AN: Christmas just isn't Christmas without a Hallmark movie story. I am in the middle of selling our house and making a million choices for the new one, a new build project, so fingers crossed I finish this story in time. For those of you waiting on other stories. I have an epilogue of Feels Like Home and five chapters of a new fic ready. It's coming in the new year. For now, I hope this one gives you all the feels this season.

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"Why would I do that?" Donna says into the phone balancing on her shoulder while cutting up a cucumber.

"Why wouldn't you?" Rachel sounds confused.

Donna ponders. "I don't know, let me see. Maybe because you complain all the time about how your boss is a gremlin."

Rachel gasps. "I never said he's an asshole," she whispers into the receiver.

"I didn't say you did. I said Gremlin."

"Please, we both know that's your word for a-hole when Liv is around."

A small chuckle escapes Donna's throat. "If that's what I meant it is only because of the picture you painted, babe."

Rachel inhales deeply. "Look, he'll pay you generously. It'll go a long way towards Liv her tuition fund."

Donna curses inwardly. Rachel is pressing her weak spot. A quick glance over her shoulder reveals her niece drawing at the coffee table, just as she left her ten minutes ago.

Olivia, now six, came into her care three years ago. Her sister and husband had died in a car crash while their toddler miraculously survived. It had been a huge shock when she learned she had been appointed the sole guardian of the strawberry-blonde girl she had only met a handful of times.

Ten years her senior, she had never been close to Laura and her sister had always mocked Donna's aspirations to become an actress. A dream she had left behind immediately on that fateful day that made her an instant parent.

She moved from the Theater District to The Bronx because her overpriced shoebox apartment wasn't suitable for a child. Not that the cupboard they live in now is much bigger. They share one bedroom and their shower is in a closet. But at least it is cheaper. Although it is still a struggle to make ends meet. She does the billing for a dental care chain and cleans an elementary school at night.

Olivia's preschool had nudged Donna to enroll the little one into Notre Dame Academy on a scholarship. She hated the fact that her niece was chosen solely based on her poverty factor by people that are using her as tax deductible by playing the good Samaritan. But beggars can't be choosers and this is the best start in education Olivia can have. An education that despite the financial aid, still costs an arm and a leg. It's scraping the bottom of her bank account and credit cards each month to pay her part of the tuition fee. Her credit card is at its limit and she's falling behind on the contribution. She received several reminders already.

"Please Donna, I'm so done with all his expensive useless gifts. Who gives a pasta maker to his team when he expects them to put in 80+ hours a week, thus robbing them of any form of personal life?"

"So this is just for you really?" Donna fills a glass with fruit juice, placing it in front of her six-year-old, together with the cucumber. She drops a quick kiss on her head but Olivia is completely engrossed in the map she's drawing. Her latest obsession is subway maps for her imaginary island.

"Think of it as a win-win situation for both of us." Rachel bites her lip when she utters the words.

Donna scrunches her nose, a frown across her forehead and she starts pacing. It's not helping that within five steps she's been up and down her entire apartment. "Hypothetically, how would this work?"

Rachel can't quite suppress her squeal on the other end of the line.

"He's made a list of everyone that needs a present with the desired amount and some notes on their likes and dislikes. It'll be easy peasy. Think of all the nice things you can buy for Christmas."

Donna's mind is already all over the place. Olivia needs a warm winter coat. And perhaps after all her outstanding expenses paid off, there would be a bit left to buy a turkey or a ham with all the sides and the gravy and a yule log or Bombe Alaska. Olivia has to stop and look into the window of Balenciaga Bakery every day. She's practically drooling by the time Donna pulls her along. What a surprise it would be if she could put the log in front of her niece on Christmas day.

"And how am I going to pay for all of it?" Donna shakes herself out of her reverie. "There's no way I can pay for this upfront."

"It comes with Harvey's platinum credit card."

Donna's eyes are like saucers now. She lets out a low whistle.

"You are thinking about that Gucci scarf we saw the other day, aren't you?" Rachel calls her out.

"Actually, that Hermès handbag. The one with the crocodile skin."

"Well—" Rachel starts but Donna cuts her off.

She hears an "Oh coconuts" from her niece and that can only mean trouble.

"Gotta go, Liv emergency. There is juice dripping from table to floor."

"I'll bring by—" Rachel says but the line is already dead.

…

The door is already open when Rachel arrives at Donna's apartment after hauling herself up three flights of stairs.

Donna is typing frantically on her laptop at the kitchen table. Rachel plops down on the couch, catching her breath.

"I really should exercise more," she mutters.

"If only you didn't have a boss that robs you of a social life."

"He's not that bad. I'm learning a lot."

"Ah yes." Donna closes her laptop. "A case with the almighty Harvey Specter is your law school." She shuffles to her cupboard and pulls out two glasses. "Instead of, you know, actual law school."

Pouring them both a Merlot, Donna lowers herself next to her friend on the couch.

"Is he acknowledging your existence again or is he still crushing hard on your boyfriend?"

Rachel purses her lips. If only she didn't share everything with her best friend sometimes.

"Mike's eidetic memory is hard to compete with every now and then, but I really enjoy working on this case together. To witness Mike and Harvey in action is a privilege none of my classmates get."

Donna quietly sips her drink. She glances over to the bedroom. The door is slightly ajar and she can see Olivia's curls peeking out from underneath the duvet. She is sound asleep.

"Anyway, I have the answer to all your problems right here."

Rachel waves a notebook in the air. It isn't until she produces an Amex platinum card that the penny drops for Donna.

She snatches the book out of Rachel's hands and flips through the pages.

"He's been pretty thorough," she remarks, reading some of the notes behind the names. "I thought you said he usually orders everyone the same thing?"

"He does. His family got a pasta maker too."

"Yikes." Donna scrunches up her nose.

"You see why he needs your help? The man is an awful gift giver."

"But why now? Did he suddenly grow a heart?"

"Actually," Rachel's tone spikes Donna's interest, "I heard through the grapevine that he is spending Christmas with his family for the first time in years. Can't give everyone the same gift if you are there to see them open it."

Donna snorts. "By grapevine you mean Mike."

"I have my sources." Rachel takes a big swig of her wine.

"Why does everyone have extensive notes so I can find them something personal but his mother just says gift card? Not even what kind."

Rachel scoots closer and whispers in hushed tones, "Apparently he hasn't spoken to his mother in years."

Donna raises her eyebrow. "You do know no one else is here right?"

Rachel just giggles in response.

"Right, no more wine for you, missy."

Donna grabs the bottle of Merlot and after putting the cork back in, she quickly stores it in her cupboard.

"He does have a painting in his office that has been made by his mother. Which explains why a man of his stature has that goofy canvas of a duck and a doll on display."

"Great." Donna rolls her eyes. "So you thought it was a good idea to pawn off your supercilious boss with mommy issues to me." She tosses the notebook in a corner and smacks Rachel's thigh because she just keeps snickering. Then she gives in and collapses into a fit of giggles as well.

…

Donna: Hi, I'm the gift fairy.

Donna: I just want to

Three dots appear and before she can finish her own message, a grumpy one is delivered.

Harvey: Was the information you received not enough?

Donna: Lily Specter. It doesn't have the same detailed information for her as the others.

Harvey: Any gift card will do. Now was that all? I doubt the judge will accept texting the gift fairy as a plausible excuse for being late in court.

Donna: Break a leg! Hope you win *fingers crossed emoji*

Right after she sends it, Donna tosses her phone in the corner of the couch. Break a leg? It's court, not Broadway.

She spends the next half hour coming up with better replies. Concluding that any reply would have been better than the one she sent. But nothing can be done about that now. She will just have to blow Mr. Uppity Specter away with her gift-picking skills.

…

"You look pretty, Aunt Donna!" Olivia's eyes twinkle with delight as her aunt twirls around upon her request.

"Have you brushed your teeth?"

Olivia nods.

"Cleaned behind your ears, between your wiggly toes, and especially your klatherbaboombam?"

Olivia's laughter fills the air. "You are such a silly, Aunt Donna."

Donna takes Olivia's hand. Together they knock on Mrs. Cunningham's door across their own.

"There is my favorite licorice-eating girl." Mrs. Cunningham swings the door open with a big smile.

"I'm the only girl in the building that eats licorice," Olivia pipes up.

"Well, all the more for you to eat isn't there then?" Mrs. Cunningham wiggles her eyebrows at her.

"She's brushed her teeth already so no candy tonight." Donna's voice is stern.

Olivia and Mrs. Cunningham immediately start pouting but Donna wisely ignores them. She knows they are two peas in a pod.

"I'll pick her up first thing tomorrow morning."

Mrs. Cunningham waves away Donna's words. "You know I enjoy every minute with this bubba. You sleep in, read a book, do your laundry. The two of us will have a jolly good time."

"Okay, give me a hug, little snuggle bug."

Olivia wraps her arms around Donna's legs. Her heat radiates through her flannel pajamas and Donna inhales the strawberry scent of her first grader as she kisses the top of her head.

Donna feels like her heart is exposed watching her little one disappear into their neighbor's apartment with her stuffed sheep underneath her arm, chattering away to the old lady. She really lucked out with Olivia.

Hearing Mrs. Cunningham whisper something about licorice breakfast just before she closes the door, Donna shakes her head and heads down the stairs as fast as her six-year-old Jimmy Choo's can carry her.

…

Harvey orders a Macallan 18 after Mike leaves the bar. He's annoyed they still haven't found a solution for this case yet. Nursing his drink, he's checking out the women in the room. None of them can hold his attention.

He's staring at a woman sitting at a table behind the bar. There is something about her. Not her looks but the way she carries herself, with a certain air. He's debating to go over when a redhead appears in his peripheral vision.

"I would go around her with a wide berth. That woman is bad news."

Harvey looks up. "I'm sorry do we—"

"Know each other? Not yet but today's your lucky day."

"Why is that?"

"Because it's the day you get to meet Donna."

"And let me guess. You're Donna."

"Oh, you have no idea how Donna I am."

"Well, Donna, I'm Harvey—

"Harvey Specter. You really think I'd be talking to you if I didn't know who you were?"

"And how exactly do you know about me?"

"I know about everybody. What I don't know is why you can have any woman in this bar and you decide to go for her?"

"Because she's not looking away when I look in her direction. She's not looking at me at all which…"

"Makes it a challenge. And means she won't be clingy the next morning."

"You're not just a pretty face, are you?"

"No, I'm not."

Donna shuffles closer as there is a roar from the large group by the window.

"You don't know this about me yet, but I know people... usually better than they know themselves. And the same way I know you are a good person, I can tell you that woman is rotten to the core."

"She's right, mate." Jay the bartender says as he collects Harvey's empty glass.

"So maybe you should buy me a drink, and we can continue this conversation in the corner."

Harvey doesn't hesitate. "Jay a—" He looks at Donna.

"Red, Merlot."

"A glass of Merlot, please. We'll be over there." He gestures to a corner seat.

"Okay, enough about me. Let's talk about you," Harvey says as he sits down.

"Ooh, my favorite subject." Donna bobs her head in a sassy manner.

"You know what I think?"

"Hmm?"

"I think your favorite subject didn't come up to me just to warn me about that woman. You want something."

"I sure do."

"And I think I might be ready to give it to you."

Donna leans closer and whispers. "It's not sеx."

"Then never mind."

Donna chuckles. "Wow, you're gonna be that honest about it."

"Saves time."

"Well, in that case, I want to know if you want red wrapping paper with green bows or green wrapping paper with red bows."

Understanding dawns on Harvey's face.

"You're the gift professional."

He's mortified enough to not notice how Donna winces at the word professional.

"If I had known you work for me I would never—"

Donna looks skeptical. "It's not what I heard."

She immediately clamps her mouth shut, her eyes closing briefly, cursing inwardly for her directness.

Harvey arches one eyebrow and then shrugs.

"I suppose you are right. But I really need this gift thing to be perfect so don't hold it against me."

His voice is so sincere that Donna stumbles over her words to reassure him.

"Of course, I will, I promise, it'll be— You can count on me, Sir."

Harvey chuckles. "Skip the Sir please."

"Yes, Sir."

Donna giggles softly and Harvey suddenly wishes he could listen to that sound all night.

"Excuse me for a second." Donna gets up and heads for the bathroom.

Harvey studies her as her hips slowly sway out of his sight.

He can't quite place her. What makes her intriguing. Her dress is cute but nothing special. Her Hermès handbag is from several seasons ago. How does he know? Jessica had the same one but it's long been replaced. His shoe knowledge isn't extensive enough to judge them beyond the fact that they are Jimmy Choo's.

He is sorry she turned out to be the gift fairy though. The employee status is only temporary but she is a friend of Rachel's and he really doesn't want to suffer her wrath until the end of times. And he is certain she will if he makes Donna one of his conquests. But damn she is beautiful.

"What brought you here tonight, Donna?" Harvey inquires when Donna sits down again.

"You."

When Harvey's face is a question mark she elaborates.

"I told you. I know people. I'm good at reading them. Meeting you helps me pick out gifts for your relatives and acquaintances."

"You do this with all your clients?"

"Yes." Fingers crossed she sounds convincing enough, Donna takes a big gulp of her Merlot.

"We might share some clients. What is the biggest name in your rolodex?" Harvey ponders.

Donna splutters and only just manages to avoid spraying her wine in Harvey's face.

"Rolodex? What is this, the nineties?"

"You're avoiding the question, Miss Paulsen." Suddenly his eyes grow wide. "Or is it Mrs. Paulsen?"

"That makes me feel about a hundred. Donna is fine and I can't share any client information with you. My clients expect me to be discreet about it."

Donna is crossing her fingers under the table for all the lies she keeps telling.

"Hmm." Harvey frowns. "You know, I looked you up and no website came up for Live For The Present."

All the color recedes from Donna's cheeks. In a split second, she decides whether to come clean or keep up the charade.

"It's to keep it exclusive. With just word of mouth, my clients feel they are part of a select few."

Harvey doesn't look very impressed.

"Which of course they actually are," Donna hastily adds. I will give my all to them, which is why I only take on one client at the time."

Harvey seems to mull over her words and Donna takes two big gulps of her wine before she quickly exits the booth.

"I have somewhere to be. It was good to meet you Mr. Specter. It'll go a long way towards making this gifting season a success for both of us."

Before Harvey can even get up, she disappears in the crowd, her out-of-season Hermès handbag swaying on her arm.

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