Prompt #23 by darvcys: "excited for her new relationship and trying once again to rip harvey out of her chest, she and her boyfriend thomas decide to spend christmas together on a small town that promises the best christmas couple experience, what she didn't expect was to find the one man she's been trying so hard to forget side by side with an old flame. Happy ending please."
There are many things that Donna holds sacred. Shakespeare. Her first triple shot of the day. Saturday morning yoga. Hermes handbags. Sunday night calls with Rachel. Pre-trial rituals.
She likes to think she's above sentimentality, but traditions matter to her. They might have warped and changed over the years as people left her life and others grew closer, but there are a few that remain steadfast.
Drinks with Harvey on the last business day of the year is one of them. It hasn't always been lavish, in fact, there were plenty shared in whichever cubicle or window-less office he'd been occupying at the time. A cheap bottle of scotch between them, some festive-themed dessert she'd force him to share. These nights are never really planned or acknowledged, just one of the many assumptions on which they've built their infallible partnership.
Donna is one of the last to linger on the fiftieth floor on December 21st. She knows Louis is loitering around, tying up loose ends, reluctant to leave the firm he's so recently claimed as his own. There are a few associates in the bullpen hoping to finish the year in the good graces of their superiors. Next door, Harvey's office still casts a low light visible from the hallway.
She shuts off her laptop and gathers her coat and handbag. When she reaches for the phone on her desk, it starts buzzing with a call from Thomas.
"I didn't expect to hear from you tonight. Miss me already?"
His throaty laugh echoes through the phone.
"Well, twelve hours felt like an eternity."
A smile breaks out across her face. Despite the teasing lilt in his voice, Donna knows he's being genuine.
"Will I see you this weekend before Christmas?"
There's a pause. "That depends."
"On?"
"My family is pretty scattered this Christmas. I was planning on spending the holiday with a few friends, but I was wondering if maybe you wanted to spend it together instead."
"Oh." The question catches her off-guard. "You want to spend Christmas together?"
"I know we haven't been together that long, but I also think that shouldn't matter if things are going as well as they have been."
There's a few seconds of silence where Donna marvels at how direct this man is, how refreshing it is to hear someone make their intentions clear. But still, it's so new. She's trying not to get swept up in it – it's happened before.
"Can I think about it? I should check in with my family."
"Of course," Thomas says in a rush, like he'd been bracing himself for a flat-out no. "How about I call you tomorrow?"
"That's perfect. I'll speak to you then."
Donna collects the last of her things and exits her office, lingering in the doorway to peek into Harvey's – but the lights are now off. She steps inside fully but there's no sign of him. His laptop and coat are gone, and an empty tumbler sits on the glass coffee table. It quickly dawns on her that he left without saying goodbye.
She ignores the ache in her chest, fighting the urge to call him and demand an explanation. Instead, she crosses the long hallway towards Louis's office. He doesn't notice when she first enters, his head only a few inches from his computer screen, brow furrowed in thought.
"Louis?"
He looks up sharply, but his features soften when he sees her.
"Donna. I didn't see you come in."
"I just wanted to say goodnight."
He flashes her a toothy smile. "Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas, Louis."
She swivels on her heel, about to leave, then stops.
"Donna? Was there something else?"
She turns back to Louis. "If you and Shiela weren't spending Christmas in the city, where would you go? Hypothetically?"
"Bora Bora."
Donna smirks. "How about somewhere driving distance?"
He leans back in his chair, thinking a moment. His mouth drops open, he looks to the ceiling, then closes it again. Then, he snatches a pen and paper from his desk.
"I know the perfect place."
"Really?"
He nods furiously, scribbling a name and address across the paper. "Quaint, romantic, and the town goes all out for the holidays – which I know you'll love."
She tries to get a peek at what he's writing. "Sounds good so far."
"Total privacy," he says, ripping off the piece of paper and handing it to her. "Seriously, I mean it. You can make love in these cabins as loud as you like and the other guests won't even hear you."
"Ah…"
"Not that I verified this, but you can definitely have a Merry Little Christmas if you know what I—"
"Thank you—Louis. I appreciate the recommendation."
Louis breaks out into a wide grin. "You're welcome, Donna. They get busy around the holidays but give them my name and the staff will look after you."
"I owe you one," Donna squeezes his hand. "Don't stay too late."
.
Two days later.
As the car speeds along the highway, Donna watches in the rearview mirror as New York City disappears behind her. A gentle squeeze of her knee pulls her focus, and she turns to Thomas, flashing him a smile. He holds her gaze a second, looking at her in a way that could only be described as adoring.
"Have I mentioned how glad I am that you decided to join me after all?"
"Not since we left Manhattan," she says with a wink. "And technically you're joining me since I suggested we flee the state."
"Ah, so we're on the run."
"Oh, did I not mention that?"
"Good thing you know a lot of lawyers." Thomas's thumb caresses the inside of her thigh before he returns his hand to the wheel.
"And you're sure your parents don't mind you skipping out on Christmas?" he asks.
"They'll be with my sister; I promise they're okay with it," she assures Thomas. "I'll head to Cortland in a few days."
Okay is perhaps underselling it. Her mom had about a dozen questions for her that ranged from simple – is he a good man? – to unknowable – could he be the one? – and right back to impossible – does Harvey know?
Donna's father, on the other hand, just seemed relieved to be rescheduled for someone other than her former boss.
"If you're not sick of me yet… maybe I could join you?"
Donna squeezes his shoulder. "Or if you're not sick of me."
She's thankful when Thomas accepts her obvious diversion tactic with a chuckle. Their relationship has progressed rapidly and, despite their impromptu holiday getaway, she's hesitant to catapult their bourgeoning romance too far forward. Introducing a boyfriend to the family is a huge step, one she hasn't taken since she'd been with Mark. She won't even let herself think about the disastrous night her mother met Harvey.
Donna's eyes glaze over a minute as she fights off a yawn.
"I'm surprised I could lure you out of bed this morning without a coffee," Thomas says.
Donna groans at the reminder. "Since we're about to spend the next three nights straight together, you should know that I'm not actually a morning person by choice," she says. "So, even though I promised a quiet, romantic getaway, I hope for your sake that it's walking distance from a Starbucks."
Thomas laughs. "It should only take us an hour or so to get there, but if you want to nap until we get there, I won't be offended."
Donna playfully complies, resting her head on his shoulder long enough to let her eyes drift shut.
.
The inn is every bit as charming as Louis promised. They arrive just before midday and the small lobby smells like freshly baked gingerbread and pine from the very real Christmas tree in front of the snow-frosted bay window. There's a fire roaring in the library that adjoins the dining room, and staff are buzzing around setting up for lunch. Every table is adorned with Christmas place settings, crackers and all.
To Donna, who has always been enamoured by Christmas cheer, it's the perfect antidote to the clinical offices in which she spends most of her time. Not that the firm isn't like her second home – it is – but it barely scratches the surface of holiday spirit.
The woman at the front desk manages to have their room ready early since most of their guests rushed off early to be home in time for Christmas. She also points out how lucky they are that the inn had a few last-minute cancellations to free up their room. The concierge escorts them out of the main building, down a garden path and towards the private cabins.
Their room is as homey as the rest of the inn: brick-covered walls, hardwood floors, a roaring fireplace, a generous-sized bathtub and a king bed. Upon check-in, the front desk manager advised them that the room had been arranged with what the staff term 'the love package' – a request that Thomas secretly made when he called up yesterday to confirm Donna's reservation. A bottle of Champagne is chilling on ice on the coffee table next to a plate of chocolate-covered strawberries. From the living area to the bed, a trail of red and pink rose petals cover the floorboards. On the bed, the petals are arranged in a heart shape, while a long-stemmed rose rests atop each pillow. It's a sweet setup that borders on sickening, but they fall straight onto the bed anyway and find themselves there for the next few hours.
Once they're showered and re-dressed, it's late afternoon and they have just an hour of daylight left.
"We've missed most of the day," Donna notes as Thomas plants a kiss on her neck while she finishes getting ready. "And something tells me this town doesn't have much of a nightlife."
He wraps his arms around her waist, bringing her close. "Well, I did some research and I've actually planned an activity for us."
Donna smirks mischievously. "What kind of activity?"
"I might need some time to recover before we repeat that particular activity," he says with a laugh. "It is a surprise though."
The inn is only a short work from the town centre, so they meander over on foot. Snow falls delicately from the sky, and as Thomas reaches for her hand without reservation, Donna can't get past how damn romantic it all feels.
When they near the gazebo in the centre square, Thomas comes to a halt in front of her, blocking her view.
"Donna, I have to warn you. This activity we're about to embark on is pretty cheesy."
Her lips twitch into a smile. "Okay…"
"And if you hate it, I promise to let you mock me mercilessly."
And there, just a few yards away is a makeshift Christmas sleigh, with a horse and driver ready to whisk them away.
Donna wraps her arms around Thomas's neck. "This is so so incredibly cheesy and I love it." She punctuates her words with a kiss. "Thank you."
Thomas gives her a warm smile that makes her stomach flip. God, when was the last time a man looked at her like that?
As they ride through the small Connecticut town, marvelling at the holiday displays and huddling close together, Donna feels herself truly relax. She loves New York, the firm, and all it represents, but sometimes it's stifling.
She's finally realising how much truth there was in the words she said to Katrina just a few months ago: the answer is to fall for someone who has nothing to do with this place at all.
.
They finish up their sleigh ride and make their way back to the inn, hoping to grab a late dinner. A quick glance at the dining room suggests they might be out of luck.
"I'll ask the front desk if there's any openings," Donna tells Thomas. "Why don't you hover in the dining room and nab the first free table you see?"
Thomas leans in close, tucking her hair behind her ear. "Or we could just skip dinner?"
Donna playfully pushes him away. "Trust me, you're going to want to the energy."
"I'll hold you to that."
When she reaches the front desk, there's already a couple ahead of her speaking with the manager. The manager casts a brief look at her, then says with a smile, "I'll be with you in just a moment."
"No rush," Donna says. It's only after she speaks that the couple in front of her whip their heads around and she gets a proper look at them.
"Harvey?"
"Donna?"
Right by Harvey's side, looking petite, powerful and as intimidating as ever, is Dana Scott.
Scottie casts a sidelong glance at Harvey, before returning her gaze to Donna. "Donna, I didn't know you were going to be here."
Donna lets out a nervous laugh. "I mean, why would you?"
Scottie spares another glance at Harvey. "Am I meant to believe this is a coincidence?" she asks, though it's unclear who the question is directed at.
Donna has plenty of questions herself.
"Donna," Harvey starts, "I had no idea you would be here, otherwise we wouldn't have—"
"Donna, I think my presence is starting to piss off a few people in the dining room."
Of course, Thomas's timing makes the moment exponentially more uncomfortable. Thomas startles when he notices Harvey, and rather than have another round of pointless name exchanges, Donna steps in. "Thomas, you remember Harvey."
Thomas recovers quickly, extending a hand to Harvey. "Good to see you again – and in Connecticut of all places."
"I'm still piecing that together myself," Scottie says with a smirk.
Harvey smiles tightly, gesturing to Scottie. "This is Dana Scott."
Without hesitating, Scottie shakes Thomas's hand. "Pleasure to meet you."
Before Donna, Harvey or Scottie has to summarise their long, interwoven history, the hotel manager interjects.
"Thank you for your patience," she says to Harvey and Scottie. "I have your room key just here. Our concierge will take your bags up just now, so please let us know if you need anything else."
Harvey snatches the single key and pockets it with a quick thanks.
"And how can I help you?" the manager asks Donna.
"Oh, we were just hoping for a table for dinner."
The manager's face falls slightly. "Oh, I'm so sorry, we just gave our last table away."
Ah, of course.
"How about you two join us?" Scottie says.
Donna's first and only thought is absolutely not, but Thomas speaks first, "Are you sure? We wouldn't want to impose."
Scottie plasters on a smile. "Not at all."
Meanwhile, Harvey looks just disinterested at the thought of the four of them breaking bread together. "We insist," he says, saving face in front of their audience.
Harvey and Scottie set off for the dining room and Thomas captures Donna's hand in his. He whispers in her ear, "That woman has one hell of a grip."
"You should see her right hook."
.
After a fairly romantic afternoon, this is the exact opposite of how Donna expected to be spending her evening. As soon as the four of them sit down, the air is thick with tension – at least on her end. At first, it's Thomas and Scottie carrying the conversation, a dynamic she can confidently say she's never envisaged.
"So, Dana, how do you and Harvey know each other?"
Harvey and Scottie exchange a charged glace. Donna makes sure to control her expression.
"The short answer is we met in law school," Scottie says.
Thomas chuckles. "And the long answer?"
Scottie smirks. "We might need a few drinks before we get there."
"We're old rivals," Harvey says with a hint of a smile on his face.
There's a brief lapse in the conversation, and Donna takes the opportunity to swiftly order a bottle of red for the table. "Stay close," she whispers to the waiter.
Once the bottle arrives and they pour their drinks, Donna asks the question that's been on the tip of her tongue since she spotted Harvey and Scottie.
"So, how on earth did the two of you end up at the same Connecticut inn?"
Thomas lays a hand on her knee. "I'm sure they had the same idea as us." His eyes flicker over to Harvey and Scottie. "Romantic holiday getaway?"
Harvey clears his throat, setting down his drink. Scottie rolls her eyes. "Relax, Harvey," she says.
"Just two old friends catching up," Harvey says, though the words seem squarely directed at Donna.
"It's a charming little place," Scottie notes, glancing around the room at the décor. "Thomas, I guess you and Harvey have the same taste."
Donna almost spits out her wine. There's that right hook.
"Actually, Donna picked the spot," Thomas says, his hand still on her knee. Donna is trying to ignore the fact that she feels uncomfortable with Thomas touching her in front of Harvey. It's reminiscent of the night they all ran into each other in the lobby and Donna couldn't get away fast enough.
"It was a recommendation from Louis," she clarifies.
A look of understanding washes over Harvey's face. "You're kidding."
"He and Sheila come here. He told me it was—"
"Quaint, romantic?" Harvey finishes.
"He told you about the walls too, then?"
Harvey grimaces. "Ugh, don't remind me."
Donna tilts her head, still trying to put the pieces together. "But you hate the holidays."
Harvey merely shrugs. "I'm visiting my mom and Marcus in Boston on Christmas day, figured I'd take the scenic route."
Donna is dying to know why Scottie is along for the ride and if she's going to be spending Christmas with Harvey and his family. However, Thomas interjects before any follow-up questions can leave her mouth.
"I wonder why Louis recommend the exact same hotel in the same town to both of you," he says.
Scottie twirls her glass of wine, studying Harvey. "Why indeed," she mutters.
"The man is sorely lacking in original thought," Harvey says.
This earns a chuckle from Thomas. Donna, however, isn't willing to drop the subject just yet. Unfortunately, before she can press Harvey for details, Scottie asks, "And how long have you two been dating?"
"A few months now," Donna answers.
Thomas kisses her cheek. Donna feels like she's burning, though it's got nothing to do with the open fireplace in the dining room.
"She's pretty spectacular."
"She is," Harvey says simply. They lock eyes, and for a minute, it feels like it's just the two of them.
The waiter approaches their table, and the moment is over. He takes their orders, and the subject quickly changes to work – safer territory for all involved.
Donna can hardly make sense of the scene before her. Harvey and Scottie. The day before Christmas Eve. At the same romantic inn that Louis recommended to her and Thomas. A single key.
Seeing the two of them together now gives her the same feeling of dread as every other time.
Donna's always had it in her head that she and Harvey were a unit with an unbreakable bond. But before Harvey and Donna, there was Harvey and Scottie. She hates herself for admitting it, but she's always felt a twinge of jealousy observing their interactions. They've always been close. Even when they were at each other's throats, there was always a level of care that underpinned their actions.
Harvey keeps a lot of things private, and Scottie has always been one of the bigger question marks in his life. But with another man by her side, what right does Donna have to demand answers?
Their meals arrive and Donna pushes her food around aimlessly on her plate, her appetite long gone. She's grateful that the waiter knows to keep her wine glass filled at all times.
"So Donna," Scottie says. "Harvey tells me you're COO at the firm now."
Donna gulps down her wine and smiles. "That's right."
"The firm's never ran so smoothly," Harvey says.
"Think you can keep the same name for more than five minutes?" Scottie says, getting a genuine laugh out of both Donna and Harvey.
"Oh, trust me, I'm working on it. I tried to get Pearson Paulson off the ground, but it never seemed to take off," she says, shooting a playful glare at Harvey.
"Without you, I'm sure Specter never would have even made it up there," Scottie acknowledges.
Donna and Harvey share another look. A smile threatens to tug his lips. "She has a point."
"How long did you work for Harvey?" Thomas asks, his hand finding her thigh again.
"Twelve, thirteen years?" she says, eyes flicking to Harvey to verify.
Thomas lets out a low whistle. "Wow, that's a long time to work for one person."
Donna ignores the clench of her stomach and swiftly buries the thought that she's been here before. She studies Thomas's face but finds his expression unreadable.
"Well, Donna did work for Louis for a little while in between," Harvey blurts out.
"Oh?" Thomas asks. "Why did you go and work for Louis?"
Feeling bold from her three glasses of wine, Donna says, "Harvey, why did I go and work for Louis?"
Harvey sits back in his chair, bringing his glass to his lips. Scottie and Thomas's eyes are on him.
"I was an asshole," he eventually says. The answer is disappointing, though not unsurprising.
Thomas chuckles. Scottie raises her glass, then says, "Sounds about right."
Their dinner plates are cleared shortly after, and Donna takes the opportunity to announce to the table that she's tired and ready to turn in.
"Thanks for letting us join you," Donna says.
"It was nice meeting you, Dana," Thomas says. "And Harvey, good to see you again."
The two men share another handshake.
"We'll see you around," Harvey says.
"Good night," Donna says.
They leave the pair at the table, with Donna refusing to look back.
There's a sense of relief when they return to the cabin. Sharing dinner with her boyfriend, Harvey and Harvey's ex-girlfriend was far too surreal, a feeling amplified by the steady supply of merlot throughout the meal.
They wordlessly get ready for bed and Donna can't help but think that this is so far from what she pictured for their first night away together. This trip was supposed to be about continuing to build and nurture something separate from the firm. Something that was all hers. Something that had nothing to do with Harvey.
"Pretty crazy that we ran into those two, isn't it?" Thomas says, flicking off the bathroom light and joining her in bed.
"I'm sorry if you felt shanghaied into having dinner with them," Donna says into the darkness.
Thomas pats her thigh. "Not at all – they're your friends. I mean, you and Harvey—"
Me and Harvey.
"You've known each other forever. Isn't it time I got to know him?"
Is it? Or is it everything I've been trying to avoid since we started this thing?
"You're right."
Donna punctuates the words with a kiss and a soft goodnight.
.
"You want to tell me what the hell that was?" Scottie says, kicking off her heels the moment she steps through the hotel door.
"Me?" Harvey balks. "You asked them to have dinner with us. And by the way, you were mildly antagonistic for most of it."
Harvey closes the door behind them, following Scottie as she stalks through the room barefoot. She heads straight for the mini bar, tearing open a tiny bottle of vodka.
"Great, that'll be twenty-five dollars."
Scottie smirks, then cracks open another bottle.
"Real mature."
Harvey snatches the bottle from her hand, takes a sip, and lets the bitter taste of cheap vodka coat his throat.
"I was not antagonistic," Scottie shoots back.
"You leapt at every opportunity to take a swing at me."
Scottie fetches another two bottles from the bar and tosses one in his direction. He just manages to catch it.
"Someone had to fill those awkward silences. And by the way, are you and Donna even friends anymore? Because you could have fooled me."
That stops him short. Scottie takes his surprise as an admission.
"I've spent all of five minutes with her boyfriend, I didn't expect to be having dinner with the guy. Thanks again for that."
He drops down into a chair beside the window. Scottie approaches him, clearly enjoying the height advantage for once. She smiles wide, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes. It's a smile he knows well – like a shark who smells blood in the water.
"It bothers you."
"Scottie—"
"You can't stand seeing her with another man."
"That's not—"
"You do know she's not yours,don't you?"
Harvey slams his empty bottle on the table. "Scottie, back off."
She doesn't flinch, but her expression softens.
"And don't play games with me."
He sighs. "Scottie, I swear I didn't plan to run into her."
Scottie laughs, looking away from him. "Really? Because that's exactly how it looks."
"Can I help it that Louis has been to exactly one place outside of New York?"
Scottie shakes her head, her hands on her hips.
"Why did you bring me here?"
Harvey resents the implication that he dragged her out of the city. "You didn't have to say yes."
"That's not the point here."
He shifts in his seat. "You know why."
Scottie lifts her chin in defiance. "Say it."
A few seconds pass before he finally relents. "I didn't want to be alone, okay?"
She crosses her arms, raising a perfectly groomed eyebrow. "That's never bothered you before."
He shrugs, standing up from the chair to cross the room and put some space between them. "People change."
Scottie scoops up her heels and heads to the interconnecting door that joins their rooms. "I don't think it's the holidays that are making you lonely, Harvey."
He doesn't watch her leave, but he hears the click of the door. He wants to go after her and tell her that being alone and being lonely are not the same thing, but he can't remember the distinction anymore.
.
On Christmas Eve, Donna wakes from a fitful sleep with Thomas's arms around her. Normally she enjoys waking up like this, only this morning it makes her feel guilty because she spent the better part of her broken sleep fixating on Harvey and Scottie. Seemingly together. Again.
Donna knows the pair are leaving for Boston early Christmas morning, so she only has to avoid them for the day and then she can happily return to her love bubble with Thomas, ignoring all thoughts of Harvey Specter until the firm reopens in the new year.
She slides out of Thomas's embrace. He mutters her name, but she just tells him she's going off in search of coffee.
Deciding to eliminate any potential run-ins with Harvey and Scottie, Donna bypasses coffee from the restaurant downstairs and instead sets off for the town centre.
It's early, but there are still plenty of townsfolk and tourists milling about. She beelines for the first café she can find, then orders an americano for Thomas and her usual double shot latte with vanilla. The cashier seems disappointed by her order, especially since he tried to upsell her on the town's 'famous Christmas-in-a-cup gingerbread spice latte'.
While Donna waits for her order, she settles onto a nearby bench in front of the window. She zones out for a couple of minutes, her senses dulled from poor sleep.
The sound of her name grabs her attention.
Harvey.
It figures. In fact, he's probably employing the same avoidance tactic as Donna.
"Couldn't bear the thought of hotel coffee, either?" he asks from his place at the register.
Donna is fairly certain the hotel restaurant would serve better coffee than what she's about to experience but she doesn't want to be the one to expose their mutual avoidant tactics.
"You got me."
Harvey orders his own double-shot vanilla latte and then approaches her. He drops down into the seat beside her, their legs just a couple of inches apart.
"Listen, Donna," Harvey starts, turning his head to look at her. "I know last night was…"
"Uncomfortable?" she says, meeting his eyes.
"I was going to say unexpected."
The barista calls out Donna's name and she collects the tray with their coffees.
"If you don't mind waiting a couple minutes," Harvey says, "We can walk back together?"
"Of course," Donna says, trying to imbue her words with complete nonchalance.
Harvey retrieves his order a moment later and they begin their stroll back to the inn.
"He seems like a good guy," Harvey tells her as they fall in step with one another. "Thomas, I mean."
"He is – though I'm sure Louis has already told you that."
Harvey snorts. "I don't often use Louis's judgement as a barometer of someone's character."
"Liar," Donna fires back.
Harvey may joke, but Donna knows that he's come to deeply respect Louis's opinions on both professional and personal matters.
"Scottie said something last night that's been kind of bothering me."
Donna could name at least a few statements from the night before, but she asks the direct question anyway. "What did she say?"
Harvey looks ahead. "That it didn't even seem like you and I were friends anymore."
His words twist something in her gut. She thinks about his empty office just a few nights ago. She can't even remember the last time they had a drink together. Or visited each other's office to discuss something outside of work. Or prayed a prank on Louis. Or did their pre-trial ritual.
"Harvey, I know our relationship changed when I stopped being your assistant, but we're still friends," she says. "It's just different."
"Right." Harvey nods thoughtfully. There are at least a dozen steps where Harvey doesn't say anything, and then, "I don't ever want to be a complication in your life, Donna."
She sits with the words for a moment. "You mean like I was in yours?"
Harvey stops in the middle of the path. "That's not what I said."
"No?"
"No." The answer is firm. "Besides, we've moved past that."
Donna isn't convinced they moved past it so much as they repressed it. But it's early in the morning and she's sleep-deprived – she doesn't feel like reopening old wounds that never really healed.
"We have," she says, then swallows the lie with a sip of scalding hot coffee.
"I know I don't play well with others."
What Harvey really means is, he doesn't play well with her boyfriends. It's one of the many reasons why she always kept her professional and personal life separate.
"I know I've also been… deficient in this area," Donna admits, prompting a smirk from Harvey. "At times. Once. Twice, maybe."
"I guess what I'm trying to say is that you mean a lot to me," he says. "And if Thomas means something to you, then I don't see why things need to be uncomfortable."
Well, this is unexpected. This is… possibly some real growth from Harvey. For months now, Donna has been trying to reconcile a life without Harvey – at least in the capacity she's used to – but maybe things don't have to be so binary. She can have love and still maintain a friendship with Harvey. Maybe they both finally can.
.
After he and Donna part ways in the lobby, Harvey feels infinitely lighter. Not friends, my ass. He returns to his room and finds that the adjoining door has been opened once again. Scottie's equivalent of a ceasefire.
Scottie is sitting on a lounge chair, legs crossed under her laptop while she types. This woman will work until her very last breath.
"No thanks, I didn't want a coffee," she says.
"Well, good, because I didn't get you one."
She snorts, then shuts her laptop, looking up at him. He sighs, then hands over the last of his coffee – it's still lukewarm.
Scottie takes a sip, then says, "Still stuck on the vanilla stuff, huh?"
He shrugs, sitting on the foot of the bed. "About last night…" Scottie tilts her head, giving him her full attention. "I want to be clear that I didn't bring you here as part of some elaborate set-up to get even with Donna. I promise I didn't know she'd be here."
Scottie toys with the lid of the coffee cup. "I believe you, Harvey."
He cares a lot about Scottie, and being her friend, without their usual relationship dynamics, is proving more complicated than he expected.
"If you don't want to stay here, we can leave and drive up to Boston a day early."
"Harvey, you might be willing to spend an extra day with your family, but I sure as hell don't want to spend more time with mine," she says with a laugh. "We'll stay and get into the holiday spirit or whatever."
"Great attitude."
.
In truth, Harvey had expected Scottie to take the clear out. She'd been pissed last night, and despite revelling in some of his discomfort, Harvey knows that Scottie loathes surprises, particularly when she feels at a disadvantage.
"In fact," she says, pushing herself out of the chair. "I ran into Thomas downstairs before, and he asked if we wanted to join him and Donna tonight."
"Another dinner?" he asks.
Scottie shakes her head. "Apparently this town has some of the biggest Christmas light displays along the East Coast. And since there isn't a single bar in this town – I did ask – it might be worth checking out."
Looking at Christmas light displays on a freezing winter night is not an activity that Harvey has any great interest in, but Donna loves this sort of thing.
"Yeah, I guess so."
"Great attitude."
The walk to the town square is brisk, but only mildly uncomfortable. Harvey notices that they fall into a line of four, avoiding the formation of any pairs – or what they may imply. Pretty soon they're surrounded by throngs of townsfolk and tourists, and he spots Thomas snake his arm around Donna's waist like it belongs there. He hangs back a little but feels Scottie propel him forward with a gentle shove.
There are clear markings for the light displays that weave all through town. There's a huge exhibition with Santa and his reindeer, animated enough so it looks like they're 'moving' through the air. There's another in the town's gazebo that pays homage to Santa climbing down the chimney. There's also an entire street lined with glowing candy canes that lead to an actual candy store. Frankly, it's all a bit over the top for Harvey's taste. And, despite living in New York, Harvey isn't big on crowds, and he's already thinking about heading back to the inn and raiding the mini bar in the peace of his hotel room.
But then, Donna leans over, whispering in his ear, "I know being a grinch is your default setting, but try and enjoy yourself."
She pulls back with a wide smile. The bright fairy lights behind her illuminate her flaming hair, and the tip of her nose is pink from the cold. He finds himself smiling back, all thoughts of solitude gone. That is, until Thomas calls out her name and ushers her over.
Thomas takes her hand and points out a snowman display in the shop window a few doors over. Harvey looks around for Scottie, but finds her a step behind him, watching the exchange with obvious interest.
"What?"
She crosses her arms and shakes her head lightly. There's a small smile playing on her lips.
"Nothing. Let's get a closer look at that giant reindeer display," she says, gesturing over her shoulder.
Harvey and Scottie split off for a while, but he finds his eyes keep falling over to Donna and her boyfriend. Thomas whispering in her ear. Kissing her cheek. Touching her hair. Knowing Donna is in a relationship and seeing it paraded in front of him are two very different things. But he promised he'd play nice and—
"Oh my god, Harvey."
He abruptly turns his attention to Scottie.
"What? I—"
"Have spent the last five minutes staring at Donna and Thomas."
"I was looking at the light display."
Scottie leans in almost conspiratorially. "Look, I know you better than most people," she says. "So I can tell when you're lying through your teeth."
"Scottie," he sighs, "we've been over this."
"No, I've raised the issue, several times over the years, might I add. You, on the other hand, have dismissed it every time."
This stops him in his tracks. Scottie's words have a habit of doing that.
"We're friends," he stresses. "I'm happy for her."
"And as someone who has known you both for a very long time, I'm getting pretty bored of this narrative."
Scottie pushes past him in the direction of Donna and Thomas. Harvey, slightly panicked by the wild look in Scottie's eyes, charges after her. Scottie reaches for Donna's arm, and says, "I'm going to grab a drink, do you want to come with me?"
"Ah, sure," Donna says, obviously startled by the interruption. "I saw a mulled wine stand near Santa's workshop."
"Perfect," Scottie says.
She practically drags Donna back through the crowd.
This naturally leaves Harvey with Thomas. The man chuckles, staring as the two women leave. Then, he pulls a couple of cigars from his coat pocket and hands one to Harvey.
"While we're waiting, why don't we find somewhere to smoke these?"
They duck out of the crowds and find a designated smoking area. Even with the haze of second-hand smoke, Harvey appreciates the breather.
Thomas pulls out a lighter to light his cigar and then passes it to Harvey. He can't remember the last time he smoked a cigar, but it was probably years ago on the roof of the firm with Jessica.
"That Scottie sure is a spitfire."
"She sure is." Harvey smirks around his cigar. "Though the idea of her and Donna spending more than five minutes together makes me nervous."
Thomas laughs. "They don't get along?"
"Not historically," he mutters, though he realises he might have said too much.
"I have to say, I kind of picked up on that at dinner," Thomas notes.
Harvey knows what Thomas is doing. He's sat in on enough depositions that he can feel when an interrogation is brewing.
"Donna's just protective because Scottie's an old adversary."
"But you've dated in the past?"
"That's right."
Thomas nods, rubbing his jaw thoughtfully. "You don't strike me as someone who needs protecting."
Although Thomas's tone is light, there's an undercurrent of seriousness to his words.
"If you knew our firm's history, you'd understand why we all protect each other," Harvey says, trying to re-route the conversation.
"Ah, the firm," Thomas says, smiling fondly. "Remember when you told me, I don't take your relationship with our firm lightly?"
Harvey's mouth flattens into a thin line. "I do."
"I'm starting to think you meant that you don't take my relationship with Donna lightly."
He inhales his cigar, looking the man square in the eyes. Harvey has to admit that the guy has balls.
"I may not be a lawyer," Thomas says, "but I like to think I'm still pretty good at reading people."
"I'll have to take your word for it."
In the far distance, Harvey can see Donna and Scottie weaving their way through the crowd. Thomas spots them too, and he stretches an arm in the air, waving them over.
"Just know that I don't plan on going anywhere, Harvey."
Harvey interprets the words just as they're intended: a warning shot.
.
Donna is marginally unsettled by Scottie's insistence that they get drinks, but she allows Scottie to gently pull her through the sea of tourists, past the flashing twinkle of lights. They take up residence at the back of the queue, and Donna settles in for a long wait.
"I know that was abrupt," Scottie says. "I just kind of needed a break from all the screaming kids."
Donna laughs. "My sister has three of them and I've avoided it this year entirely – so I get it."
"Tell me about it, all my brothers have kids. I'm kind of dreading the family time tomorrow."
"Oh, you're not spending Christmas with Harvey?"
Scottie snorts. Donna didn't realise she'd asked a stupid question.
"Definitely not. We're just headed the same way. Half of my family is in Boston."
"I just assumed…"
"That we were together?"
"Well, yes."
Scottie is quiet for a while, staring ahead at the bar. Eventually, she turns to Donna. "I meant what I said the last time I saw you, Donna."
I'll stay away from him.
They were the only words running through Donna's head when she spotted the two of them together at the inn. Not that it should matter to her.
"You don't have to justify anything to me, Scottie."
Scottie smiles softly. "There's nothing between him and me anymore. I finally understand why we could never make it work between us."
There's a resigned sadness in Scottie's voice, but Donna watches as the woman shakes off the brief moment of vulnerability and steels herself again. Donna's watched her do it before. Scottie doesn't like other people's pity. It's something Donna's always admired about her.
"Contrary to what people might say – and that includes Harvey – I've never disliked you, Scottie," Donna assures her and means it. "If he was going to make it work with anyone, I would have liked it to be you."
Scottie rears back, surprised, and Donna feels the intensity of her stare. "I don't think I've ever seen two people in a bigger state of denial," Scottie marvels. "Donna, the reason we could never make it work is because he's always loved you."
It's one of those rare moments where Donna has nothing to say. The lights and noises around her are suddenly dull, and all she can hear is Scottie's words played back on a loop.
He's always loved you.
"And I'm trying to make peace with that so we can be friends," Scottie continues. "I still want him in my life."
"I can relate to that," Donna admits. Maybe she's always been threatened by Scottie because they do, it seems, have a hell of a lot in common.
"Did you lie to me? All those years ago when I asked if you were in love with him?"
Donna remembers the moment in the file room with vivid clarity. Back then, she staunchly denied any feelings for Harvey that she wouldn't have admitted it to herself, let alone to the other woman in love with him.
"Honestly? I believed it when I said it."
They finally reach the front of the line and Scottie orders a round of drinks. She turns to Donna and says, "You're paying by the way – since you kinda stole my boyfriend."
Donna releases a deep-bellied laugh and Scottie grins at her. Donna does pay for the drinks, and they make their way out of the bar area. They notice Thomas waving them over from the smoker's area where it looks like he and Harvey are sharing a cigar, of all things. Seeing the two of them together does nothing to alleviate her guilt.
Scottie stops her with a gentle hand on her arm. "Donna, you don't have to resolve your feelings right this second."
While this might seem simple in practice, Scottie's just dropped a bombshell in Donna's lap when she's staring down the barrel of two straight days with her boyfriend, followed by a few more with her family. What Donna really wants is to bury her head in the sand until the new year rolls around.
.
After a couple of hours feigning interest in this small town's Christmas fare, Harvey uses the excuse of an early morning to turn in for the night. Scottie is all too happy to cap the night there since her threshold for Christmas cheer is about as short as his.
Harvey is keen to get the goodbyes over with quickly, aware of Thomas's probing gaze when he and Donna exchange a brief embrace. He marvels at the sight of Donna and Scottie wishing each other Merry Christmas and sharing a hug. Something's clearly shifted between the two women, a mutual iciness that's finally thawed. He makes a mental note to ask Scottie about it on the drive to Boston tomorrow morning.
Thomas shakes his hand and Harvey grips it with more force than necessary, smiling tightly at the man to keep up appearances in front of Donna. Harvey still barely knows the guy, but after tonight, he has no desire to.
Come Christmas morning, Harvey and Scottie have their bags packed before the sun is up. Scottie sets off on a mission for coffee, hoping to find luck at a nearby bakery that's still trading on Christmas morning. This leaves Harvey to load their bags into the car – a task clearly relegated to him by Scottie's design.
As he hauls the bags to the car, he's shocked to find Donna, wrapped in a thick coat and scarf, sitting on the hood. Behind her, the sun is just beginning to rise.
"You're up early," he observes, throwing the bags into the trunk. He circles back around to the front of the vehicle. Donna stays planted on the hood.
"I didn't sleep much."
He gestures up to the sky, which is still shrouded in half-darkness. "There's still plenty of time."
Plenty of time for you to go back into the arms of another guy.
Donna runs a hand through her hair, staring off into the distance. She heaves a soft sigh and Harvey can see her breath in the chilly morning air. Harvey pulls his own coat tighter around his body.
"You were the last person I expected to see this Christmas," she eventually says, turning her head to look at him.
"You make it seem like you were trying to get away from me."
"I was."
Her admission hangs in the air between them. Harvey sits next to her, ignoring their usual boundaries of personal space. His thigh is flush with hers and he's desperate to feel the warmth of her skin beneath her thick layers of clothing.
"Why did you bring Scottie with you? Why not drive yourself to Boston? Why not fly out on Christmas morning?"
"Donna—"
Donna holds a finger to his lips, smiling sweetly. "I'm not trying to interrogate you, Harvey." She drops her hand. "I know that you and I don't share a lot of our personal lives, so you don't have to answer if you don't want to."
Harvey knows he doesn't owe Donna an explanation, but he finds himself telling her anyway. "My mom and Marcus had other plans leading up to Christmas day and, truthfully, I didn't feel like waking up alone again in my apartment on Christmas morning."
Donna nods, squeezing his arm.
"So, I cancelled my flight and decided to drive and make a couple of days out of it. As for Scottie, well, she helped with the not wanting to be alone factor."
"I get that."
Harvey is under no obligation to admit the next part, but Donna woke up just so she could say goodbye to him in private, so he feels like he owes her a piece of himself in return. "I heard you, that last night in the office."
She frowns. "What?"
"I overheard you making holiday plans with Thomas when I was standing outside your office." He watches a flicker of recognition wash over her face. "I got jealous and then I called an old friend to keep my company."
Donna purses her lips. "I was pissed that you skipped out on our tradition."
Ah, the end-of-year drinks. He'd left because he couldn't stand the idea that it might be their last one.
"Things are different now. Old traditions die out and new ones take their place," he says with a resigned shrug.
Donna toys with the end of her scarf, avoiding his gaze. "That's what I'm trying to do here – make new traditions with someone new who genuinely cares about me. But somehow, you're still everywhere, Harvey. Literally," she says with a light laugh.
Harvey knows there's more, and he wants to coax it out of her.
"So, I'm more than just a complication in your life?"
"Harvey." She takes his hand, entwining their fingers together. Without any fear or reservation, she says, "You are my life."
Harvey doesn't need any more words. With his free hand, he cups her cheek and brings their lips together. Her mouth is warm, opening easily against his. He kisses her slowly, savouring the both newness and surprising familiarity of kissing her. Donna is the first to pull away, a little breathless. She rests her forehead against his. Harvey wants so much more than this stolen moment. He wants to get in the car with her and drive far, far away, everyone else be damned.
"I know you're with him, and I don't want to be that guy," Harvey says against her lips, "but I don't want to spend another minute pretending that I don't have feelings for you."
Donna sucks in a breath, then chases it with a smile. Despite the chill in the air, the cold hood of his car and the other man waiting for her just a few yards away, Harvey could happily sit in this moment with her forever.
"I'm sick of pretending too," she says. Though Harvey is reluctant to let her go, she gently disentangles from their embrace. "I need to take care of a few things, but I'll see you once you're back?"
Harvey senses that Donna needs the reassurance. He's waited years for her, he can wait another week.
"I'm driving back in a week and heading straight to the firm," he tells her. "Your office will be my first stop."
They both slide off the hood of the car. Donna starts to walk away, then suddenly thinks better of it, turning back to press her body against his and give him a searing kiss. When she pulls back, she says, "Goodbye, Harvey."
He beams at her. "Merry Christmas, Donna."
Donna disappears up the path behind the inn towards the cabins. He watches her retreating form, knowing with one hundred percent certainty that he's never had a better Christmas morning.
.
One week later.
On January 2nd, Donna finds that the firm is exactly how she left it. Associates are buzzing around, Samantha and Alex are stalking the halls like two lions surveying their kingdom, Katrina is already neck-deep in legal briefs that Donna wonders if she returned to the office a day early.
She eyes Harvey's office on the way to her own, disappointed to find that she beat him here.
When she said goodbye to Harvey on Christmas morning, she returned to her cabin to find that Thomas was already awake and packing his bags. He told her he was going to take a train back to New York.
"Thomas, I owe you an explanation."
"My mind is already picturing a dozen different scenarios about why I woke up to find my girlfriend wasn't in the bed we fell asleep in." He sighs, unable to look at her. "I've seen enough that I can fill in the blanks. If it's alright with you, I think I'm better off not knowing the details."
She finds herself biting back tears. Thomas doesn't deserve to be strung along like this. "I'm so sorry, Thomas."
He nods, slinging his bag over his shoulder. He crosses the room, hovering at the cabin door. Finally, he meets her eyes. "You've always loved him, haven't you?"
Donna doesn't know how to answer the question without hurting Thomas further. Mercifully, and seemingly out of self-preservation, he never waits to hear her answer.
Although Donna still has palpable guilt over the way things ended with Thomas, finally admitting her feelings for Harvey – both to herself and Harvey – is incredibly freeing. They talked a little over the holidays while Donna was in Cortland and Harvey in Boston, though they kept things mutually platonic, outside of the occasional, yearn-filled 'I can't wait to see you'.
A knock on her door pulls her out of her reverie. It's Louis, beaming at her from the doorway. She gives him a fond little eye-roll and ushers him inside. He can get so sappy on the first business day of the new year.
"So, Donna… how was your Christmas vacation? Was it everything you expected?"
Donna is thrown by his lilting tone of voice. She decides to maintain an air of neutrality. "It was fine, and yours?"
Louis tilts his head, then helps himself to the chair opposite hers. "Come on, you have to give me more than that," he practically whines.
"Oh, the inn. It was great," she says. "Thanks again for your help getting a room."
Louis lurches forward in his seat, arms outstretched on her desk, inches away from invading her personal space. A smile takes over Louis's face. He rears back and slumps in his seat, gaze drifting towards the view of the New York skyline.
"Well, I'll be damned." Louis's eyes flick back to meet hers. "After all these years, the two of you finally getting together."
What in the actual—
"When you and Harvey came to me on the same night looking for a hotel over Christmas, I could hardly believe it, especially since you'd been dating Thomas and Harvey had been, well, doing whatever his equivalent of dating is…"
"You recommended the same hotel… on purpose? Because you thought we were going together?"
Louis's brow furrows. "Well, of course, I wouldn't send you to the same hotel with other people – that's insanity."
Donna puts her head in her hands, her body shaking from laughter. Louis leaves her office after a couple of minutes, completely bewildered by her reaction. Someday soon, she'll divulge the whole story, but for now, she's keeping it to herself.
She's not even an hour into her workday when she gets a call from Harvey.
"You better be on your way in," she tells him.
There's a brief pause.
"I'm not coming into the office." Before the disappointment can register, Harvey continues, "I'm outside your building."
"You're kidding."
"Ray is waiting for you outside the office to bring you home. As far as I'm concerned, the first day of business starts tomorrow."
"And just what do you have planned for the next twenty-four hours?" she asks, already collecting her things.
"I think it's better if I show you."
Donna is out the door before anybody in the office even notices she's gone.