So I might ever so slowly actually post 14 chapters/one-shots to finish this thing. I was recently inspired by Mother's Day of all things to post story number 8. Slightly AU. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Harvey spends the day with Donna's daughter.

They don't see each other on weekends anymore. Not that they ever made it a habit before, but the hours they spend in each other's company now exist almost exclusively on the fiftieth floor of Pearson Specter Litt. Which is why receiving a phone call from her in the middle of the afternoon on a Sunday is somewhat of an anomaly.

"Donna?" he says by way of greeting.

"Are you home?"

"Yeah. I'm running late for a meeting, why?"

He hears her pause on the other end of the line.

"It's okay, never mind."

He stops dead in his tracks.

"What's wrong? Donna?"

"I'm, uh. Wow, this feels weird to say aloud, but my father just had a heart attack."

"Shit, Donna. I'm sorry, is he going to be okay?" Are you okay?"

She takes an uneven breath. Harvey can tell that she's holding back tears.

"What can I do?" he implores.

"I hate to ask –"

"Ask."

"Would you mind taking Sophie for a few hours? I really don't want her to have to be at the hospital. My mom's a wreck, my sister is completely freaking out, they keep mumbling about health insurance or knowing my family, their lack there-of."

"Of course I can take her," he insists. "Where are you?"

"Your hallway."

He lunges for the door, opening it to find Donna and her daughter on the other side. Donna has Sophie's hand in a death grip, her face flushed, eyes brimming with unshed tears. She offers him a shaky smile that doesn't reach her eyes.

"Sorry to spring this on you."

Harvey waves her off, opening the door wider so the two can step inside.

"Normally I would just ask Mike and Rachel but they're still on their honeymoon for another week. But you know that. Anyway."

Donna bends down so that she is at eye level with her daughter. She places a firm kiss on her cheek and runs a hand through her ponytail, reluctant to leave her behind. Harvey averts his eyes, feeling as if he is intruding on a private moment.

"You behave for Uncle Harvey, okay honey?"

He tries not to react to Donna's affectionate use of the word uncle.

"I will," Sophie assures her.

Donna stands back to her full height and briefly touches his shoulder. "Thank you for doing this. I'm heading to the hospital now, I'll be back tonight."

"Think nothing of it, Donna."

She leans in close to whisper in his ear. "Don't worry, she's very low maintenance."

"Just like her mother," he jibes.

He's rewarded with a genuine, albeit brief smile before Donna rushes back out his front door, a hurried goodbye on her lips.

Harvey has nephews, yes, but his brother's children might as well be causal acquaintances for all the time he's spent with them. He can talk to (read: manipulate) almost anyone, but children continue to be elusive to him.

Sophie sits quietly in the middle of his couch, legs dangling over the edge, her wide eyes fixed on the TV in front of her. She's barely uttered a word in the forty-six minutes she's been here. And yes, he has been counting.

Should he be letting her watch TV? Shouldn't she be reading or playing with toys or some imaginary friend? Jesus, he's clueless when it comes to kids. Especially girls. Hell, most days he still can't figure her mother out.

Harvey gestures to the TV. "You like Disney movies?"

He almost rolls his eyes at how pathetic he sounds.

Sophie nods emphatically. "Mum doesn't let me watch a lot of them."

"No?"

"She says there are too many damsels in distress."

Harvey laughs because it sounds exactly like the kind of wisdom Donna would impart to her daughter. "Do you know even what that means?"

If a seven year old could give him a withering glare he thinks Sophie just may have.

"I know a lot of things."

Harvey smirks. "Well, have you ever heard the phrase, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree?"

But Sophie ignores him, The Little Mermaid pulling her focus again.

"Do you want to watch another one?" Harvey asks after a very short eighty minutes. Damn Disney.

"No."

"Okay."

His eyes search frantically around the room, looking for anything that could possibly occupy a kid for a few hours. He comes up short of course, this condo was built for a bachelor, and Sophie is probably the first kid ever to set foot inside. Harvey quickly dismisses the significance.

"I'm kinda hungry."

Great, he can work with that.

"What do you feel like?"

"Umm…"

Harvey then remembers that all he has in his kitchen is scotch, bottled water and leftover take out. Shit.

"We could go somewhere and eat," he suggests.

Sophie seems to regard him warily.

"You like milkshakes?"

"Yeah…"

Harvey stands and gestures for Sophie to do the same. "Well come on, then."

Sophie shrugs and follows him to the door.

Harvey takes her to the diner and it's only the third, maybe fourth time he's stepped foot inside, but he's only ever been here with a Paulsen woman. Oddly enough, the diner is packed with people, large groups gathered around too-small tables, patrons squashed up against one another at the counter.

A waitress greets them at the entrance. She looks apologetic.

"Do you have a reservation?"

"A reservation?"

"I'm sorry sir, we can only do takeaway orders right now. Father's Day is always busy for us."

He'd forgotten. It had been so many years since he had to remember.
Harvey glances down at Sophie and feels a sudden surge of responsibility to make sure she doesn't have such a lousy day.

He feels Sophie reach up and take his hand.

"This was mommy's favourite place to eat."

Sophie flashes her big, sad eyes and Harvey watches as the waitress completely crumbles.

"Sorry sweetheart, we'll just have to come back tomorrow," he says, playing along.

"Wait, table nine is just paying their check now. They should only be a few minutes, I think we can squeeze you in before the dinner rush." The waitress smiles sympathetically before she leaves to attend to the table.

Harvey extends his hand toward Sophie for a low five. She slaps it excitedly.

Once they are seated, Harvey leans forward to whisper conspiratorially, "Good thinking, kid."

Sophie beams with pride.

"Playing the dead mommy card though, little dark don't you think?"

"Mom would have done the same thing."

Harvey picks up a menu, smiling. "Yeah, she would have."

They sit in silence for a few moments, perusing their menus. Harvey notes that Sophie has the exact same expression as her mother when she's trying to make a decision , gets the same little knot in her brow.

She's more reserved than Donna, but she's hardly shy – a precocious little seven year old with the same mischievous smile. Harvey doesn't know her though, at least not outside of her mother. Today may even be the first time since she was a newborn that he's spent more than thirty full minutes with her. He feels guilty never having made the effort, even though it was out of self-preservation.

"Do you know what you want?"

"Cheese fries and a large strawberry milkshake."

"Nice choice."

The same waitress from before reaches their table.

"What will you be having hon?" she asks Sophie.

"Two cheese fries and two strawberry milkshakes please."

The waitress glances over at Harvey. He hands her their menus. "I guess that's what we're having."

His phone buzzes and he retrieves it from his pocket. Donna's name flashes on the caller ID.

"Your mom's calling me," he tells Sophie. "Hey, how is everything?" he answers.

"We haven't been in to see him yet, we're still waiting on news, good or bad."

"He'll be alright Donna, he's resilient."

"He's stubborn," Donna correct with a breathy laugh.

"He is that."

"How is she?"

"I'm not sure, she climbed out of the window, got on some guy's motorcycle. I heard something about a rave in Brooklyn, she wasn't very forthcoming."

Sophie laughs from across the table.

"Harvey Reginald Specter…"

"She's good. Aren't you Soph?"

Harvey holds the phone out for Sophie. "We having milkshakes, Mom!" she shouts into the phone.

Harvey brings it back to his ear. "You better not be loading my kid with sugar, Harvey."

"Wouldn't dream of it, Donna. I've seen what you're like on a sugar high."

"I'll call you when I know more," she promises.

"Alright, I'll talk to you soon."

By the time he hangs up the phone, their food arrives promptly on the table.

"Jesus kid, I think they really felt sorry for us."

"Is grandpa okay?" Sophie asks, worrying her lip between her teeth.

"They're still waiting to hear from the doctors. But they should know more soon. Your mom said she'd call."

Sophie nods and begins picking at her cheese fries.

"Is that what you were doing today, having Father's Day lunch?"

"Yep. It was our first time there."

"What do you normally do for Father's Day?" he casually asks.

Sophie's face lights up, "Me and Mom get a bunch of movies and watch them for hours and we stay in our pjs all day."

"So why the change of plans?"

Sophie shrugs. "I think mom felt bad that I don't see grandma and grandpa much."

Harvey nods, absorbing the information. He's always known Donna's relationship with her parents is tumultuous at times. Admittedly, Harvey has never been her father's biggest fan, but he understands the need for family. Well, for most people anyway.

"Where's your dad?" Sophie inquires.

Harvey considers telling a white lie, but he feels compelled to be honest with the girl. Funny how she has that effect on him.

"He passed away."

Sophie frowns. "When?"

"Over ten years ago."

"Do you miss him?"

"Sometimes, yeah."

Sophie stares intently into her milkshake, slowly stirring it. "My dad isn't around either," she says glumly.

Harvey is acutely aware of the fact. His fists clench under the table, what he wouldn't give to throw one decent punch at that pathetic man.

"You've got your mom though, your Aunt Rachel, your Uncle Mike," he reassures her.

"And Uncle Louis."

"Don't remind me," Harvey mumbles.

Sophie giggles. "Mom says you and Uncle Louis don't get along."

"We have our moments, but yeah, she's right for the most part."

"Did you know my dad?" she suddenly asks, putting him on the spot.

"I met him years ago. Once. But I didn't know him."

"Not like you know mom."

Harvey smiles fondly. "No, not like I know your mom."

Sophie goes back to happily eating her fries and Harvey is relieved that she has dropped the subject of fathers. It's already bizarre enough that he's spending Father's Day with somebody else's daughter.

"What do we do next?" Sophie asks after they finish paying the bill.

Harvey thinks for a moment. "Your mom ever teach you to play sports?"

"Remember, keep your hands together and rest the bat on your shoulder."

Sophie nods resolutely, her helmet almost slipping down past her eyes. Harvey jogs over to her side and adjusts the helmet.

"It's too big."

"You're too small. Now you've got this, just like we practised."

Harvey steps out of the batting cage and gives Sophie a thumbs up. She smiles nervously, then swivels her head, focusing in front.

He stands back, arms folded, waiting for the first ball. It's released slowly, ideal for a first time hitter. Sophie swings and narrowly misses the ball.

"Don't worry about it Soph, you'll get the next one."

Another ball shoots out. Sophie swings again, harder this time, her bat connecting with the ball. It flies out a few metres in front. Harvey whistles.

Sophie rips off her helmet, grinning triumphantly.

"I hit it! I hit it!"

Harvey runs into the cage, ignoring the rules. He snatches her helmet and plants it back on her head. He points to the small scar hidden in his hairline. "Helmet on, remember? Or you'll get hit like I did."

"Yes, Uncle Harvey," she dutifully replies.

Harvey playfully rolls his eyes at her tone of voice. He pats Sophie on the back.

"Go on then, champ," he teases.

She ends up hitting twenty out of twenty five balls. Harvey is oddly proud.

It's a little after ten when he hears a soft knock on his front door. He pauses the movie and hoists his weary body off the couch. He opens the door and Donna stands in front of him, a frown on her face, hair piled into a bun on top of her head. She still looks beautiful, even when exhausted. She tries to smile when she sees him, mentally preparing the brave face she has no doubt been wearing all day.

Harvey isn't fooled. He bridges the gap between them and gathers her into his arms. Her body folds into his, her head resting perfectly in the crook of his neck. He feels her tense, if only for a moment, before she relaxes entirely, arms wrapping around him in return. Physical contact is a rare, if not unheard of occurrence in their relationship, but holding her like this suddenly feels like the most natural thing in the world. No wonder he's been avoiding it for all these years.

"Sorry to pile this on you," Donna mumbles into his shoulder.

"You've been dealing with my shit for how many years now?"

She chuckles, even through her tears.

"You're right. I've been owed this for a while."

"Forever, probably."

Harvey feels her start to pull away and he releases the hold he has on her waist.

"How's your dad?"

Donna sweeps her hand across her cheek. "He's going to be on observation for the next few days, but he'll be okay as long as he alters his diet, starts exercising. You know, all the boring things we all avoid doing until it's too late to make a difference."

He can detect the bitterness in her voice, but chooses to let her words lie.

"Where's Sophie?"

Harvey puts a finger to his lips and beckons Donna to follow him into the living room where Sophie sleeps peacefully, stretched out across Harvey's couch, her red hair fanning out in all directions.

He sees Donna melt at the sight and it does strange things to his insides.

Donna's eyes snap to the TV. She looks at him incredulously.

"You let her watch Clueless?"

"She said it was her favourite movie."

"It's my favourite movie and she knows I'm not letting her watch it until she's older."

"She fell asleep ten minutes in, like I knew she would."

"Hold on, you have it on Blu-ray?"

"Is that really important?"

Harvey and Donna wander over to the kitchen, allowing Sophie to sleep.

"Thanks for today. I know your plans probably didn't include babysitting my seven year old."

"She's…really great, Donna."

Donna blushes. "She is isn't she? I'm damned lucky."

"Please, she's like that because of you."

For once in her life, Donna actually looks embarrassed to receive a compliment.

"It hasn't been easy by myself."

"You'd never know it," he says. "And you don't have to, uh, keep doing it all by yourself."

Donna snorts. "I don't? Did Mitchell suddenly re-materialize and decide to become a real parent?"

"I don't mean that asshole," he quickly corrects. "I can help you out. Give you more paid vacations, less late nights. I can even spend more time with Sophie, take her to a baseball game or something. She's actually got a decent swing."

Donna gapes at him.

Harvey narrows his eyes. "Is it so shocking that I might want to spend time with your kid?"

"Well frankly, yes."

"Jeez, Donna, it's nice to know how little you think of me."

"Not what I meant, Harvey. We both know you're not exactly the paternal type. And I've had a kid for a while now, this is the first I've heard of you wanting to get to know her."

Harvey stares blankly at her. "When did this escalate into an argument?"

Donna softens. "It's been a long day, Harvey."

His eye catches the sleeping girl on his couch. "She's important to you, you're important to me."

"Okay…"

"I couldn't before," he confesses. "Not so soon after we –"

"I get it," she cuts him off.

"I'm not saying we have to try again…"

Her gaze sharpens. "Do you want to?"

"That's not what today was about. I wasn't trying to score points."

"I know you're not like that, Harvey."

Harvey steps toward her again, hand falling to the curve of her hip. He kisses her temple.

"Just think about it."

He helps Donna rouse her daughter from sleep, follows the two of them to the door, feet treading lightly so not to wake Sophie. Donna carries her sleeping daughter in her arms and mouths, goodnight .

He waves goodbye with just the inkling of a smile on his face, because he is finally damn ready.