Author's Note: I know this is a little late for Christmas, but I wasn't inspired until Suits came back in January and then no resolution to Harvey and Donna so far. So this is just something I was thinking pondering how they will portray Mitchell or if they portray Mitchell in Season 6. Summer can't come fast enough. Review and see if you like the first 3 chapters. Thanks - Carebearmaxi

It Doesn't Have To Be That Way

"Merry Christmas, Mr. Specter," Gretchen said as she was leaving the office on Christmas Eve. It was only 1:00 pm and as was customary Pearson Specter Litt let their employees leave early on Christmas Eve so they could have extra time to share with their loved ones during the special time of year.

"Merry Christmas, Gretchen. Thank you," Harvey responded. Earlier he had treated his secretary to a very nice gift with a nicely handwritten "thank you" from Harvey himself. She had been a godsend since Donna had moved to Louis' desk. It was very unusual for Harvey to have to shop for and write to his own secretary. He had been so used to Donna just taking liberties with his corporate card and knowing that he would never have guessed what she had wanted. Not realizing that all she ever wanted was for him to tell her he loved her and "how" he loved her.

That was what so stupid for him. Now just when had finally realized how he loved Donna and how long he had been in love with her, she had found someone else who could love her as she deserved. Because she did deserved to be loved by someone wholly and completely as Harvey now understood that was how she had always loved him.

"Louis, it's beautiful. You didn't really have to get me anything. Dinner and lunch and tickets to the New York Symphony's playing of the Messiah was a great gift," Donna had said as she carefully held the Pandora charm bracelet Louis had given to her as a more personal thank you for her coming to work for him and always doing her best for him and for helping him through this difficult year with Sheila leaving him, his heart attack, and taking over for Norma after her death.

"Of course, I did, Donna. You know I can never thank you enough for coming to work for me and being my friend and not going back to Harvey," Louis said. "Let me clasp it on for you and I can point out all the little charms and how I think they tell your story."

"No, Louis, I can do it myself," Donna said hastily withdrawing her hand from Louis' grasp. She had spotted Harvey coming down the hall and she did not want him to get the wrong idea. After all, Harvey knew but Louis did not know about Mitchell. The last thing she needed before leaving for the Christmas holiday was to have questions thrown at her from Harvey regarding her love life and its latest developments.

"Well, Merry Christmas, Donna," Louis said coming around her desk and hugging her. She squeezed Louis in a grateful way and wished him a Happy Hanukkah as well as Merry Christmas.

"Is Esther coming into town to see you?" Donna asked as she spotted Harvey walking back to his office. They all knew that Harvey took advantage of yet another woman seeking a little unexpected but welcomed affection except that Harvey did his usual "we had a moment and that's it" number on her and caused Esther to cry and Louis another reason to resent Harvey. Donna was jealous, yes, but she herself had made the decision to move on and now she had a nice guy named Mitchell.

"No, she's spending it with her children. I'm going to Rochester to see my parents. Last night of Hanukkah is coming up, so we'll be together for that," Louis said.

"Merry Christmas, Louis. Happy Hanukkah also," Donna repeated giving Louis a peck on his cheek. It was at that moment that Harvey alighted from the elevator and spotted her giving Louis a Christmas peck. She caught his eye and his smirky smile.

What's all that for? How many years did we purposefully avoid touching each other in fear of...what? Well I did always have my rule. He'll never know how close I came to breaking it all these last years-for him-just for him. I always feel so alone this time of year. I'm sure he must be feeling alone as well since I came to work for Louis. The panic attacks that he has experienced are not fun either. However, I can't call him on any of that as our reconciliation is still too raw.