Note: You are all so wonderful for still reading – I'm sorry for the slow updates - I have a busy couple of weeks ahead of me. No matter how much I need to focus on work or my personal life, this story is constantly brewing in my brain, and I won't leave you hanging for too long! Thank you thank you to everyone who is still with me almost 2 months later! I can't even explain how much fun this has been for me - you guys make it so worth it.
…
Donna wished that she could say that things got easier after their conversation, but while Rosie was back at daycare and she was back in the office, she and Harvey were both still feeling the stress of managing this new life.
Donna was still taking Rosie home everyday at 6pm, oftentimes leaving Harvey to handle things at the firm on his own. She wasn't his secretary anymore, but they were still a team, and without her by his side during the late nights at the office, he had trouble focusing and keeping up. Thankfully, Echo Systems had eased up on the firm, which gave Harvey a break, but he knew what Donna had said was right – there would always be another case, another client, another thing pulling him towards work and away from his family.
…
With the Thanksgiving disappointment still fresh, Donna insisted that they host Christmas in the city. She knew it would be easier to let Lily or Marcus host rather than to ask them to come to them, but she'd be lying if she wasn't taking it upon herself in fear of Harvey having to miss out if they were required to travel. If they were hosting his family at their house, all he had to do was show up.
…
Donna planned a full New York City Christmas for the 7 of them, complete with the Rockettes, ice skating in Central Park, and the tree lighting at Rockefeller Center.
Thankfully, Harvey was able to sneak away from work to join for most of it, but there was still a sense of distraction as he scrolled through his emails on Christmas Eve.
Lily, Marcus, and the kids were staying at Donna's apartment, which she had outfitted with its own small Christmas tree, stockings, and lights, so Santa would be sure to find them there. Rosie was in bed; Harvey on the couch, as Donna brought out piles of wrapped presents and placed them under their tree.
"Need a hand?" Harvey questioned.
"No, this is the last of it," she said, as she dropped onto the couch next to him.
Putting his phone down, he slipped his arm around her and pulled her in, placing a kiss on the side of her head as she let out an exhale.
"You're incredible," he said softly, as he looked at their living room; a tree that almost touched the ceiling, covered with bright lights and beautiful ornaments, surrounded by piles of presents for their daughter and family.
Donna placed her head on his shoulder, "I'm incredibly tired."
"You've basically been running the North Pole out of the Upper West Side, I'm surprised you're up this late," he winked.
She gave him a tired smile, "I just wanted everything to be perfect for her; I know it's technically not her first Christmas, but it's her first Christmas with us," she sighed, "I just want it to be special for everyone."
"Donna," Harvey started as he pulled her to face him, "You have planned the most incredible weekend for our family; you are giving everyone the best Christmas they've ever had. Haley couldn't stop talking about the show today, and my mom hasn't stopped smiling since she got here. Even Marcus is loving it, even if he won't stop complaining about all of the people."
She rolled her eyes. "And you?"
"It's been years since I've spent the holidays with my family, Donna." His eyes were locked in on hers as he spoke quietly. "To have my mom and brother here…" he drifted off, "There was a time where I thought I'd never have a Christmas like this, that I'd never be able to spend it with the people I love. You have no idea how much this weekend has meant to me."
Donna had tears in her eyes as she felt the weight of her efforts subside. All of the planning, the cooking, the wrapping; it was all worth it to see Harvey be able to share Christmas with his family. Their family.
…
Christmas morning brought more joy to their condo than they had ever seen. Wrapping paper, bows, ribbon, flying all around as Harvey's niece and nephew dug into their presents, and Rosie entertained herself with empty boxes and tissue paper, not quite able to unwrap her gifts on her own just yet.
The adults sipped on mimosas and eggnog watching it all unfold; Harvey dodging balled up wrapping paper as the kids tried to shoot their trash into the garbage bag he was holding.
More than enough cookies were had for breakfast while Donna prepared brunch. Quiches, pastries, omelets; there was something for everyone. As Donna stood over the stove, Harvey slipped his arms around her, placing a soft kiss on her neck.
"This looks delicious," he moved his lips along her shoulder, "but I'd be interested in something a little sweeter for breakfast," he whispered in a low voice.
Donna playfully jabbed him in the ribcage, as he took her earlobe between his teeth.
"Harvey," she started firmly, "how much champagne have you had?"
"Hmmm?" he pulled her in tighter. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
She rolled her eyes as she flipped the eggs in the frying pan. Turning her head up to give him a quick kiss, she whispered, "You're only going to have to behave for another two hours, and I'd prefer it if you were at least half coherent by the time you take me to bed."
…
Marcus had to get back to Boston to re-open the restaurant the next day, so he and Lily were leaving New York that evening. After saying their goodbyes, Harvey and Donna collapsed onto the couch, surveying the mess around them.
Donna groaned as she buried her head into Harvey's neck, "I need another year before I do that again."
Pulling her into both of his arms he placed a kiss on her forehead, "I have great news about how they schedule Christmas," he said with a smirk.
"I think I'm dead," she said, unphased by his comments.
"Well, if you could pull yourself out of the grave for a few minutes, I'd like to give you your Christmas gift," he said, his eyes filled with mischief.
Donna gave him a puzzled look, "You mean for the first time in 12 years I don't get to pick it out myself?" she quipped.
Harvey rolled his eyes as he stood up and walked over to his desk. Opening the drawer, he pulled out a large brown envelope, topped with a small bow.
Donna's brows furrowed as she watched Harvey fidget with the envelope as he sat back down on the couch.
Swallowing hard, he took Donna's hand as he handed her the envelope, silently motioning for her to open it.
Carefully removing the stack of papers, her eyes caught on the words printed across the top of the first page.
FAMILY COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
In the Matter of Adoption of: Rosie Specter
Adoptive Parent: Donna Paulsen
Donna read through the rest of the document; everything filled out but the signature line, impatiently awaiting her autograph.
Adoptive Parent, she read over and couldn't breathe. Sure, she was Rosie's mother in every sense of the word, but to have it on paper in front of her, to have them legally bound together, all three of them as family - she felt like she was in a dream.
Her silence as her gaze remained fixed on the page caused a wave of panic to overtake Harvey.
"I know we haven't talked about it," he jumped in, "and I know it's more of a formality at this point – "
She looked up from the papers with tears in her eyes.
"I don't want you to think that I don't already view you as her mother, Donna, that's not –" he trailed off, "We're getting married and I just…I know we haven't talked about your last name and if –"
"Harvey," she cut in, grabbing his arm as she saw the spiral threaten to overtake him. "This is the most beautiful gift anyone has ever given me," her voice barely above a whisper as the tears fell from her eyes. "It's not just a formality," she shook her head, "You're giving me the most important responsibility, the most important role I've ever had."
Harvey's face relaxed as he took in her response. "Then you're going to need the other thing in the envelope."
Confused, Donna reached in and let out a watery laugh when she pulled out a pen, #1 MOM printed across it in big block letters.
"I just have to sign here?" she asked cautiously.
Harvey nodded, smiling at the hint of timidness in her voice, "It's all ready to be filed, as soon as you're ready."
Wiping her tears away, Donna took a deep breath as she drew the pen along the dotted line.
Adoptive Parent: Donna Paulsen, Mother.