Prompt #14 by ruinstolove: "Inspired by the film "Marriage Story," Canon Darvey's relationship hits a rough patch. Harvey's therapist suggests making a list of what he loves about Donna. Donna accidentally finds it while tidying up. They talk it out, and things get spicy."
20/12/2021
"There's nothing to talk about. She left me just like everyone else" Harvey replied to his therapist a 60 year old Mrs Smith. It had been one full week since Donna had told Harvey she seemingly needed a break. It was not a sudden decision, they had been bickering for months and slowly the the bickering subsided but was met with complete silence from both ends.
It all started one year post their move to Seattle. When their honeymoon period had subsided. Although Donna had followed him to Seattle, she had hoped she could perhaps start something of her own.
Consequently she decided to try her hands at event planning given her talent and it was a great success from the get go. However, after a year since the commencement of her business she realised that she was limiting her potential by staying in Seattle.
Her praises had reached everywhere in America, which consequently resulted in her travelling quite often. Harvey had been supportive initially but work got to him too. In the whole of 2021 they barely saw each other with Donna travelling too often and Harvey burying himself in cases.
.
Flashbacks throughout the year
"Do you have to leave again Donna?" Harvey asked her for the umpteenth time when she was dragging her suitcase across the hall. Donna was irritated at this point. She had always supported his career every step of the way. Why couldn't he do the same for her? "You know I do Harvey, perhaps you could come with me."
"You know I cannot, I have work. My clients are relying on me"
"What about my clients then?" An exasperated Donna replied.
"It's not the same-"
"What did you just say to me? I spent years putting your career first only to hear that your job is more important than mine!" She had never been this infuriated with Harvey.
"Well I'm sorry but ensuring that a shopping complex is not built over an old age centre is a tad more important than party planning" Harvey knew he had messed up when he said this. He was proud of her. He loved that she was happy, he just missed her.
"You know what Harvey, the event I'm organising is to honour the career of Mr Rodrigus who has provided free medical services to underprivileged kids for the past 45 years. The events I organise, bring joy to people's lives. I may not be a lawyer, but you literally just became a pro bono lawyer. So don't give me that crap." With that she slammed the door and left.
Although they sorted this fight out a few weeks later, Donna's wounds were not healed. It stuck with her that Harvey thought her job was less important than his. Harvey on the other hand though ridden with guilt couldn't fathom why she had to leave so often if she loved him.
.
11/12/2021
Donna had just returned from her fifteen days' work trip.
They had spent thanksgiving at Seattle with Mike and Rachel. Even thanksgiving dinner had turned into a bickering match about Donna leaving the next day for work. Mike and Rachel ended up leaving early in order to give the couple some space to sort their mess out. They ended up sleeping in different bedrooms that night.
It was late, around midnight when Donna had returned back from her trip. She was happy yet so sad. Her job fulfilled her but fighting with Harvey destroyed her.
Her partners, Stacy and Steve the couple with whom she had started her company, had suggested they move to New York as the expansion required moving to the Big Apple. Her initial reaction was to decline as she couldn't do that to Harvey, but was there even a marriage to salvage?
She sat next to a sleeping Harvey and gently stroked her fingers through his hair. Her eyes were filling up. If only he respected her job she thought to herself. Harvey woke up and brought her hand through his mouth and gently kissed it. Things got heated soon and after eternity it felt like they made love.
Once they were finished Donna was lying under his arms. She was feeling hopeful. Perhaps they would be able to resolve their matter. However, all her hopes were shattered when Harvey whispered, "God I've missed you. I am still hoping you never have to leave again."
Tears streamed down her cheeks. He would never understand her. Perhaps his marriage was a mistake and her father had been right all along. He was selfish; he could never put her first, not when it was not the case of life and death.
Harvey slept like a baby that night while Donna spent the whole night awake in his arms silently crying to herself at the loss of her marriage.
.
Present Time- 20/12/2021
After having his fifth panic attack which was also witnessed by Mike, Harvey was forced into therapy by his best friend. After the Paula fiasco Mike made sure his therapist was married and much older than Harvey.
"Where were you lost Harvey?" Mrs Smith enquired.
"I just…um, well like I said everyone leaves."
"From what I gather you didn't give her a reason to stay"
"How dare you say that to me?"
"I just have one question. She followed you to Seattle without batting an eye. From what you have told me in your words, she has put you first for years."
"I know, and I was proud of her success. I just don't get why she had to be away from me for half a month if she loved me."
"Do you still love her Harvey?"
"Of course, I do. It's just-"
"It's just what Harvey?"
"I don't know what to do to bring her back. I miss her every second. I know I hurt her but she left me! She did, not me! Again that too."
"How about we do one thing, you write on a piece of paper ten things that you love about her and see if you have the strength to fight for her."
At first Harvey thought it was a stupid idea, but he still obliged .
.
23/12/2021
"Hey, Mrs Paulsen, is Donna here?"
Harvey enquired the older looking frail woman who happened to be Donna's mother. Hardly when the older woman was about to speak when another angry voice came about,
"You son of a bitch! I had always told Donna you could be incredibly selfish. You have some nerve showing up here" Donna's dad barked.
Harvey was a tad bit irritated at this point. He appreciated James Paulsen for how he was a family man however; it was rich coming from him since he had betrayed his family on more than one occasion.
"Look Mr Paulsen, with all due respect, I love Donna, I just want to see her please."
"No you don't—"
"Harvey, honey, she left for New York this morning as she is organising a Christmas charity gala." Mrs Paulsen interrupted while simultaneously calming her husband down.
Always the voice of reason Harvey thought to himself.
"Thank you Mrs Paulsen, I will leave right away to get her back."
"I know how much you love each other Harvey, but you have to understand her side of the story. If you're not willing to support her aspirations then it's better you not go. I like you Harvey, you're a good man. But I cannot see my daughter suffer."
"Trust me, Clara and James that was never my intention. I'm sorry to you two as well, for giving you that impression"
With that Harvey left for New York.
He entered the crowded banquet hall which was elegantly decorated. It reeked of Donna. He had managed to change into a tux courtesy his old connections from being a corporate lawyer. He was strangely nervous yet excited to see her.
It was then that he spotted red. She was clad in a beautiful emerald green off shoulder gown with a slit. The gown accentuated her figure. She looked absolutely regal with her red curls.
He started purposely walking towards her when he noticed she was chatting with another man. He was tall, well dressed and looked like he came from money.
Harvey was filled with jealousy. He walked towards the pair deep in conversation. "Hi babe" Harvey cringed inside. Not once even after they were married did he ever refer to Donna as 'babe'.
They always called each other my their names but it was the way they called each other that was endearing and could make any passer-by's heart melt.
Flabbergasted, Donna turned towards the voice that had referred to her as a term of endearment. "H-Har—Harvey, what are you doing here." She questioned in a fumbling voice.
"Wow, it's the third time I've ever seen you stumble Donna." The guy beside them cleared his throat in order to make his presence known to the couple. "Excuse me, mister could you give Donna and I some time alone. She's in good hands." Harvey said in a tone that marked his territory.
Donna was getting irritated at this point. "Sorry Arthur, would you please give us a moment." Arthur raised one of his eyebrows questioningly but nevertheless left.
"So, who's Arthur?"
"What the hell are you doing here Harvey? We are over. Just go back to Seattle"
"Like hell we are" Harvey had raised his voice an octave which consequently turned some heads.
"Not here"
Donna started walking towards the exit door and Harvey followed her.
They reached an empty lobby. "Look Donna, I'm sorry! I'm so very sorry! I miss you every single minute of the day."
Harvey started speaking but Donna cut him off. "Harvey for the past one year we've been at each other's throats. I explained my side to you in that letter. There is nothing left between us."
"I couldn't finish the damn letter-"
"Typical, cannot even care enough for me to read my letter."
"You don't think I care about you? I love you more than anything in the world."
"I know that you love me Harvey, but clearly not enough to put my wishes first. We've had this argument for the millionth time. So please, I'm begging you. Let me move on!"
With that Donna turned to leave but Harvey grabbed her arm.
"Please just give me 5 minutes. I will always respect your wishes but please."
"No Harvey, please, you leaving is respecting my wishes. I'm begging you to please leave. Please Harvey just leave."
Dejected Harvey headed for the door. He thought perhaps he would give her some space.
"Hey you're Donna right?" A young woman asks Donna. It has been an hour since Harvey left. Donna had tried her level best to stay level headed since then.
"Yes, why?"
"I think this belongs to you. I found this fallen in the lobby"
It was a sealed envelope which had 'Donna' written on it in Harvey's handwriting.
Donna was seated in the car, going back home. When she opened the envelope, it read
Things I love about Donna-
1. I love how she has the best heart in the world. She is the most giving person I know.
2. I love her smile. For over a decade no matter how my day would be going that smile would light up my world.
3. I love her sense humour. She is the funniest person I know.
4. I love how absolutely stunning she is. I should say that to her more often.
5. I love her sense of loyalty.
6. I love how she just gets me. We can just communicate with our eyes.
7. She is the only person I have never lied to.
8. I love how in the morning she wears my shirt and only I'm the one who gets to see her in this domestic bliss.
9. I love our repartees.
10. There's not a soul in the world who has anything bad to say about Donna. She is the life of every party.
Later that night, Harvey was sitting in his apartment couch with a whiskey in his hand. They had decided to sell their apartments. Though Donna had rented hers out Harvey was too sentimental to rent his.
He was lost in his thoughts when he heard a knock. I couldn't be her, she had quite literally begged him to leave.
He opened the door and it was her. "Donna, hi" he whispered.
It was then he noticed she was holding the envelope he had addressed to her in therapy.
It was after writing the said letter had he realised how much he wanted Donna in his life.
The letter might have fallen down somewhere.
"You write all these things about me, yet you were so horrible to me Harv" Donna continued while walking inside the apartment.
"Donna I'm so damn sorry. I was a prick, all I thought was why would you leave me half a year. It didn't dawn on me that you were pursuing something you love as well. I cannot live without you, it's physically impossible. We can move wherever you wish. I just want you to know I am so proud of you. I never meant to hurt you. I miss you every day."
This was probably the most communication they had had in over a year.
Donna moved closer to him, and held both his hands. She couldn't resist and ended up embracing him. "You hurt me Harvey, so much, but I have missed you every day." She said that while hugging him tighter.
"I'm so so sorry. I will apologise for the rest of my life. Just come back to me. We'll make it work no matter what. You are my everything."
Harvey held her closer. Soon things got heated and he started kissing her everywhere. They were both so turned on that they couldn't even wait till going to the bedroom. Harvey ended up ravishing her in her living room that night.
It was at the break of dawn that Harvey told her he wanted them to move to New York since her work required that of her and they had decided to open another legal clinic in New York City. It was their home after all.
At first moving back to NYC was a bit challenging but they made it work nevertheless. Harvey even ended up accompanying Donna to her various events. He ended up enjoying that. All was well with Harvey and Donna.