A/N: DISCLAIMER: Contains heavy themes. Please proceed with caution. I put these warnings at the beginning, for your safety. One more chapter before Christmas, and three months till Christmas 2023 in real life. You're welcome. Enjoy this chapter, and the rest of the story. Have a fantastic day. Thanks and enjoy this chapter. JusticeIsn'tEasy0083 D.


The Specter Family Chronicles

Holiday Special Year One

Chapter Fourteen: Do You Believe in Fate?

December 23rd, 2017

Specter Family House

Greystone, Massachusetts

So, per the doctors' orders, Mike couldn't start on the new medication until six pm tonight. Dr. Faulk had warned that with nothing in Mike's system, he might have sporadic seizures, that will need to be monitored and timed. If any of them last for more than five minutes, they will need to sedate him, with the kit Molly had been given. So today wasn't going to be the best for Mike. Harvey was hoping that he would just sleep through most of the day. Molly had informed the rest of the family what was happening, and they were all understandably worried about the young man. Marcus had even offered to take a watch duty so that Harvey could get out of the house or wrap gifts or something. Molly had informed everyone that Mike didn't want them sitting around worrying about him, that he wanted them to just go about their day, and that he's sorry. Lily had gone upstairs to tell Harvey that no one is mad at Mike, that they don't blame him for anything. Harvey promised to pass on the message, and then his mother hugged him, telling him that he is strong, and Mike is wonderful. She told him that fate brought them together. Harvey rolled his eyes, he doesn't believe in that stuff, but he nodded, because maybe it had in a way. Lily told them that they're going to the final day of the Markets, apparently there are going to be kind of circus ride things there for the kids. Molly and Harvey would remain here with Mike if he needed that. It's going to be a long day. Dr. Faulk had promised Harvey that he would have an appointment set up for Mike when he gets back to New York, so that he can find out how he's going back on Tangent. Harvey got up and jumped in the shower, keeping the door ajar so that he could see Mike. His boyfriend is still asleep, and he's hoping that he stays that way, at least for now. Molly was wrapping presents in hers and Damien's room, which was down the hall, and told him to call out if he needed her. Harvey had also sent a text to Donna, which probably wasn't a smart thing to do, because the red head said that she would get in the car and drive there, if he needed. Christmas Eve is tomorrow. Mike told Harvey that he's going to be fine for the holidays, and Harvey believes him because you must admit… together they can't lose. It was about ten thirty, when Mike woke up. Harvey was wrapping gifts, helping Molly to get some done for the different members of the family when he saw Mike open his eyes.

For the most part, Mike can sort of feel when a seizure is coming on. He gets the shakes, but he has mentioned that his head feels stuffy, and he gets a headache, and he just gets 'a feeling'. Harvey ran his fingers through Mike's hair, asking him if he was feeling a little hungry, to which the younger man shook his head, but did ask for some water. Molly said that she would go, taking the wrapped presents to put under the tree on her way back. Harvey had grabbed a bucket from the laundry in case Mike needed to be sick, that sometimes happens. The medication is the thing that controls the seizures. He isn't saying that they stop them completely, Mike can still have a seizure on the medication, but it wouldn't be as bad as if he wasn't on the medication. Molly returns with a glass of water and gives it to Harvey. Mike sits up a little in the bed, enough that he can drink it. There is no shake of the hand, which he takes as a good sign to start with. Mike asks them what they're doing, and Harvey mentions something about 'present hell', before Molly launches into a story about the ridiculous things her children asked for, for Christmas. Mike apologises to her for her being stuck here with him, but she throws a shoe at him and tells him if he apologises again, she'll throw scissors. Mike chuckles, and curls up to Harvey, who is wrapping a gift they brought for Caroline, that Marcus had said was on her list. Mike loves watching kids on Christmas morning. The innocence that they have, before they grow up and become cynical adults, it's so pure and just... freeing. Mike had that for a while, then he lost his parents… and his childhood innocence as well. Trevor told him about 'Santa'. He was devastated. Harvey, Molly and Mike keep a casual conversation, about the ridiculous gimmicks companies will use around Christmas time, to try and get you to spend money, and that she couldn't believe some of the 'stupid things' her husband had purchased in years past. Harvey mentioned that he and Mike are hosting Christmas in New York next year, and Molly squealed excitedly. She's never been to New York at Christmas time. Harvey had already enlisted his sister to make up their itineraries, and he's getting Donna to send her some ideas for things they can do. Mike was just excited to listen to them talking.

'Mike, what was your favourite Christmas?' Molly asked, but the young man didn't reply, Harvey held him whilst he began to seize, and Molly timed it

'Mike baby, it's okay I got you. I love you,' Harvey whispered as he held his boyfriend tightly

'Come on Mike. Shit, okay that was two minutes,' Molly said as Mike calmed down and came out of his seizure. Harvey didn't let him go, peppering kisses along his jaw and face

'It's okay baby. I love you. It's going to be okay,' Harvey whispered


Molly was sitting with Mike, whilst Harvey went downstairs to make some lunch for them. She had demanded that he leave the room, and Mike is sleeping again anyway. If anything happens, she will be there and she's a doctor. Since the first seizure at ten, Mike hasn't had another one, and it's almost midday. Harvey was making a fruit plate and some sandwiches and was about to take them upstairs when the rest of the family returned home from the Market. His mother caught him as he was going up the stairs, asking how Mike was, and if he needed any help with anything. Harvey just put the food down in his room, and hugged his mom, thanking her and asking her if they could maybe talk later. She nodded and said that of course he could talk to her about anything. Harvey thanked her and went back upstairs to his room. Molly was eating her sandwich. Harvey told her to go be with the others, he'll call her if he needs her to come upstairs again. She gave him that 'are you sure' look, and he nodded, taking a bite of his sandwich. Mike stirred beside Harvey, he was groggy, and looked like he hadn't slept, but he ran his hand up Harvey's torso, and pressed a kiss to his lips. Harvey asked him if he was hungry, and Mike nodded, feeling that something in his stomach might help that sick feeling he has. He was given a fork by Harvey and stabbed himself a piece of Apple off the plate his boyfriend had brought up. He was about to eat it when Harvey saw, and Mike felt his hand, shake. Harvey deposited the plates on the bedside table, and grabbed onto Mike, pressing a kiss to his head as another seizure took over his body. Harvey timed the seizure and noted that it was two minutes thirty seconds. He wrote that down on the piece of paper Molly had left, and then let Mike come out of it. He was running his hand through Mike's hair in a comforting way. It was about five minutes later, Mike opened his eyes again, asking if it had 'happened again' and Harvey nodded. Mike apologised but was cut off by lips on his. He asked how long it was until he could take his meds, and Harvey lamented that it was 'five hours'. Mike groaned, but grabbed the fork again, and decided to try and eat something. Molly popped back in about an hour after Mike's second seizure. The two men were just lying on the bed, talking. She checked the paper, and then asked them if they needed anything. Mike just smiled at her, thanking her for helping him out, and Harvey just held Mike close, burying his face in Mike's neck.

At four pm, Mike had another seizure. Harvey was dozing beside his boyfriend when he felt him start to convulse. He grabbed Mike's shoulders and held him, taking note of the time as well. Mike was in the centre of the bed, he felt as though that was good enough for him to try and move, but when he looked at the timer, he saw that it was almost four minutes thirty. Harvey ran to the top of the stairs shouting for Molly. She came running, and he said that Mike had been convulsing for five minutes. The doctor grabbed the sedation kit that Dr. Faulk had left, whilst Harvey just held onto Mike, kissing his temple, rocking back and forth. Molly sedated Mike, and he stopped, falling back on to the bed, still but (still breathing obviously). Harvey sat back against the headboard, just running his hand through Mike's hair. Molly explained that the sedation should keep Mike in a 'coma like state' for at least three hours. When he wakes up next, he can take his medication, then he'll probably sleep for the rest of the night. Harvey nodded, trying to hide the tears, but Molly saw them and hugged him. She didn't say anything when Harvey started crying. She didn't say anything when he pulled away. She just said that if he needs her again, she'll be downstairs. Harvey asked if she could send Lily up and she nodded. When Lily arrived and knocked on the door, Harvey called for her to come in. She entered the room, and shut the door, barely turning back to face the bed, when Harvey pulled her into a hug, crying into her shoulder. Lily held her son, rubbing his back, telling him that it's okay. Mike is okay. Harvey just mumbled nonsense whilst he's trying to stop crying, but his mother seems to be able to understand it. They sit down together, side by side on the bed. Harvey leans his head on her shoulder, apologises for crying, and earns a whack to the head from his mother who tells him that having feelings and showing them, doesn't make him weak. He smiles and tells her that that is something Mike tells him all the time, and she says that 'he should listen to Mike more often'. Harvey chuckles, thanks his mother for just being her, and says that he's okay. It's just been an emotional day, and he can't bear to see the man he loves in pain like that. Lily nods and pats his head, then tells him to sit up and look at her.

'Harvey, I would be more worried if you weren't emotional about all of this. Honey, what you and Mike have been through, it would make anyone a little crazy. But you remained together, and that's the important thing. Honey, I can see how much Mike loves you, and I can see how much you love him. Don't be afraid of that,' Lily said, patting her sons' hand

'I don't believe in fate mom, you know that. But I must believe that it was fate that I met Mike when I did. All the shit…sorry, crap… that we've been through has only made us stronger, you're right, and I was afraid. But… I'm not anymore. Mom, I am going to ask Mike to marry me next year. I just needed you to know that I had to tell someone,' Harvey said, wiping a stray tear from his cheek, smiling

'Mike is already a part of this family Harvey. But I'm so excited. I can't wait for the wedding. Oh dear, it's going to be beautiful. You'll look so handsome…' Lily said

'Mom calm down. I need to propose first. But I promise, when it happens, you will be the first to know,' Harvey said, hugging her again, whispering 'thank you' in her ear, as she hugged him tighter.


Mike woke at six, and Harvey told him that he could take his new medication. The man practically jumped off the bed and sprinted into the bathroom. He hugged Harvey, thanking him for everything, and apologising for ruining the day. Harvey said that 'he didn't', smiling and kissing him. Mike just rolled his eyes and told Harvey that he's still a bit groggy, so he's going to go back to sleep, let the medication do its job. Harvey kissed him again, telling him that tomorrow night, he's going to finally 'fuck his boyfriend in his childhood bed on Christmas Eve', and that it's 'one of his wishes'. Mike snorted, and pushed away from Harvey, winking, and saying that he's 'sure he can oblige'. After Mike had fallen asleep, Harvey went downstairs, and was immediately brought into a debate about whether it was appropriate to invite an ex to any big formal event. Harvey immediately sided with Helena and said 'no', but Peter seemed to think that it was okay, so long as you don't have feelings for said ex, and there is 'nothing going on'. Helena told her husband that if he invites any of his exes to their Christmas Eve party, she will 'castrate him with a boning knife' and left the room. Harvey just crossed his arms, raising his patented Specter brow at his brother-in-law who just awkwardly headed back into the kitchen with a plate of food. Marcus was zooming around the house with Caroline on his back, making plane noises, until his mother told him to 'quiet down'. Harvey took a seat on the couch, in between his sister-in-law, and his brother, and listened to stories that he hasn't heard, laughing when appropriate, and remembering the time's that his parents weren't the best role models. The photo albums came out then, and Harvey refused to look at any pictures of him from Halloween when he was eleven, knowing that was his 'terrible' phase of costumes. Lily told all her grandchildren that their parents used to be exactly like them, to which Braiden then said that his parents 'aren't cool'. Peter pretended to be 'hurt' by the statement, asking his son if he still loves him, and then telling him that if he's not 'cool' he can't get any Christmas presents. Braiden hugged his dad with a 'just kidding dad' look on his face. Molly asked how Mike was, and Harvey told her that he's taken the medication, now he's sleeping. There was a moment, where she thought that Harvey wouldn't say anything else, then he thanked her and hugged her.

All the shit that happened today aside, Harvey watches as his family move around him, the madness following him wherever he goes, and he remembers the times when they were kids, running through the house, getting in trouble when their parents yelled at them, dancing around the kitchen with his mother whilst she was cooking, singing in the car, he was a kid. His life was uncomplicated. He played sports and built treehouses and rolled around in the mud. As he got older, and became more mature, that side of him slowly faded away, until all the childhood innocence that they used to have inside them, was replaced with the cynicism that some from being an adult. You don't have the choice to be innocent anymore. You know what really goes on. Being back with his family, Harvey didn't think that he'd have the choice to relive his childhood innocence, to just lose himself in something silly like a snowball fight, or 'the floor is lava', but he has, and he has Mike. Something else he never thought he would have. Someone who looks as him the way that Mike does. Someone who says his name the way Mike does when they're having sex, or when he can sense that he's in a bad mood and uses that voice to try and calm him down, and it works. Helena appears at that moment, shouting something to her kids about respecting Grandma and Grandpas house, and Harvey kind of looks at her, and she frowns at him in confusion. She doesn't know what is going on, until Harvey is gesturing for her to go outside. They have temporarily suspended dare week, after finding out what was going on with Mike, so the dare that Harvey had for Helena wasn't ever going to happen, but he followed her outside, picked up a pile of snow, and threw it at her. He grinned that shit eating grin that he always uses when he does something he thinks is 'amazing' and waits. Helena just does a slow turn to look at him, squinting her eyes as if to say, 'did you really just do that?' Harvey shrugs nonchalantly and waits. He sees his sister bend down to pick up some snow, and nods. She throws it at him, and he laughs. When Damien steps out into the yard to ask Harvey if he's 'lost his mind', the lawyer just hurls a snowball at his brother, and then another one at Marcus, and soon they're all rolling around in the snow like children. The rest of the family join in, like a family wide snowball fight, and when Molly sees Mike, wrapped up in a warm jacket, taking a picture from the balcony, she kicks Harvey. He looks up, and runs over to his boyfriend, picking him up and spinning him around.

'Merry Christmas Mike,' someone shouts, and Harvey chuckles, pressing kisses to his jawline

'How are you feeling babe?' Harvey asks, setting Mike up in a seat on the deck, wrapping a blanket around him

'Lightheaded, but better. What are you all doing?' Mike asked, referring to the grown adults rolling around in the snow

'Taking back our childhoods, just for one night,' Harvey replied with a whisper, smiling and kissing Mike, before he told him to go back and join in, Mike took a lot of pictures that night.


December 24th, 2017

Specter Family House

Christmas Eve Morning

Greystone, Massachusetts

The sun was filtering through the gap in the curtains, illuminating the man lying next to him. Harvey had woken first, at about five thirty, just before his alarm. Mike is still asleep beside him, but he had to take the opportunity to just stare at Mike, like his boyfriend has done so many times to him since they got together. Now he sees what Mike sees, and Harvey snaps a picture. When Mike wakes, they're lying, just facing each other, sharing kisses. Soon enough, Harvey wraps an arm around Mike, pulling him closer, pressing their hips together, their kisses becoming more heated. Harvey moves to straddle Mike's waist, about to deepen the kiss even more, when of course, his brother bursts into the room, shouting that it's 'Christmas Eve Morning', then runs out of the room again. Harvey falls back onto his back, on his side of the bed, and groans at the loss of warmth from Mike when he gets up to use the bathroom. He watches Mike take his medication, the new medication, and then gets up to get more of his boyfriend. He wraps his arms around Mike, his front to Mike's sexy back, and begins just teasing his boyfriend. Mike, much to his credit, it able to almost resist, until Harvey's hand goes lower, breeches the waistband of his sleep pants, and gets a grasp of his dick. He throws his head back on Harvey's shoulder, a moan escaping from his lips, before they're caught with Harvey's own. Soon, Mike is trapped between the bathroom vanity, and Harvey, who is now blowing him into another world. Mike fists his hands in Harvey's hair, urging his boyfriend forwards. There is a pop, and then Harvey is moving them back over to the bed, closing the door, (and locking it), before he fully undresses himself and Mike, and preps his boyfriend. Mike grips tightly to Harvey's arms, not wanting to be too loud, but also needing to scream, because (and he will never admit this aloud) but Harvey is the best he's ever had. Let's be real. Once Mike is prepped, Harvey wastes no time getting inside of him. He completely seats himself inside of Mike, kissing him, licking at the rosy nipples, teasing Mike, whilst the younger man is just trying to get his boyfriend to move. Harvey finally does, albeit slowly. Drawing it out so that Mike is right on the edge when he finally gives in. If Harvey has one thing in his life that is always good, it's going to be Mike. Sure, they fight, but what couple doesn't. Their make-up sex is better. Harvey leans down to kiss his boyfriend, and Mike grabs his face, looking up at him, the pleasure showing on his face.

They come together, then collapse together, and after cleaning themselves up, curl up together, back where they began before the alarm interrupted their morning. Mike feels the tingles in his belly, as the excitement of Christmas Eve begins to overtake. Harvey is holding his hand as they join the rest of the family, each of them moving to hug Mike, until eventually everyone is just joined in one big family hug. Mike chuckles, and thanks them all for just being them. Before he can even get the words 'I'm sorry' out, Peter is telling him that if he apologises, he'll throw him out in the snow… naked. He says it with a smile though, so Mike just nods, and goes to help Lily in the kitchen. He's wearing an apron, and helping to make some of the deserts for their party tonight, and when Harvey sees his boyfriend in that apron, he makes a mental note to buy one for Mike to wear around the condo… with nothing on underneath it. Removing that image from his head, he goes back to trying to focus on helping to decorate. Helena has never seen her brother be more… gay… than he is in this moment (you know apart from the whole 'sex' thing). Harvey has his hip jutted out to one side, and he's surveying the room as if it's a photo shoot for the queen. Helena smiles at the image, because she loves her brother, and she will always support him, but if this is a new side to him, then she wants to make sure she gets to see it all. She subtly snaps a picture, then goes to stand beside Harvey. If he were wearing like a pink shirt and lighter jeans, he'd basically be that guy in those reality design shows, who goes around telling people what's wrong with their houses. Helena chuckles, making Harvey looked over at her, confused. She just nods towards Damien, trying to lift something, and Harvey rolls his eyes, going over to help his brother before he 'breaks something', and he doesn't mean a bone on his body. Christmas Eve is chill in the Specter House this year. Most of the things they would normally do on this day have already been done. Last minute things include rushing to the store to buy mountains of batteries that they know the kids will need for their ridiculous gifts, last minute little gifts for fillers, wrapping things that need to go under the tree, and putting up the last few lights. There is also a light parade tonight, where you walk around town and look all the houses decorated for Christmas. Mike had mentioned wanting to do that, so that might be on the list as well.

'Okay, so we need to go to Target for some last-minute things. I don't want to bring the kids because… enough said. Who wants to come along?' Molly called from the foyer as she pulled on her shoes and jacket.

'Well, we can leave the boys here with the kids and have a girl's day. Come on Harvey, Mike…' Helena said, throwing their jackets to them

'We're both boys… you realise this right?' Harvey asked his sister, as he pulled his jacket on

'Yes, but we could use your… designer eye Harvey,' Helena said, and he nodded, Mike just rolled his eyes but followed them out to Molly's car.


When they got to the mall it was jam packed. By that, Mike means they had to literally line up outside and wait to get into the building. Once they were inside, it was complete and utter chaos. Harvey grabbed Mike's hand, not wanting to lose him in the crowd. Helena told them to meet her at Target, and she went off through the crowds. Molly, Harvey and Mike eventually met Helena just inside Target where, surprisingly, it wasn't as busy as it was outside in the mall. Helena already had a cart, and Molly grabbed a basket as she walked in the door. Harvey and Mike just kept holding hands as they walked through Target. Helena and Molly grabbed a few more battery packs, some wrapping papers, tinsel, gift tags, ribbons all the extra things they needed for final Christmas preparations. Harvey and Mike found themselves wandering, and they ended up in the kid's isle, whilst Helena and Molly were discussing what they should get for Caroline. Harvey was… browsing… although if anyone said anything to him later, he would deny it. He and Mike had already brought a gift for most of the kids. They soon found themselves wondering. Harvey had gone off to the homewares section, telling Mike that he needs to find something for his sister, and Mike had just been wandering around the store. He eventually found himself in the baby section. He wasn't really looking, but every now and then he would spot something cute and pick it up to look at it closer. He wasn't sure where Molly and Helena were, nor where Harvey had gotten to. When he reached the baby clothes section, he couldn't help but lament to himself at how cute the clothes were, and of course, he began thinking about whether he could see himself and Harvey with a kid. Donna had already offered to be their surrogate, hell she had offered that before they had even started dating, but they've only been together for nine months. Is it too early to be thinking about these things? He had basically told Helena that he's already going to marry her brother, and unbeknownst to Mike, Harvey had told his mother his plans to propose, so it's not like they haven't been thinking about their future together. But is thinking about kids a step too far? Mike doesn't even know if Harvey likes kids. Oh sure, he likes his nieces and nephews, but he doesn't have to raise them. What would they do if they had to take care of a baby? Mike is still browsing through the baby clothes when Harvey finds him. He stops for a minute, watching as Mike picks up a small baby outfit, smiles and then puts it back down again, moving through the aisle.

Harvey had never thought about having children… until he met Mike. In fact, he had never thought he could ever do a relationship or get married… he didn't think about any of those things, until he met Mike. Now, sometimes his head is filled with all these things. Things he would like to happen in the future. He's planning a life with Mike in it, and he never thought he would ever do that. Molly and Helena were still grabbing things for the kids, he had text his sister, asking her where they were, and they had replied with 'still in the toy section' and the crying face emoji. So, he had met up with them, put the things he was getting in the cart, and gone to find Mike. Is it weird to 'spy' on your significant other? Donna had text him earlier telling him she would like 'something from Louis Vuitton' for Christmas, and Harvey had text back asking her what. Donna works hard for him, she deserves it, but it's going to be madness, and his sister and Molly would probably explode when they find out that he needs to go there. Mike doesn't really like the designer brands, in fact he's pretty sure Mike doesn't even know any designer brands, which is fine, because then Harvey can surprise him, and he pretends to be outraged when Mike doesn't know who a popular designer is, and it's like their thing. Donna had even commented asking Mike if he was 'really gay', because he didn't know those things. The younger lawyer had just shrugged and said that he'd never have the money for it, so why bother? That's where Harvey comes in. He knows that his boyfriend secretly likes those things, because every now and then, he'll wear the tie, or the watch, and it will make Harvey smile. Mike hadn't spotted him yet. He picked up an overall set, and Harvey could feel himself cringe. We are absolutely not dressing out child in that… he thought to himself, deciding to go and knock some fashion sense into Mike. When he appeared beside his boyfriend, he felt a little guilty that Mike felt like he had to lie and pretend that he wasn't looking at baby clothes, that he had just stumbled into the area. Harvey shut him up by kissing him. If his sister of Molly saw them in this section, it would be around the family within seconds. Mike began to leave the aisle, but Harvey grabbed his hand to stop him.

'Mike, in the future, when we have kids, you are not going to be in charge of dressing them' Harvey said, wrapping his arms around Mike's waist

'What? What is wrong with this little outfit?' Mike asked, picking up the overalls set, smiling

'It's overalls Michael… maybe in a few years' time, when I have taught you better fashion practices, I might consider letting you pick outfits for our child. But for now, you are banned from baby's fashion choices,' Harvey said, taking the outfit and putting back on the rack, as if it had offended him

'You're going to dress our future children in baby Tom Ford, or Gucci or something aren't you?' Mike asked, raising an eyebrow

'Of course. They're my children, they have to be a reflection of me,' Harvey said, and Mike just rolled his eyes, kissed his boyfriend and walked away


So, once they had all finally finished in Target, and had paid for their items, Harvey mentioned that he had to get something for Donna and headed in the direction of the higher end shops. Helena was asking where they were going, and when they got closer to the Louis Vuitton store, she and Molly grabbed each other's hands, and then asked Harvey what he was doing. Mike just watched with pure amazement as the two women entered the shop, as though they were in another dimension. Harvey knew exactly what he was getting for Donna, so he went straight to the counter to get the girl to help him, whilst Mike just made sure that Helena and Molly were still breathing. He asked them if they were alright, and they nodded, looking around as though they were high on something, and out of it. Mike chuckled, then noticed them looking at some purses. Each of them picked up a different one, looked at the price, and quickly put them back down. Once Harvey had re-joined them, he noticed his sister acting weird, Molly right beside her, and Mike mentioned that they should get them something, nodding to the purses. Harvey smirked, figuring that this could be an opportunity to just completely make his sister lose her mind. He nodded to Mike, and went back to the salesgirl, who helped him with a few things, he got something for his mother as well, he'd already gotten something for his brothers and father, wrapped everything up, and then they left. The minute they were back in the mall, Helena and Molly were back to their regular selves, suggesting the food court for lunch. Mike and Harvey joined hands and followed the women through the mall. For the most part, Harvey had been brought here to help Helena and Molly design their 'Christmas Day Party' outfits. Mike just sat back on one of the ottomans in the dressing room, whilst Harvey gave his sister and sister-in-law, fashion advice. Mike took a picture of his boyfriend, then sent a text to Rachel, asking what was going on because he's confused. He got back a bunch of emojis. Unhelpful and mean… Mike thought, sending her back a sad face emoji. Donna had text Mike, asking what Harvey had brought her for Christmas. He sent her back a picture of the front of the 'Dollar Store', and then said it was 'something from inside here'. He got a phone call with an incredibly angry Donna yelling at him through the phone, threatening to cut off his 'anatomy' if he didn't say he was joking. Harvey was listening when Mike put it on speaker phone, and told her that he got her text, but thought it said, 'Dollar Store'. She hung up, and Mike chuckled.

Once the girls had picked their outfits, (with Harvey's apparent "expertise"), they headed back to the food court and decided to get something to eat. Mike oversaw looking after all their bags, whilst the other three got the food. He was just sitting, minding his own business, looking at his phone, when some random just came up to him and started talking to him. He tried to feign interest, but it was hard. Harvey, coming back with a tray of food, could see that Mike was bored with whatever the guy was talking to him about. He got back to the table, and deposited the food, sitting down beside Mike, who was (because he's so polite and nice) still listening to this guy who was trying to get people to sign up for dog rescues. Mike asked if he could stop by on his way back that way, and that seemed to appease the man, who handed him a flyer, then walked off. Mike looked over at Harvey, who chuckled at the look on Mike's face. They were just beginning to eat when Helena and Molly returned with their trays from McDonalds. Harvey looked at them, Helena shot her brother the bird and grabbed the burger, taking a big bite of it. He rolled his eyes. Harvey isn't going to deny that he doesn't like a takeout every now and then. It's just that he and Mike usually get Chinese, or recently they've been going to a Korean place that just opened near the office. The last time Harvey had McDonalds, had been once when Mike had brought it, and he had shown up at the apartment, to surprise Mike, and his boyfriend had offered him some. He couldn't say that he was the biggest fan, but there are some things from there he would eat. Molly was also having McDonalds, and when Harvey looked at her, she raised her finger and said that she 'doesn't want to hear it. She doesn't have the kids with her, she's pigging out'. Mike chuckled, taking a bite of the wrap that he had gotten. They ate and watched the chaos unfold around them. There were people shouting, kids screaming, husbands sitting alone with bags whilst their partners shopped. It's Christmas Eve madness. Mike had remembered one time, he had gone shopping with Grammy on Christmas Eve, they almost couldn't move within the mall itself. People just seem to leave everything to the last minute. Once they had finished eating and had cleared their table and grabbed the bags, they began to head towards the exit. Mike had found a couple of new books in Target that he was excited to read, as well as a couple of cute things for Rachel and Donna. It took them almost twenty minutes to get back to the car park.

'I am never going shopping on Christmas Eve EVER AGAIN!' Helena said, as she settled herself in the driver's seat

'You say that every year Lena. So, do I,' Molly replied, whilst the boys in the back chuckled

'Yeah well, I might actually mean it this year,' the eldest sibling replied, as she pulled out of her carpark… and another car almost smashed into her, causing her to break quickly

'HEY, YOU STUPID FUCKING IDIOT…' Molly was shouting out the window, Mike had just grabbed Harvey's hand, eyes wide he blocked out everything else that Molly shouted, looking around at the scene unfolding, and then the car was moving again.


A/N: Next chapter, it's finally Christmas Day in the story, and there will be some fun family shenanigans to come from the Specter Family, and Harvey and Mike's first Christmas together. D.