situation. It's unfair to Harvey, and it's unfair to her.
"Listen to me, Jim," Harvey takes the lead, addressing his father-in-law. "I had to work today, that's true. My job has urgencies, urgencies that Donna perfectly understands. She was my secretary and my best friend for over a decade, she married me knowing that. Is today a day I should have been here? Yes. But it was also the day I had the chance to get a testimony that will prevent a man from unjustly serving time. And I know that both Donna and I stand on the side of justice. And I know she agrees with what I did."
"Are you in agreement, Donna?" Jim grumbles.
"Of course, I am, Dad. It's like you don't know me at all," she responds with disappointment in her voice.
"I don't know how you think our marriage works, but I do know that you know your daughter too well. You raised her, Jim. She's the extraordinary woman she is, largely because of the way you raised her. And believe me, if I'm with her now, it's because I waited the necessary time, which I know was a lot, to make sure I could be the man she deserves, someone who can make her happy."
Donna leans slightly against Harvey. "You can't doubt my judgment, Dad."
"It's not that. It's that I still see in him the selfish man I always saw."
Harvey takes a deep breath before asking, "Is the wedding the problem?"
"You think I liked finding out that you married my daughter like that?"
"What you wanted was for him to ask for my hand, isn't it? Those patriarchal customs that should have died centuries ago!" Donna erupts, no longer able to control her temper. She can't stand this childishness from her father at the Christmas dinner.
"Yes, that would've been fine," Jim replies, much more confidently than Donna expected.
"That's not how I want my life to work. No man decides for me. Harvey proposed to me, I accepted, we got married, and we are happy. End of the story," Donna says, raising her voice more and more, while Harvey tries to restrain her with his hands, but not very successfully. "And don't make me choose between you two, Dad, because I don't think you'll like my answer."
"No, Donna. Nobody will choose anyone here," Harvey interjects more vehemently than before, slightly turning his head to meet his wife's gaze, silently asking her to let them talk man-to-man. She responds, also with her eyes. It's a fleeting moment that Jim doesn't perceive. "Donna won't choose between us, because I'm clear that we're the two most important men in her life, and you and I both know she doesn't deserve to have to choose between you and me. I'm sorry if it bothered you that I didn't ask for your daughter's hand, I'm sorry if we married in haste. I really didn't do it with bad intentions, only with love. I lost my mother, and many years ago, my father too, both suddenly, and I had my grandmother's ring with me and didn't want to waste another second. Along with the proposal, there was a promise that we'll get married again, with all our families and a celebration fitting for us. And I promise you that will happen too. I also want to see Donna walking down the aisle with you by her side, Jim," Harvey says, taking a brief pause to catch his breath. "I'm sorry if I'm not the man you expected for your daughter, but I can assure you that I love her with all my heart, and she's my number one priority, always. But, it's true that I have a job with a lot of pressure, and sometimes, I can't yield to them, and Donna has always understood that, and for me, it's so important that she supports me in that."
"As he supports me in my work and personal life, too." Donna adds.
"I truly am sorry, Jim. I know I've made many mistakes with you, and with your daughter too. But I promise you, I'm a good man, and what I want most is to make Donna happy. And I know part of her happiness is us getting along. I'm willing to do that. For her. For my wife's family, which is now mine too," Harvey continues speaking, and although Donna wishes she could defend herself, she knows what her father needs right now is the certainty that Harvey is a man deserving of being by her side and can take care of her. Her heart warms as she hears her husband speak like this.
"I overreacted, I'm sorry. I trust your judgment, Donna. I know you wouldn't marry someone who doesn't deserve you." Jim's statement carries a tone of remorse and regret, an acknowledgment of his overreaction.
"Can you then stop constantly questioning my husband? Because it hurts me when you do."
"I promise you, Donna."
"I want you to be my father!" Donna exclaims, her tone carrying a hint of childishness mixed with heartfelt sincerity. "And support me in my decisions. It makes me uncomfortable knowing there's always so much tension between you two, just like it was when we had dinner after our move. And it's always been you stirring up trouble. I don't know what you want to accomplish, but if it's to separate me from my husband, you won't succeed."
"That's the last thing I want, Donna."
"Could you be nicer, then?"
"I will, Donna."
"Thank you, Dad," she murmurs calmly and moves closer to hug him.
"I'm sorry," Jim says, holding his daughter, guilt evident in his voice.
"Just..." Donna pulls away slightly to look at him. "Treat my husband well. He's not to blame for what went wrong tonight. If anything, the blame is shared."
"I'm sorry, Harvey." Jim says in a conciliatory tone, offering his hand.
"It's okay, Jim." Harvey responds, shaking hands.
Jim nods, repeatedly apologizing to the couple until he leaves Harvey's office. Harvey wants to follow him to see if there's anything salvageable from dessert, but Donna takes his hand, causing him to turn and end up colliding with her. Her lips meet his eagerly, pressing against his with a fervor that surprises him for a moment.
"And what's that for?" Harvey asks, breathless, his eyes fixed on his wife's swollen and moist lips, as he pulls her closer.
"It's the least you deserve for being the husband you are," she responds, kissing him again briefly. "And to see if you have the creativity to come up with a dessert right now."
Harvey chuckles foolishly. "There's enough whipped cream and strawberries in the fridge, do you think we can make something with that?"
"Maybe we can. What I'm not sure about is being able to keep composure in front of all of them while savoring whipped cream and strawberries with you so close."
"I guess we'll have to test your restraint, Paulsen," he grins, squeezing her waist and silencing her squeal with a kiss.
"And what if someone asks why we have so many strawberries and whipped cream in our fridge?"
"Mhm… I'm a lawyer. I can lie to all of them," Donna laughs, shaking her head, and just kisses him again.
Working together, they slice the strawberries and elegantly arrange them in dessert cups. With skills acquired from somewhere far away from the kitchen, they cover the strawberries with generous heaps of whipped cream, adding a light sprinkle of sugar on top to enhance the flavors, and some cookie pieces to add crunch.
"It seems that our sexual habits have saved dessert." Harvey jokes, pretty proud of himself.
"It seems it did," replies Donna with a dirty smile.
When the hosts return to the table after the previous episode, they are met with such warm smiles that they must thank everyone for their patience. The conversation flows in a relaxed and friendly manner, everyone enjoying the simple yet exquisite sweetness of dessert.
Harvey and Donna exchange knowing glances from the table, sharing a moment of complicity and tranquility after a series of challenges overcome.
The atmosphere fills with laughter, anecdotes, and warm conversations, thus sealing a night that began with turbulence but ended with strengthened bonds and shared memories.
Harvey closes the front door of their house for the last time tonight, and as he looks up, Donna is there, staring at him, her hands behind her, leaning against the hallway table, looking utterly exhausted.
"The house is a mess right now," Donna grumbles, thinking about how long it will take them to tidy everything up before going to bed.
Harvey walks towards her, gently cups her cheeks, and softly kisses her lips. "We'll just take everything to the kitchen, and tomorrow, we'll take care of the rest."
"But—"
"No, no buts. You've been dedicated to this all day; now, you need to rest. In fact, you can go to bed now; I'll take care of this."
"It's not necessary."
"I owe it to you for leaving you alone today."
"No, Harvey..." she murmurs with a somewhat sad smile, sliding her arms beneath his. "You don't owe me anything. We can do it together."
"No," he responds determinedly. "Go to sleep."
"As if I could fall asleep without you there," she retorts, pouting slightly.
"I'll join you as soon as I can." He reiterates and kisses her before heading inside the house, with her in his arms.
"Okay, I'm so tired that I don't even feel like arguing," she chuckles and kisses him one last time before leaving.
About half an hour later, Harvey enters the room and finds his wife sitting on the bed, with a book in her hands, which she probably hasn't read much of.
"I told you to come to sleep," he says with a chuckle.
"And I told you I can't fall asleep without you here, and you know that." She replies, setting the book aside.
"Five minutes in the bathroom, and I'll be here with you. Alright?"
Donna nods, and Harvey keeps his word. Five minutes later, he joins her, sitting at the end of the bed, on the side where she sleeps. Donna is sitting against the pillows, one leg stretched out on the bed, the other bent with her foot on the mattress.
"It wasn't the Christmas Eve you expect, was it?" he asks, resting his chin on Donna's knee and wrapping her leg.
Donna reaches out to tenderly tousle his hair. "It wasn't what I expected, but it could've been worse."
"Do you really think it could've been worse?" he asks, a little surprised.
"I mean... The food situation got resolved, and I would've collapsed if it weren't for your composure. And with my father..." She exhales deeply to find the right words. "I actually appreciate that this happened. Within his older mentality, he expects me to be with a man who jumps to defend me. And although I struggle when you jump in to defend me when I can do it myself, because you know, my pride." Both chuckle softly. "I think my father needed to see you defending me in that way."
"You never cease to amaze me with your insights into people," he says with a loving smile and smooches her knee.
"Do I still surprise you?" she asks, tilting her head to one side and narrowing her eyes.
"You really do," he replies, releasing her leg to let it fall onto the mattress, then lowering himself onto her, she coils all her limbs around his body.
"Are you okay?" She asks, studying him carefully after several seconds of silence, during which she just scratches behind his ear.
He chuckles softly without much enthusiasm. "I just wish my mother were here, even with everything that went wrong."
"I know, Harvey," she responds with understanding, nudging him affectionately until he rests his head on her chest, enveloping him in her arms.
Without exchanging more words, they stay there for a few minutes, embracing and allowing the silence of the now-empty house to envelop them, until Donna yawns deeply.
"Come here," he says, moving to join her in bed and guiding her until she becomes the little spoon.
"You really are effective at knowing what I need," she says, her eyes closed, relishing in how his body and warmth surround her.
"You promised me other things before sleep, but I understand you're tired."
She can't help but laugh. "Relax. I won't forget your Christmas gift."
He chuckles too and smooches her neck. "Will you be wrapped under the Christmas tree in the morning?"
"You're an idiot!" she says, laughing, prompting his arm to tighten around her a bit more.
"I can't deny that imagining you in red lingerie wrapped in a Christmas ribbon is—"
Donna interrupts him with a sharp elbow. "Shut up or I'll call my dad to come back and fight you!"
Harvey bursts out laughing. "That was a low blow."
"I know, but stop imagining nonsense."
"If thinking about you naked is nonsense, let me tell you I think nonsense all day," he says, still nestled in the curve of her neck with his lips.
"Yeah, that's what you think about. Always. Since you met me."
He lets out a chuckle that brushes against her skin. "Guilty as charged. Hippies say we should fill our minds with positive thoughts." He says. "But it's too bad we had to sacrifice our entire supply of strawberries and whipped cream."
Donna laughs again. "Just shut up already, I need to sleep."
"Okay, okay, grumpy." He teases her for a moment and leans in enough to kiss her cheek. "Have a good night, my favorite cook."
"Oh god, I'll kill you!" she squeals, kicking him with her heels, but he just pulls her closer, laughing. "Find that Christmas spirit for tomorrow!"
He laughs even louder and relaxes his hold on her a bit. "I'll wake you up with coffee and Santa Claus himself by my side."
"With coffee and with you, I'm good."
"Cool, otherwise I'd have had to call Santa, and tonight he's quite busy."
Donna can't help but laugh again. "Can you let me sleep now?" He sighs but agrees. "You know I love you, right?" she murmurs a few seconds later and feels him smile against her neck.
"I know, I love you too, Donna," he murmurs in response, giving her a tender and long kiss on the neck that works like a charm, relaxing her enough to fall asleep soon.