While Harvey had been away on a business trip for two days, Donna had made great progress on all her tasks — uninterrupted by the lawyer — and was enjoying having less to do. So, she decided to take the afternoon off and meet a friend for lunch. As she turned off her computer and grabbed her bag, the redhead smiled, thinking about her friend. Jade had studied theater at Yale with Donna, and although the two had stayed in touch and met occasionally after graduation, they had somewhat lost contact in recent years due to their busy schedules. Jade had worked at a prestigious theater in Atlanta for years, but she had just landed a job in New York and was eager to reconnect with Donna since the redhead was in the city. Meanwhile, Donna was still working for Harvey, now at Pearson Hardman, after agreeing to follow him to Jessica's firm. After sending a message to let her know she was leaving work, Donna received a reply that Jade was almost there as the secretary hurried into the café where they had arranged to meet, sitting at a table in the back, scrolling through her phone. Minutes later, she quickly looked up when she heard the little brunette exclaim.
«Oh my god!»
«Jade! It's been so long»
«Urgh, I've missed you»
«Me too»
As she hugged her friend, Donna caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of her eye — the hand not wrapped around her resting on a stroller — as the redhead gasped, pulling away.
«You have a baby?»
«Surprise»
«Jade, this is — congratulations!»
«Thank you»
«Is it okay if he's here? I couldn't find a babysitter»
«Of course, not a problem at all. A little boy, then?»
«Yes. Donna, let me introduce you to Henry. Baby, this is Donna, mommy's friend»
«He's so adorable — How old is he?»
«He turned six months last week»
«Gosh, look at him. So cute»
«Yeah»
For a few more seconds, they both watched the calm baby before sitting down and ordering from the waiter, and once they were alone again, Donna smiled broadly and spoke.
«I'm so happy to see you! I want to hear everything, the last time we met was, what... two years ago?»
«Yeah, two years. Gosh, time flies so fast»
«Tell me about it. So, how are you doing?»
«I'm doing well. As you know, I was working at the Fox Theatre until recently, and I really loved Georgia, but I missed the vibe of New York. So, without much conviction, I started looking at job offers here. Then I saw this listing for a stage manager position on Broadway, and I thought, Okay, this is a sign. I applied, and two weeks later, I got a positive response. So, I dropped everything in Atlanta — my job, my friends, my life — and came here to New York»
«And you've been here long?»
«Just a week, but I planned ahead, so I'm pretty much settled in. The only thing left is to find a daycare for Henry, and then everything will be good. By the way, do you have a daycare recommendation?»
As the brunette looked at her with sincerity, an expectant look in her eyes, Donna froze. She was used to knowing everything about everything, but this… this was new. Babies were a whole unfamiliar world to her. So after shaking her head slightly, the brunette continued in her usual cheerful tone.
«It's fine. I'll do some research online. What about you?»
«Oh, well, the last time we saw each other, I was working at the DA's office as a legal secretary. I stayed there for a few more months before switching to Pearson Hardman, a law firm here in Manhattan»
«That's great. But why did you switch? I thought you liked your job. I mean, I remember you had a good relationship with your sexy boss, what was his name again?»
«Harvey»
«Yeah, Harvey. What about him?»
«Well, we found out some things about Harvey's boss, and I didn't want to work for him anymore. So, when I started getting a bad vibe, I began applying everywhere — and I got some positive responses. But then Harvey left the DA's office too and asked me to follow him, so I did. Now, we're both at Pearson Hardman»
«So still with Harvey?» smirked the woman.
«Still with Harvey, yep»
«What about the rest? Love life?»
«Urgh» sighed Donna.
«That bad?»
«Well, I was with this guy — Mark. He was a big shot businessman, well-off, pretty hot, and we got along really well. For a moment, I thought he was the one. Deep down, I imagined everything with him, but then he dumped me at a restaurant while we were celebrating our six-month anniversary»
«What a jerk»
«No, actually, it was my fault. We were busy celebrating, and I was annoyed because Harvey had planned to leave the firm and take me with him without even consulting me, so I decided to talk to Mark about it. But the second he heard Harvey's name, he took it the wrong way and didn't want to discuss it while we were celebrating. When I told him I needed to talk about it because it was a potentially life-changing move, he understood that I was considering following Harvey — again. Then it just exploded. He said he saw Harvey as the silent partner in our relationship, and when he asked me to promise I wouldn't follow Harvey, no matter where he went, I couldn't say no... and that's how it ended»
«Oh…»
«Yeah, I know. Pathetic, right?»
«No it's not»
«Honestly, I get Mark, and I don't hold it against him»
«What about Harvey?»
«What about him?»
«Your ex-boyfriend dumped you because he felt like Harvey was the silent partner in your relationship, and you just told me that you couldn't say no to him. Today, you two are still working together, right? How is everything going?»
«Nothing happened, romantically, I mean. We're best friends, the most important people in each other's lives. I'd do anything for him, and he'd do anything for me, and that's enough for us»
«You've never tried for more?»
«Well, it's complicated. Harvey's kind, adorable, everything you'd want, but commitment and long-term relationships are not his thing. Proof: when we stopped working together, he showed up at my place, we spent the night together, and the next morning, he was gone without a word. And before I even had time to process it, he called and asked me to come work for him again. Once again, he preferred me as his best friend and secretary rather than a life partner. Anyway, that's my life now. But enough about me — a baby, Jade?»
«It's crazy, right?»
«Yeah, I mean, the last time I saw you, I didn't even know you were seeing someone, let alone thinking about having a baby»
«Oh... um, there's no one»
«What?»
At the sight of her friend's smile, Jade gently caressed the baby's foot in the stroller as Donna looked a bit confused by her declaration, prompting Jade to explain further.
«I've wanted a child for years, but as you know, I broke up with Matthew a few months before I left for Atlanta, after six years together. And I don't know... I just had this deep feeling that it was my time to be a mom. I dated a few guys in Georgia, but I never really felt right with any of them. So, one day, I decided I was going to have a baby on my own. Sure, some people might say it's selfish to bring a child into the world without a partner, but I wanted to be a mom, I felt ready, and I knew I could handle it. Some couples are together and are still worse parents than I'd be on my own. I knew my child would never lack anything. I wanted to be a mom so badly, and I had so much love to give. So, I decided to have a baby by myself — and that's what I did»
«Wow, that's impressive»
«But I have no regrets, you know? I mean, of course, there are moments when he's sick and crying, and I wish there was someone by my side to help, but in the end, everything is just perfect. I'm so happy to be a mom»
«I can only imagine»
«What about you?»
«Me?»
«Yeah, don't you want kids? You used to, back in the day»
«Yeah, I mean, I want to experience motherhood someday… I just hope it won't be too late. It's just... I haven't found the one, so I can't really picture it yet»
«I get that, but — oh, he's awake»
Relieved not to have to continue the conversation, Donna watched as Jade gently lifted the baby out of the stroller and settled him on her lap, cuddling him. For a few minutes, the two friends resumed chatting about everything and nothing, reminiscing about their college days. Meanwhile, Donna's heart raced every time her gaze fell on the adorable little boy, who kept flashing smiles at her. As they finished eating, Jade looked at Donna with a warm smile.
«Do you want to hold him?»
«What? Oh, I don't want to — I mean, he doesn't know me»
«He's super social, don't worry»
As Jade got up, she walked around the table and placed the six-month-old baby into Donna's arms while the redhead swallowed hard as the little boy looked up at her with tender eyes, his tiny hand gently resting on her cheek. Seconds later, Donna chuckled, and Jade smiled warmly.
«Look at you, all natural. He totally adores you»
«Please, you just have an easy little boy»
«No, really, the way he's looking at you — he can tell you're a soft person»
«It's him who's soft — he's adorable, Jade. And he looks so much like you»
«Yeah, well, his hair's definitely all his dad»
«You know his dad?»
«No, well, I know what he looks like, but I've never actually met him»
«How did you manage that? I mean, if it's not too personal»
«Oh no, I'm fine with it. Well, I didn't want some random guy to have a fling with and end up pregnant. I wanted something more official, more regulated, you know? So, I went to an anonymous donor at a fertility clinic. I got access to things like his age, height, eye color, hair color, academic background, profession, and medical history. After I told them what I was looking for, I saw a few photos and chose the donor that way. It's a bit weird, but at least there were no surprises at the birth… well, fewer surprises, because you never know, right?»
«I guess»
«Then the usual procedure. IVF, ultrasounds, and nine months later, I had my beautiful baby»
«That's crazy»
«For real»
«And how was your pregnancy? Not too hard? That's the kind of thing that freaks me out» chuckled Donna.
«No, honestly, I've got to say I was lucky. Sure, you get the usual — nausea, back pain, swollen feet, and the birth is definitely not a walk in the park. But when they place your baby on your chest, you forget everything... It's just so overwhelming»
Jade's voice softened as she spoke, her eyes now fixed on Henry, her expression filled with pure, unspoken love as Donna sat back a little, absorbing every word, feeling both moved and awestruck by the depth of Jade's experience. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Donna watched the little boy, letting him grasp her finger and play with it while she couldn't help but feel a warmth spread through her chest as he looked up at her with those trusting, innocent eyes. The rest of the afternoon passed in light conversation, catching up on everything and nothing, while the baby stayed content in Donna's arms. When they finally decided to continue their chat outside, they strolled through the streets of Manhattan, the sounds of the city surrounding them. At one point, Jade asked if it would be alright for Donna to push the stroller so she could rest her arms. Without hesitation, Donna took hold of it, and as she did, she felt a rush of something unexpected — it was as if she had done this her whole life. She pushed the stroller with ease, her heart pounding faster, a strange mix of joy and longing settling deep within her. For a brief moment, she could picture it — walking through Central Park with a stroller, her own baby inside, maybe a little redhead, like her, looking up at her with the same eyes Henry had for Jade. A smile tugged at her lips as the thought swirled in her mind. She had wanted to be a mother for so long, it had always been a quiet, constant desire in the back of her heart, but over the years — especially since her breakup with Mark — she'd tried to bury it… Buried it deep, not wanting to face it. But now, with Henry in her arms and the image of her own child lingering in her mind, it was becoming harder to ignore. As the evening began to fall, the two friends said their goodbyes.
«I should go, he's tired»
«Of course, but we'll see each other again»
«Obviously, and soon I hope»
«We will»
«Great»
«Take care, Jade»
«You too, Donna»
Jade, still smiling warmly, pulled Donna into a tight hug before stepping back. The redhead glanced one last time at the stroller, her eyes landing on the little boy, cozily wrapped in his blanket, his tiny hand resting on its edge as she couldn't help but smile. There was something in that moment — the quiet bond between mother and child, that unspoken, pure love — that lingered in her heart. As she looked at Henry, a soft ache settled in her chest, and for a brief instant, the longing inside her felt almost overwhelming. The journey home was filled with hesitation and racing thoughts, Donna feeling utterly lost in her mind. When she got back to her apartment, she stepped into a hot shower, hoping it would clear her head, but the feeling of Henry in her arms wouldn't leave her. Realizing it was pointless to try and distract herself, she finished her shower, dried off, got dressed, and settled in front of the TV. As she flipped through the channels, a rerun of The Bachelor caught her eye, but her heart skipped a beat when Harvey's name flashed across the screen of her phone.
«Hey»
«Harvey, hey»
«I just wanted to let you know that I'm home and the meeting with Mr. Spark went well»
«That's good»
«Yeah, and for tomorrow, we should check in on Mr. DeLorenzi and the contract»
«Alright»
«Did you have time to contact the pharmaceutical firm?»
«Yes, you've got a meeting with the CEO on Tuesday»
«Great. So, did you survive without me?» chuckled Harvey.
«Well, actually, since you weren't here to distract me, I managed to get everything done and even went out to eat with a friend»
«Really?»
«Yeah, she has a baby. He was adorable»
«That's great — Oh, before I forget, I need to see Jessica about Louis. Can you remind me?»
«Sure»
For a split second, Donna almost considered sharing what was on her mind with him, but it felt like a sudden slap to the face when she realized — once again — Harvey was, and would always be, her colleague and friend. Nothing more, nothing less. For a few seconds, Donna continued the conversation with Harvey, but as soon as she hung up, she tried to refocus on the television. However, it was only Jade's words that kept echoing in her mind: I wanted to be a mom so badly, and I had so much love to give. So, I decided to have a baby by myself, and that's what I did. In that moment, a wave of jealousy swept over her — jealous that Jade had overcome something that terrified her, jealous that she had become a mother without worrying about anything else, jealous that such an innocent little being could love her like that. She was jealous, but above all, she was sad and frustrated. As Jade shared her journey, Donna realized she had stagnated all these years. With Mark, she had believed they could move forward, but quickly, she had been disillusioned. She could try to win him back, to pick up where they left off, to start the family she knew he also wanted — but deep down, she knew Mark wouldn't let go of the idea that she would have to choose between him and Harvey. She would never let go of Harvey, she knew that for sure, but she also knew she would never find the one as long as Harvey was in her life. But, in facing this reality, the real question that lingered in her mind was whether she was willing to give up her dream of being a mother too. As she tried to focus on the television, Donna found her eyes constantly drifting toward her laptop on the coffee table. No matter how hard she tried to resist the temptation, she couldn't ignore it, and in a split second, she was sitting up, the laptop open on her lap. She then took a deep breath, feeling the weight of what she was about to do, and with trembling hands, she began typing on the keyboard.
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