Chapter Text
The organization at the Specters was, how should we put it... military-like.
Between Columbia Law School for the twenty-year-old football-loving young man, preschool for the four-year-old girl obsessed with ballet, and daycare for the fourteen-month-old baby overflowing with love for her parents, the two adults had to be on top of everything. While their children's activities and schooling took up most of their time, they still had to squeeze in work, client meetings, and court cases — which was kind of… hard. But so far, the Specter condo was filled with love and fun as they fully managed… well, maybe not today. As the young man was deeply asleep, he grumbled when he felt something on his face. After a few seconds, as his eyes slowly opened, he saw his little sister looking at him with an intrigued expression, her tiny fingers poking his face.
« Hmm? »
« Miles, wake up »
« What? »
« I’m hungry »
« Where is mom? »
« She left with Isa »
It was at that moment that it clicked for the young man. He sat up in an instant, staring at his sister with wide eyes before quickly jumping out of bed and rushing to the kitchen, hearing the sound of small footsteps following him — Aida was also running right behind him. Barely into the large open space that was their living room, kitchen, and dining area, he rushed to the massive family calendar that Donna updated weekly to make sure everything ran smoothly. He scanned the day’s schedule — and realized things were bad.
May 14th
7:45 a.m : Dad’s business meeting (Rodric case)
8:00 a.m : Isa Daycare (Mom dropping her)
9:00 a.m : Aida Preschool (Miles dropping her)
9:15 a.m : Miles’ first class
14:30 p.m : End Daycare (Mom picking up)
15:00 p.m : End Preschool (Mom picking up)
16:45 p.m : End University
17:15 p.m : Football training Miles (Dad drop and pick)
Reading the detailed schedule his mom had written out, Miles realized he’d totally forgotten to wake up — and because of him, his sister was now as late as he probably was. Usually, it was their mom who handled drop-offs at daycare and preschool — sometimes with their dad, sometimes solo — while coordinating with him about who would do pickup in the evening. But today, with his dad off to an early meeting and his mom probably swamped with work, she must’ve decided to drop Isa off herself and let Miles handle Aida — maybe so she wouldn’t arrive too early at preschool or maybe so they could both sleep in a little and enjoy a quiet morning together. He didn’t remember even if she told him last night, but now, standing there in just his boxers and his little red-haired sister still in her pajamas beside him, he whispered.
« Hey Aida, what time is it? »
Immediately, he heard the soft patter of her feet on the floor as she padded over to the digital clock near the TV, her high-pitched voice echoed back while his gaze was still on the family planning.
« Eight… then two… and then four »
« Shit »
« You can’t say shit, Miles »
« I know, sorry — look, we’re both late, so we’ve really gotta hurry. Deal? »
« Deal »
Quickly, the two of them made their way to the girls’ area first, Miles silently thanked his mom for prepping everything in advance — Aida’s clothes, her hygiene stuff, and her little school bag — making his job way easier. While doing his best to make sure she was properly dressed and at least kind of presentable — knowing how particular Donna was about how her kids looked — he brought her back to his room. Seeing some toys and books next to the bed, he smiled when he realized that his mom had left some stuff there, just like she always did when she had to drop Aida in his bed early in the morning before leaving. Now with the little girl quietly sitting on his bed, playing with her dolls and making up little solo stories, Miles jumped into a quick shower, got dressed, then scooped her up in his arms as he grabbed a few muffins his mom had probably baked the night before, and with that, they were out the door.
« Hey? » muttered Miles .
« What? »
« Not a word to Mom about us being late this morning, huh? »
« Mommy always knows everything »
« Yeah, right » sighed Miles.
As the young man picked up the pace, his sister still perched on his hip, alternating between nibbling her muffin and chatting away, they finally reached the preschool gate — five minutes late as Miles was breathless, while Aida beamed, her eyes lighting up as she spotted her teacher.
« I’m really sorry we’re late — we lost track of time » panted the older sibling.
« No worries, Miles. How is she doing? »
« She’s great. She ate just before we came, and she slept well »
« Are you picking her up this afternoon? »
« No, my mom is »
« Alright, perfect — have a good day, Miles »
« Thank you, you too — and you, little princess »
« Bye bye, Miles. Love you! »
« Love you too »
After a few final hugs and kisses, Miles set Aida down, watching her for a brief moment as she toddled off toward her classroom, her tiny backpack bouncing behind her as he then took off at a run toward the nearest subway station, realizing he had just ten minutes to make it to his lecture hall. Thankfully, he managed to slip into the room just as the professor was closing the door as he sank into a seat in the sixth row, barely catching his breath in time for Federal Courts and the Federal System. Becoming a lawyer hadn’t always been obvious for him, but after witnessing his father in action in court, something clicked — he dove headfirst into his studies, determined to earn his place at Columbia. And now, while balancing law school with being present for Aida — and now Isa — Miles was nearing the end of his second year in the Juris Doctor program. He was the pride of his parents, and everyone around him knew: he was on track to become an incredible lawyer, just like his father. Well — if he kept everything on track.
There were about sixty of them in the lecture hall, and after countless mock trials, seminars, and legal clinics, the students had gotten to know each other pretty well. Miles, being naturally sociable, got along with just about everyone… Well, everyone except one person: Scott Preston — he couldn't stand him. Unlike Miles — though both of them were rich kids with powerful fathers — the young Specter kept his feet on the ground and treated everyone the same way as that couldn’t be said for Scott Preston, who looked down on everyone with arrogance and spite — even Miles. And while the teen usually didn’t give it much thought or let it get to him, it seemed like today, Scott had made it his personal mission to push every single one of his buttons… even if it meant crossing the line.
« Yo, Miles »
Recognizing his nemesis's voice, the young Specter let out a sigh before turning around, forcing a fake smile onto his face as he waited for Scott to approach. It was the lunch break, and Miles had been about to grab a coffee at Starbucks on Frederick Douglass Blvd with a couple of friends — until he realized this little interaction was going to cost him time.
« Scott »
« You good, buddy? You look tense »
« Yeah, that’s the effect you have on me »
« Hey, you got a few minutes to talk?
« Actually, no — better things to do »
As Miles turned to leave, Scott grabbed him by the arm, and the young man could already feel anger bubbling up inside him. He was about to tell him to let go, but Scott — knowing full well that Miles had a temper and could blow up fast — held on, eyes locked with his. And from that look alone, Miles knew things were about to go sideways.
« Come on, don’t act like that — I just want to talk »
« Too bad I don’t »
« It’s about Cassie »
« What about her? »
Cassie was in the same year as both of them. Nothing was going on between her and Miles, but they had hit it off right away after being paired up for an assignment in International Human Rights Law. Unfortunately, the same couldn’t be said for Scott — who had come on way too strong from the start as Cassie had shut him down immediately, something Scott clearly wasn’t used to. He was the kind of guy who always got what he wanted and so when he noticed how well Cassie and Miles got along, Scott made it his personal mission to mess with Miles every chance he got, just like today. Miles had been bracing himself for anything — but not for what came next.
« You know she’s never going to love you, right? »
« Oh please, don’t do that. You’re just projecting your own insecurities onto me. That’s sad » snorted Miles .
« What? You think you’re gonna make her happy? Be the perfect boyfriend? »
« Well, it’s definitely not gonna be you either — ugly face and tiny dick — poor woman »
Miles had zero intention of dating Cassie — or any girl, really. His life was already packed: law school, football, his family... and truth be told, he’d already found love — with the three most important girls in his life. Still, he was a Specter, and like his father, he had that signature arrogance, that flair for provocation. So when he threw that last jab at Scott, he’d assumed it would rattle him enough to finally walk away, but Scott just chuckled, eyes dark, and leaned in to murmur.
« That’s all you’ve got, right? Deep down, you know she’ll never love you — just like your own parents don’t »
« Excuse me? »
« I heard about your two little sisters, huh? »
Miles stiffened. He had never talked about his personal life — not his family, not his name. After all, having Harvey Specter as your dad could scream nepotism, that’s why he used only Paulsen in class and never bragged about being the son of New York’s best closer as most people hadn’t even connected the dots. But a few weeks ago, some classmates had seen him alone at the park with Aida and Isa and as word spread fast — people started whispering that Miles was some kind of teenage dad. So for the first time, had to clear things up: his parents had him young, and his two little sisters came years later and that had put the rumors to rest — until now.
« Careful with what you say next… » warned Miles, his voice low and sharp.
« Oh, so that’s what happened? You, the teenage accident they shipped off while they rebuilt a real family with two normal kids. I mean, I get it. Having a failure like you for a son? Must be hard to love. Bet they’re praying the next two turn out better than you maybe not being as fucked up and bad as you are. But who knows? Maybe your mom made you with some kind of weirdo and let your father believe you were his, maybe she slept around and — »
Miles didn’t let him finish and in one blow, Scott was on the ground. Talking like that about any little kids — let alone two innocent girls just four years and fourteen months old — was already messed up, but when it came to his little sisters? That was an instant red line for Miles. He could handle a lot, brush off a lot — but not this. Even though he had no doubt his parents loved him — never had, never would — and wasn’t the least bit jealous of the life Aida and Isa had now compared to what he had been, he’d never allow anyone to question the choices his parents had made — it wasn’t anyone’s business but theirs. And worst of all, the way Scott had implied that his mother had gotten pregnant young with someone else, throwing shade on the older redhead and painting her as someone she absolutely wasn’t? Respect, logic, and calm vanished in an instant as Miles lunged while he didn’t even remember the moment between thinking and doing.
One second, Scott was talking, the next one, he was on the floor, and Miles was on top of him, fists flying. One minute, ten minutes, an hour — Miles couldn’t have said how long it had been. Time had gone fuzzy, the edges of his vision red with rage as all he knew was that by the time people managed to pull him off, Scott’s face was a mess — bruised, bloodied, and definitely worse for wear. The Saturday boxing sessions with his dad? Yeah, they’d definitely paid off. Now, with his knuckles scraped raw and adrenaline still coursing through him, Miles found himself in the dean’s office, sitting across from a whimpering Scott, who kept dabbing at his face with a tissue and milking every groan. The air was thick with tension — equal parts awkward and explosive — as both boys sat there, one looking like a wreck, the other like he didn’t regret a damn thing, making the dean sighed.
« I should call your parents »
As the dean began with the call to Scott’s parents, the student glanced smugly at Miles, his expression practically screaming you’re screwed as with a father that rich and influential, Scott clearly thought he had nothing to worry about. But the confidence drained from his face when the dean hung up and reached for his phone again — this time dialing the first few digits of Donna’s number and before he could finish, Miles leaned forward and pressed the button to hang up the call. In a second, the dean stared at him, stunned as he muttered.
« What are you doing? I need to — »
« Call my dad »
« Miles, I’m not sure that’s — »
« My. Dad »
There was something in the way he said it — calm, cold, absolute as the dean hesitated, throat visibly tightening, before he obeyed. At the same time, Scott watched in confusion, not understanding the shift in tone or the sudden nervous energy that took over the room. Meanwhile, Harvey, just stepping out of a meeting and on his way back to the firm, raised an eyebrow at the unknown number buzzing on his phone — probably a client — as he answered briskly.
« Harvey Specter speaking »
« Good afternoon, sir. This is William Hart, Dean of Columbia Law School »
« Is my son okay? »
« He’s been involved in a rather… well, a rather violent altercation with another student. I’d like to discuss the matter with either you or your wife. I understand if your schedule is busy, perhaps the mother — »
« I’m coming. Is he hurt? »
« No, no, it’s... it’s the other student who... well, took the brunt of it »
« Good. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes »
In a second, Harvey slipped his phone back into his pocket with a muttered curse, flagged down a cab, and barked out the address to Columbia. As the car sped off, he dialed his wife who was probably busy getting the girls as, after a few rings, her soft voice came through.
« Hey, honey »
« Babe, hey »
« What’s going on? I can hear in your voice something’s wrong »
« Columbia called — Miles got into a fight. Again. And from what I gather, he might’ve wrecked the other kid »
« What? Is he okay? »
« The dean said he is. I’m heading there now. You go pick up the girls and meet me after, alright? »
« Of course, yeah. Keep me posted »
« Don’t worry, I will. Love you »
« Love you too »
The second the call ended, Harvey was already bouncing his knee in the backseat of the cab, growing more impatient by the second as traffic crawled through Manhattan. Meanwhile, a few miles away at Columbia, the door to the dean’s office burst open and Scott’s parents stormed in, their faces pale — gasping as they caught sight of their son’s bruised and bloodied face — their horrified gazes shifted instantly to Miles, sharp with fury.
« You’re the one who did this to our son? »
« He came at me first » replied Miles coolly, not flinching.
« I hope for your sake you’ve got a good lawyer, because we’re going to make sure you’re expelled and that you never come near our son again »
At that, Miles didn’t even blink as he sat up straighter, a slight smirk tugging at his lips while he replied with calm.
« And I hope for your sake you have a good lawyer. Because mine? He’s the best damn closer in New York and also happens to be my dad »
Silence. Total silence until the dean sighed and rubbed his temples like this wasn’t his first Specter-level moment of the day. In front of him, Scott’s parents stared, confused while the other student gulped audibly, voice small as he muttered.
« What does that even mean? »
« Ever heard of Harvey Specter? I think he’s the guy who cost your dad a few million in court a while back, huh? »
Facing Miles' revelation, Scott’s eyebrows shot up as he let out a nervous, almost disbelieving laugh, whispering weakly/
« You’re telling me you’re Harvey Specter’s son? »
To anyone studying law in New York, Harvey Specter was a legend. Everyone had heard of him, but aside from high-profile trials or client meetings, Harvey wasn’t one to chase the spotlight, unlike Scott’s father who practically lived on the cover of financial magazines. So no, Miles wasn’t surprised that no one in their class had ever made the connection, sure, he resembled his father — but his hair was a touch lighter, his eyes unmistakably green like his mom, and his face was dusted with faint freckles — he was a perfect blend of both his parents, enough to blur the obvious. And now? Now that the truth had landed like a brick? Miles leaned forward just slightly, his voice calm but sharp as a blade.
« I am, yeah »
« But… your last name isn’t Specter »
« It’s Paulsen-Specter. You know why? Because unlike you, I don’t live in my father’s shadow. I don’t need to shout my last name from rooftops or brag about being ‘so-and-so’s son’ just to feel important. I let myself do the talking — in class, in life, everywhere »
He didn’t raise his voice. He didn’t need to as the room had already gone silent again and for the first time that day — maybe ever — Scott Preston had absolutely nothing to say. Taking full advantage of the heavy silence still hanging in the air, Miles leaned in slowly, a small, almost amused laugh escaping his lips as his voice dropped to a near whisper — gentle, but laced with something dangerous.
« You know... if there’s one thing my dad really can’t stand — besides corrupt men like your father — it’s people who come after his family. Here, today, you tried to confront me, you grabbed my arm, wouldn’t let me walk away, and I kept my cool at first. But then? You went further… you touched me, you ran your mouth and that, my dad won’t let it slide. So yeah, he’s gonna be pissed you came for me, but wait until he hears what you said. Calling his firstborn an accident? A failure? That’s something. But implying that my sisters — who are literal toddlers, and the center of his world — were fucked up too? That? That’s something else entirely. And if somehow you walk away from all that in one piece… Wait until I tell him what you said about my mom — that you implied that the love of his life, his wife, slept around? Believe me, you'll be begging me to go fight in the street again because if he's the one you're facing? You’re not walking out of that office without your last name being burned to the ground »
After Miles’s cold, surgical monologue, not a single person dared say a word as the room had turned into a vacuum — silent, tense, thick with unease — but that was, until the muffled sounds of voices echoed from the hallway. A woman’s voice tried to intervene only to be cut off by a deeper, sharper tone that sliced through the corridor like a knife as then the door slammed open. Standing tall in the doorway, sharp in a tailored suit, eyes already scanning like he was in front of a jury, stood Harvey Specter — every inch of him radiating power and fury. Barely inside, he didn’t greet anyone, didn’t look at the dean, didn’t glance at Scott or his parents, he went straight to his son, crossing the room in a few quick strides as he crouched slightly, reaching out to gently tilt Miles’s chin, inspecting his face like a doctor searching for fractures until his voice dropped, low and controlled.
« You’re good? »
« I am. Don’t worry, Dad »
« What happened? »
And that was the question — the one that made Scott visibly freeze and his parents instinctively shrink into their seats. Because they had just realized: this wasn’t just a father, this was Harvey Specter and now it was his courtroom, the lawyer ready to defend his most important client — his son. Sensing that things were about to spiral fast, Scott’s mother tried to take the reins, her voice firm, but the slight tremble beneath betrayed her panic.
« Mr. Specter, I think this is all just a misunderstanding. We should really try to — »
« I want to know what happened . My son doesn’t lay a hand on someone without a damn good reason. So whatever went down, I want to hear all of it »
In a second, the room froze as the dean shifted uncomfortably in his seat, Scott’s dad cleared his throat like he might say something — then clearly thought better of it — and Scott? He sat completely still, sweat already starting to bead at his temples as Harvey’s eyes shifted to Miles, waiting for an answer. The young Specter, who usually carried more of his mom’s calm, composed demeanor, was done playing nice, today had crossed the line, and if there was ever a time to let his father’s name do the talking — it was now.
« Scott here can’t handle not being the smartest guy in the room, especially when someone like me actually earns their place. He’s bitter because a girl we both work with — who he tried to hit on — shot him down and with time, we became just friends and he didn’t like that. So today? He decided to push my buttons. He said I was a mistake, that you and Mom sent me away to forget me, that Aida and Isa would turn out fucked up like me. Then, he implied you weren’t even my real dad and said Mom probably got pregnant with someone else — like she’s just some random girl who sleeps around. Plus, his mom threatened to have me expelled »
The air was thick, dense with rage, and Harvey? Harvey snapped. In a blink, he was across the room, one hand fisting Scott’s collar, lifting him effortlessly and slamming him back against the wall behind him as the sound echoed like thunder through the office.
« Listen to me, idiotic piece of shit. You come after my son — you get me. But you drag my daughters and my wife into it? You better pray the only thing you lose today is your spot at this school. So now, I hope for your sake that this was the last time the idea of messing with a Specter even crossed your mind because if my son tells me you even looked at him the wrong way — if you talk to him, if you breathe near him, I swear to God I’ll make your life a living hell. You won’t just be out of Columbia. I’ll make sure no university takes you — not Harvard, not Stanford, not Princeton... not even the shittiest school in the middle of Kentucky. Daddy’s money won’t save you from that as I’ll burn every bridge before you even reach it. So I really hope you understood what I just said. Today? That was just a preview. Next time I hear even one fucking thing — one — I’ll bury you deeper than six feet under »
As soon as the last word of his monologue left his lips, Harvey released Scott with a sharp flick of the wrist as the boy slumped against the wall, sliding halfway to the floor, pale and breathless, unable to form a single word. Meanwhile, Harvey calmly adjusted the cuffs of his tailored suit, then turned to his son with the same composure he used when walking out of a courtroom victorious.
« Let’s go »
Without another glance back, father and son stepped out of the dean’s office, leaving behind a room so silent it could’ve been a tomb. Outside, walking side by side through the Columbia campus, Miles — twenty now, but suddenly feeling sixteen again — stole a glance at his father with his heart still pounded with the leftover adrenaline and, now, a touch of worry. As he hesitated for a moment, he then murmured.
« I’m sorry, Dad. I shouldn’t have hit him »
« You did the right thing »
« What? »
« Look, I don’t encourage punching people. You know that. You’ve seen where it landed you before, but he talked about the girls, about mom, and honestly? If you hadn’t wrecked him, I probably would’ve »
« Yeah »
As Miles nodded quietly, eyes still on the ground, Harvey bumped his shoulder lightly with a chuckle.
« I don’t want you fighting, but I’m proud of you for standing your ground and for reminding people who the hell you are. Just… maybe next time don’t risk damaging your face. You know mom will kill me if you mess up the one thing she spent nine months perfecting »
That made them both laugh and it was through that laughter that they finally exited the massive Columbia campus — just in time to spot three familiar figures up ahead as Donna, was crouching in front of their two girls, handing them iced teas while Isa sat babbling and Aida swung her legs eagerly from a bench. The second the mother looked up and spotted them, her hands instinctively grabbed the drinks as Aida and Isa squealed and sprinted toward their father and brother with their little legs. Cuddles were shared in an instant — Harvey effortlessly lifting both girls into his arms while Miles leaned into Donna’s tight embrace as she pulled back, both hands cupping his face in motherly panic.
« Oh my god, baby. What happened? »
« He provoked me »
« Did he hurt you? »
« No, but you should see him »
« Hey. I’m not joking. You can’t just fight people when they provoke you. We already have your father for that and that’s more than enough »
« Sorry, Mom »
« It’s fine — are there consequences? »
« I don’t think so »
« What do you mean you don’t think so? »
« Dad handled it »
With his answer, Miles tilted his head toward Harvey with a half-smile and right on cue, the doors to the law school swung open — and out walked Scott and his parents — the other student face was a mess of bruises and cuts, enough to make Donna gasp softly the muttering while looking at her husband.
« Honey? Please tell me that’s not your doing? »
« I swear — it wasn’t me. That’s entirely the work of your son » snorted Harvey.
« Sweet baby Jesus… »
« Can we go home, please? » sighed Miles.
After a brief exchange of glances between Scott's parents and Harvey, each trying to regain their composure, the two families parted ways. Scott, still in shock and affected by the encounter with Harvey, followed his parents without muttering a word. On the other side, Harvey turned to Donna, a slight smile on his lips as she returned an amused and slightly reproachful look, but the love in her eyes was clear.
« I told you not to let him fight, honey »
« I know, but sometimes, you just have to let him be a Specter »
With one last sigh, everyone made their way to the car Donna had driven, and after a few minutes of driving, the Specter family arrived home. Laughter filled the living room as Miles sat on the floor, surrounded by his two little sisters, their eyes shining with joy and fascination as they burst into laughter at every word or gesture from their big brother. Donna, watching the scene from the doorway, smiled softly, her hand resting on Harvey's shoulder as they exchanged a silent look, filled with pride — their family was their world, and even after all the turbulence, it remained united and full of joy. That’s how the evening continued, in a warm atmosphere filled with laughter and love. Miles, with his sisters on his lap, hugs and smiles exchanged around him, needed nothing else. His family was there, strong and whole, and to him, that was all that mattered. A happy family. A proud family.
And at that moment, everything was perfect.