Chapter Text
Jessica, Louis, and Mike had been waiting at the large conference table for over half an hour now, with no idea why. Almost an hour ago, after everyone else had already gone home, they hadn’t even had time to change out of their suits and designer dresses into something more casual when they all received the same message from Harvey.
Urgent. Meeting in the conference room asap
They hadn’t received any additional details — just the brief, straightforward message outlining what they needed to do. So, once again, they were donning their jackets and shoes, hailing a taxi, and all heading back to the firm. Although things hadn’t always been smooth between the four of them, they considered themselves family, so if one needed help, the others would be there without question. Upon arriving at the firm, they gathered at the designated spot, but Harvey was nowhere to be found. Surprised, they settled in to wait for updates while discussing the suspicious nature of Harvey’s message.
« I don't get it, he didn't say anything to me » sighed Mike.
« I wonder what's going on... What could be so urgent? He didn't hint at anything » added Louis.
« Maybe, but clearly, something's been off for the past few days » whispered Jessica.
As the three exchanged glances, they all understood what the brunette was talking about. Over the past two days, Harvey hadn’t been around much at the firm, always out somewhere dealing with supposed issues, but what had truly shocked them was seeing Donna missing. The redhead was practically a fixture at the office — she never missed a day, and even when sick, she’d show up, working tirelessly behind her desk for Harvey. So when they’d seen her take a call and rush out of her cubicle, grabbing her bag and jacket to head for the elevators, disappearing without a word for the next two days, everyone was surprised. The following morning, when Mike had asked Harvey about it, Harvey had simply told him to mind his own business, offering no further explanation — so Jessica's words rang true: something had been off lately, and they had no idea what it meant.
They waited for news — five minutes, ten minutes, twenty minutes — and just as Jessica checked the time on her phone once again and was about to get up and leave, Harvey walked into the room, and the brunette and the two men were taken aback by his silent entrance. His jaw was clenched, the vein on his temple bulging in a way they’d never seen before and he was clearly tense and angry — it was obvious to all three that this conversation was going to be pivotal. If no one had spoken until now, Jessica was the first to break the silence, addressing her protege directly.
« Harvey, what’s going on? What’s so urgent? »
« I’ve got a case that's just been dropped on my lap, and I need the best lawyers on it — but I also need it to stay between us. Nothing leaves this room, understood? »
As the three of them nodded, clearly surprised, Harvey sighed before murmuring.
« There’s this kid, sixteen years old, who hit one of his teachers at school a few days ago. The teacher’s probably going to press charges for assault with bodily harm, so we absolutely need to find a way to get him out of this because he could end up tried in the adult justice system, facing serious consequences. I need you three on this case »
After hearing this somewhat suspicious and confusing explanation, Jessica let out a sigh, her expression softening as she looked at the lawyer and murmured.
« Harvey, I'm not sure I understand, we’re talking about a case that hasn’t even broken yet? Plus, we don’t handle cases like this — we deal with big clients, high stakes, or millions on the line, not some random teenager who made a mistake because he was what? Too impulsive? »
« Look, it’s not just a random teenager, it’s just — »
At that moment, the floor fell silent as everyone stopped talking and turned toward the hallway as the sound of heels clicking on the floor signaled a woman’s approach. No one needed to say a word, they all knew it was Donna when they heard the soft, familiar sound of the redhead’s voice from a distance.
« Don’t even start, please »
They couldn’t tell if Donna was speaking to someone on the phone or even talking to herself, but in the next instant, she appeared in the hallway in front of the meeting room, and all three of them gasped when they saw her. She was indeed talking to someone — a young boy — and despite the dim lighting in the hallway and the night outside, they all immediately understood why this wasn’t just some random teenager. Dirty blonde hair, thin lips, a strong, chiseled jawline, freckles across his face, along with big, round eyes and a straight nose, made the resemblance undeniable. For a few seconds, the room remained silent, until Louis was the first to murmur.
« Holy shit »
As Donna and the teenager continued down the hallway, their figures clearly visible through the large windows, they all saw the redhead nodding to Harvey, signaling him to follow her, as the teenager, however, dragged his feet and sulked beside her. With a heavy sigh, Harvey stood up and left the room without saying a word, walking toward Donna and the young man until he reached them, now a little further down the hallway, to shoot the young boy a disdainful look. Immediately, the teenager in turn let out a mocking laugh before speaking.
« Oh please, I know you're dying for it. Come on, scold me »
« Scold you? Are you serious, Miles? Do you realize the mess you've gotten us into? » yelled Harvey.
« Oh, I’ve put you in a mess? It’s about you? Now you’re concerned when it comes to me, or is it just about your stupid reputation again? » shot the teen back.
« Miles, stop — you messed up, you're responsible right now, so stop turning the situation around by pretending I’m the problem »
« Why do you even care? Don’t you have another case to take care of? I don’t know, something more important than me? »
« What did you just say? »
« You want me to repeat? »
« Stop, both of you » said Donna with an authoritative voice.
For a few seconds, the hallway was once again swallowed by silence, while in the room next door, the three adults exchanged uncertain glances, slowly starting to piece together what was happening. Then, after another heavy sigh, Harvey’s voice echoed down the hallway.
« Are you willing to talk or not? »
« I don’t know, are you willing to listen? Or maybe you have better things to do? »
« You know what, figure it out yourself, Miles »
« Are you serious, Harvey? » exclaimed Donna.
« What? He’s arrogant as hell since he came here while I’m trying to save his ass — but as usual, you’re going to defend your son, huh? »
« Our son, Harvey. Our. And I’m not defending anyone, I just know he did something bad, but we are his parents, and we need to find a solution. But instead, you’re both busy arguing like always — I’m just so sick of that »
« Donna… »
« Mom… »
« I’m serious, you're both acting like children when you should be understanding the weight of the situation. First of all, Miles, you don't talk to dad like that — he's right, you screw up and he's trying to save your ass, so stop being arrogant and do what he tells you without another word. And you, Harvey, you better find a solution for him, because this temperament and arrogance sure as hell didn’t come from me »
« Yeah, you’re right.. Sorry — so, what did they say at the police station? » sighed the lawyer.
« The teacher has three days off for involuntary work interruption. He’s pressing charges against Miles — assault and injury, I believe »
« What kind of damage did you do to the man, Miles? »
« Mostly his face. I think I broke his nose and possibly a cheekbone. I don’t know »
« Great »
« Can we go, mom? I'm exhausted. I spent the whole night at the police station, and the flight just wiped me out » whispered Miles.
For a few seconds, the tension hung in the air as the exchange between the three of them fell silent. Donna then looked at Harvey for approval, and when she saw him nod, she gently slid her hand through the teenager's hair, murmuring softly to him.
« Alright, we're going home then. Say goodnight to dad »
« See you, dad »
« See you — I'll come by tomorrow morning to talk to you both, okay? »
« Thanks, Harv »
« See you tomorrow, Donna »
After a final nod, Donna and Miles left the floor to head to the redhead’s apartment, where the teenager’s small room awaited, while Harvey returned to the meeting room as if nothing had happened. Once seated, he let out a deep sigh, his stress and frustration evident as he rubbed his temples. In the meantime, the three lawyers watched him, unsure of how to respond, but sensing the heavy silence, Harvey finally murmured.
« It’s not just a random teenager, it’s... my teenager »
At Harvey's confirmation, the room fell into complete silence once again, and no one knew how to respond. They couldn’t quite figure out what shocked them the most — the fact that Harvey had a child or that he was sharing this with Donna. They hadn’t seen the young man clearly, but despite the dim lighting, it was impossible to ignore how much he resembled Harvey but the way he had called Donna mom, the redhead referring to them as parents, and speaking about their son — everything left little doubt about what was happening. As Harvey rubbed his temples, it was Mike who finally murmured, slightly umcomfortable.
« Alright, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop on your conversation or anything, I just heard by accident, but... do you have a child with Donna? »
« Yeah »
« What the fuck, dude? »
« I know — sorry about him, by the way, he’s probably just going through his teenage phase. Usually, he’s not this... defensive »
« Alright, I think we deserve some explanations, don't you think? » said Jessica.
« I don’t know what to tell you » sighed Harvey.
« Well, explain to us how we just saw a version of you at sixteen walking down the hall calling your secretary mom — how is that possible? »
« Let’s just say Donna and I lied a bit about the circumstances of how we met »
« We can see that »
« It’s just that — we first met in a bar right after my studies at Harvard and hers at Yale. I was 23, she was 21, and it clicked immediately between us. Well, I wasn’t any more mature back then than I am now, and what was supposed to happen happened until Donna found me a few weeks later to tell me she was pregnant — it only took once, but it happened. After a lot of thinking, we decided to keep the baby, but those first three years were a nightmare — things were starting to take off at the DA’s office for me, so I was never there, choosing my career over them, while Donna couldn’t make it to her auditions anymore since we were living apart and she had to care for him alone.
Miles stayed with her, and I’d visit when I had time or when I had to look after him while she went to auditions or work. But with the mountain of work Cameron Dennis piled on me and Donna working double shifts as a waitress and barista, we couldn’t manage it — financially or organizationally. Miles spent long days in daycare, and it was tough for us because we felt like failures as parents. But it was even harder on him, barely seeing us — he’d cry all the time and never slept. So we decided to leave him with my dad in Boston for a few months just to try something new. At least there, he’d get the care he needed and wouldn’t spend his days with strangers, maybe even sleeping… I don’t know. So when we saw how much happier he was there, it was hard, but we decided to leave him there with my dad and brother.
Since Donna was exhausted and feeling guilty for not being able to handle Miles the way she wanted, we did everything we could to help her get her legal secretary diploma so she could work for me, have weekends and vacations free to take care of Miles in Boston, and also have a bit more money for him. That was until my father passed away, he was eight at this time and the only solution we found was to send him to boarding school — Phillips Academy Andover — to make sure he got the best education possible and being surrounded as we were here all the time, working. And now here we are... and he’s hitting his teacher... I can’t believe it »
After Harvey’s explanation, the room fell into silence once again as the three other lawyers exchanged glances, each trying to process the weight of what had just been revealed. Louis, devastated at the thought that the woman he had idealized for so long had a child with Harvey — his kind of rival — while Mike, equally stunned, was grappling with the fact that his mentor was a father. Seconds later, it was Jessica who broke the silence first, her voice steady but laced with concern.
« Why never tell us? I mean, we’re a family, Harvey »
« It’s just that we didn’t want it to get out there. I mean, we’re very proud of our son, but there’s a lot to consider. First, I don’t want anyone using him to get to me. I know that if anyone tries, I’ll lose it — he’s my son, my whole life, even if it’s not always easy. And then, think about Donna’s credibility. I got her pregnant after a one-night stand, totally drunk, and I made her work for me because we were struggling with money for our son. So yeah, in the meantime, she turned out to be an amazing legal secretary, but that won’t stop people from saying she slept her way to where she is. And also, we’re a little… ashamed? I don’t know » sighed Harvey.
« Ashamed? » murmured Mike.
« Well, we didn’t do right by him. If it were up to us, we would’ve kept him in New York with us, but our lifestyle choices meant we couldn’t take care of him properly. I know Donna still feels guilty — she cried nonstop when we sent him to Boston, and it was even worse when he went to boarding school. She was inconsolable. And now… now I’m pretty sure she’ll blame herself for not being there »
« Complicated situation » sighed Jessica.
« Yeah. Anyway, now I don’t know what got into him, but he really messed up, and I need to get him out of this before it gets worse — I need the best — so, are you guys going to help me or not? »
Seeing the three other lawyers nod, still processing all the revelations, they discussed the situation a bit more before eventually heading home. Harvey, however, stayed up all night, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought. Meanwhile, a few hours earlier, as mother and son left the firm and waited for the Uber, Miles hugged Donna tightly before murmuring against her.
« Thanks for coming to pick me up, mom »
« Always, baby. And I promise you, with dad, we’ll do everything we can to get you out of this, but calm down, alright? I can’t stand seeing you two fight. It breaks my heart »
« Sorry »
« It’s fine — now, we’re going home. You’re going to get to your room, and after a good night’s sleep, and mom’s breakfast, we’ll figure out what we can do next »
« Alright »
« Hey, Miles — I know I haven’t always been there for you, but you are and will always be the love of my life, and I love you more than anything, okay? I’ll always do everything to keep you safe and happy »
« I know, mom — I love you too »
« Good, then – Come on, the Uber’s here »
After a final hug and a kiss on Miles' forehead, they both got into the vehicle and headed to Donna’s apartment, where the teenager’s room awaited. In the early years, Donna had shared her room with Miles due to a lack of space, but now that she was earning a bit more, she had been able to buy a two-bedroom place, and she’d prepared a room for him so that he would always feel at home whenever he came back for vacations.
Once home, she helped him unpack, and Miles couldn’t help but smile as he noticed everything had been thoughtfully arranged. His pajamas were neatly laid out, his water bottle sat on the nightstand, and everything was organized and welcoming — just as his mom always made sure it was. So after taking a shower and slipping into his pajamas, he flopped onto his bed, scrolling through his phone, lost in his thoughts until a few moments later, Donna entered, holding her hand out to him.
« What? »
« Your phone, Miles »
« Seriously? I'm 16, mom. I mean, I can — »
« What? Handle it like a big boy? I saw that with your teacher. In this house, I make the rules — your phone. Come on, I’m not here to negotiate, tomorrow’s going to be a long day, and you told dad you were tired anyway, huh? »
« Alright » groaned the teen.
« Thank you, baby »
After taking Miles' phone, Donna showered his face with kisses, making him laugh, and for a moment, it felt like he was three years old again — mother and son spending their mornings cuddling in her bed before she had to leave for work. Meanwhile, while Harvey couldn’t sleep, his son’s arrogance echoing in his mind, Donna wasn’t really closing her eyes either, her thoughts consumed with Miles and what would happen next. So, when the first rays of sunlight touched her face hours later, she sighed as she got up, surprised to find Harvey already sitting on the couch, focused on his laptop.
« It’s been a while since you’ve used your spare keys »
« Well, I didn’t really have a reason to come when he wasn’t here — hey »
« Hey »
« Did you sleep? »
« Not much.. I’m scared for him. What about you? »
« Barely » sighed Harvey.
« I bet »
« Did you two talk much yesterday? »
« Not really, he thanked me for picking him up, and I told him to calm down with you. That’s it »
« He hates me, Donna »
« He doesn’t hate you. He’s just young and… angry? Sounds like someone else I know. You two don’t just look alike, huh? »
« Yeah, well last night, he didn’t just seem angry. You should have seen the way he looked at me… there’s so much hate in his eyes »
« He’s angry, Harvey. Look, our priority right now is to get him out of this mess because what he did is serious, and I don’t want there to be too many consequences for his actions. But once all this is over, we need to talk and figure out a solution »
« Such as? »
« Such as the fact that our son got expelled from boarding school, and from now on, he’ll be staying with me in New York »
« Donna… »
« Harvey, you can do whatever you want, but I’m keeping our son with me. For almost his entire life, he’s been away from me, and now that he’s sixteen, the thought that he’s been so far from me for so long keeps me up at night sometimes. I think everything going on right now is a sign — this has to stop. So for the little time he’s still a kid, he’s going to be with me here. And you... you do what you want. He’s your son too, but I’m not asking you to drop everything for him. I want to be there more for my son because he needs this, so I’m keeping him with me, and from now on, I’ll put him before work — you better get used to it »
« Alright… »
As they sat on opposite sides of the couch, they heard footsteps echoing in the hall, and both turned to see Miles walking in, dressed in his pajama pants and an oversized hoodie, eyes half-closed, hair in every direction, and automatically, Donna opened her arms, and the teenager climbed onto the couch to snuggle against her, looking as if he were five years old again. Miles had always been a mama’s boy — maybe because he had lived with Donna, maybe because she had always been an amazing mother despite the circumstances, always putting him first, or maybe it was because Harvey had been such a bad father. Harvey knew that well, and he knew the reason Miles was so arrogant with him was because he resented him for not being there the way Donna had been.
She had called or texted him every day, made the trip whenever she could to Massachusetts, even for a few hours, always picking him up and spending all of his vacations in New York and Hartford with her. She’d taken time off for his birthday and Halloween — his favorite holiday — and made sure he had everything he needed, often sending gifts when she couldn’t be there. She followed his school progress closely, called him as soon as his results came out to congratulate him, and attended all his big matches or small ceremonies. She’d spent most of her free time either in the car or on a plane for him, dedicating all her hours for her son, even if it meant not living her own life.
Harvey, on the other hand, had never done any of that. Too absorbed in his job, he hadn’t paid attention to these small details, he’d waited only for updates from Donna about their son. He called sometimes, especially for big events he couldn’t attend, sent gifts now and then to make up for his absence, and visited during holidays when Miles was in New York with Donna — but other than that, he hadn’t been there. He loved his son more than anything in the world, especially because he was half him, half Donna, but Harvey had been so afraid of messing up — especially seeing the incredible job Donna was doing — that he hadn’t wanted to intervene, worried he might ruin his son the way his parents had ruined him.
But now, watching the situation unfold, he wasn’t sure that had been the right choice. Seeing Miles cling to his mother like a koala, Donna alternating between kissing his head and gently stroking his hair, Harvey murmured while looking at him.
« I stopped by the bakery for you »
« An almond croissant? » murmured Miles.
« Three – you eat like an ogre now »
« Harv, that’s way too much sugar » sighed Donna.
« I got you some mini madeleines »
« Never mind, then »
As the family laughed together at Donna’s change of perspective, the redhead encouraged Miles to get up before all three of them sat down at the table while Donna started serving coffee to Harvey, hot chocolate to Miles, and tea for herself. For a brief moment, they seemed like a typical family sharing breakfast, the warmth and comfort of the scene wrapping around them. Harvey couldn’t help but feel his heart tighten every time he saw Donna slip her hand through their son’s hair or gently touch his jaw, speaking to him in a soft voice, looking at him with so much love and her beautiful smile. And every time Miles looked at Donna as if she were the eighth wonder of the world, Harvey felt the weight of the years they’d lost. About twenty minutes later, after breakfast, Harvey sighed, glancing at Miles, a sense of helplessness creeping in.
« Can we talk? »
« Are you going to defend me in court? »
« I don’t know yet. I don’t think it’s a very good idea »
« Because I’m gonna ruin your reputation? » muttered Miles, looking at his plate.
« No, because you're my son, and I'll go crazy if you get attacked. We already have one Specter throwing punches, we don’t need a second. We all know mom’s the more reasonable one between us »
Seeing his father admit that his son was his biggest weakness, Miles fought a smile, his gaze softening as Harvey looked at him with tenderness. Parenthood had changed both of them, especially since they had been thrown into it without really knowing how to handle it. Maybe they hadn’t done things like everyone else, but that didn’t mean they hadn’t been changed by it. Harvey would never forget when the midwives had handed their son to Donna — he could still remember the exact moment his world shifted when Miles opened his eyes.
Until then, he had only ever thought about himself — been selfish, never cared much about anything or anyone else — but when Donna fell asleep and he spent the night with Miles in his arms to keep him asleep, he had known he would die for his son and the mother. So sure, they were still kids themselves when Miles came into their lives like a cannonball, and from the beginning, Harvey hadn’t been very demonstrative, verbalizing even less, but deep down, he hoped his son knew it and didn’t hold it against him. Seeing Miles sigh, Donna murmured gently.
« Tell dad what happened »
« There’s this girl in my class, Emma — she’s really sweet, gets great grades, just an all-around perfect student. One day, I suggested we skip out and go for a walk after curfew, but after a while, I noticed she got a message, and suddenly her whole attitude changed. I asked her what was going on, but she brushed it off and pretended everything was fine, but her phone kept ringing though, so I took a look at it. That’s when I saw it — some guy was harassing her, sending... well, inappropriate pictures and dirty messages. When I asked her who it was, she broke down and said she was too scared to talk about it. Then, she told me it was Professor Evans. I lost it at that point, so I waited until he was alone in his office during study hall and... I confronted him — I mean, I beat him »
At the revelation, both parents sat in stunned silence, absorbing Miles' confession, unsure of what to say next, but after a long pause, Donna's voice broke the stillness, her words soft yet firm.
« Well, I’m not really surprised. Physically fighting for a girl? Sounds pretty... Specter-like »
Seeing the unspoken exchange between them, Miles' gaze flicked back and forth between his parents, his eyes wide with confusion as he then turned to his father, searching for some kind of clarification, his voice tentative.
« You fought for mom? »
« Of course I did » smirked Harvey.
« When? »
« It’s not important, Miles. Now, we need to figure out what to do about you » sighed Donna.
Not wanting to drag their son into the complexities of what had happened with Stephen, Donna shot Harvey a silent look, urging him to keep quiet as he caught the hint instantly, understanding that the conversation needed to shift. After a brief sigh, he glanced at both Donna and Miles before speaking again, his tone more measured.
« Did she file a report this… Emma? »
« No, she’s too scared of the consequences. She doesn’t want to get expelled »
« Unlike you — alright, I need her contact info » muttered Harvey.
« Dad — »
« I’ll try not to involve her in any of this, okay? I just need to talk to her. But Miles, you need to understand this — nothing else matters. I’ll do whatever it takes to get you out of this mess. It’s you, and you come first, all the time. Got it? »
« Understood »
« Good »
« What are you going to do? » murmured Donna.
« I have a meeting with Mike and Jessica — maybe Louis will join us later, but he’s still shocked by the fact that we have a kid together. Anyway, we’ll try to build a solid defense strategy. What about you? »
« I’ll arrange to have all his things transferred here, and we’ll get him enrolled in school here »
« I’m staying in New York? » asked Miles excitedly.
« Well, someone has to make sure you don’t punch another teacher, huh? »
« Thank you, mom. Sweet baby Jesus, I’m so relieved. I thought you were going to send me even further away to punish me, like Mexico or Europe » snorted Miles.
« Hey, you messed up, but you’re still our son » smiled Harvey.
« Yeah, and you’ve been away from me for too long. I’d rather keep you here for as long as possible before you leave for college and live your life far away from your old mom » chuckled Donna.
« Oh, please »
As laughter filled the room once more, Harvey stood up, walked over to Miles, kissed him on the head, and gave Donna’s shoulder a gentle squeeze before heading out of the apartment. Now alone with her son, Donna watched as Miles jumped to his feet, his face lit up with excitement, eager to spend the day with her, but just as he was about to move, she held him back.
« Sit down, please »
« What? »
« What happened in March? »
« In March? »
« Yeah »
« I don’t know what you’re talking about? »
« I never told dad, but I noticed your grades started slipping in March. I didn't say anything because I thought you were old enough and responsible enough to handle it on your own. But then, things escalated when you hit a teacher. So... what happened in March? »
« Nothing »
« Miles, don’t lie to me »
« I have nothing to say »
« You know it’s just me, right? I won’t tell dad unless I think he deserves to know »
« That’s the thing, he doesn’t deserve to know »
« Then I won’t tell him. So? What happened in March? »
« I know he was at the Yankees game » whispered the teen.
« What game? »
« The Yankees versus the Boston Red Sox »
« Alright… but I’m not sure I understand, baby »
« My friend Harry was there with his father »
« Miles… »
« He saw dad there »
« He was with a client. Otherwise, you know he would’ve taken you with him » sighed Donna.
« It's not just that, mom. Yeah, he went without me, and sure, that's usually our time to be together, but I get it — he was with a client, and no one knows about me, so fine. But what stings the most? Harry told me he was with some guy, probably the client, but also with his son. And apparently, they were having a great time, laughing and enjoying themselves. It just felt like I wasn’t even in the picture, like he forgot about me »
« He's your father, Miles… No one else, you know that, right? And he never forgets about you, you’re on his mind all the time, like you are in mine too »
« Yeah.. »
« And dad loves you »
« Are you sure about that? » sighed Miles.
« How can you doubt it? » smiled Donna sadly.
« Maybe because the last time I saw him was almost six months ago, because he forgot my birthday this year, wishing me a day later, and maybe because he never told me he loved me either »
« Miles, you know dad, you know how he is… »
« I know, and you've always told me to be patient with him, but it’s been sixteen years, I’m tired of being patient »
« Hey, I know it's not always easy — believe me, I know what I’m talking about — but dad loves you more than anything in the world. You're the most important person to him, even if he doesn't always show it the way you need him to. He can be... well, awkward sometimes, but he loves you more than anything in the world. And I know it’s hard not hearing him say it, but trust me, he feels it »
« Are you still in love with him? »
« Miles… » sighed Donna.
« Because he's not worth waiting for, mom. Believe me, it’s painful enough. You deserve to be happy with someone who truly loves you, just as much as you love them »
« That’s why I have you — come on, we’ll talk about this more, I promise, but right now we’re both emotional, so let’s take care of other things. Deal? »
« Deal »
« I love you »
« Love you too, mom »
After giving Miles a final kiss on the cheek, Donna allowed him to go first into the bathroom while she tidied up the bedroom, and once he was ready and settled in front of the TV, she made a few phone calls to arrange for his belongings to be transferred from the boarding school to their New York apartment. Afterward, they both headed out to the school where Donna had scheduled an appointment the day before.
Although the headmistress had hesitations about admitting a student with a history of hitting teachers, Donna’s explanation and a generous donation from Harvey helped secure Miles' spot at the prestigious private school in New York. After that, with everything in place, mother and son went shopping to help Miles settle in, and later that evening, as they were about to prepare dinner, Donna's phone rang, and she was surprised to see it was Harvey calling.
« Hello? »
« Hey, have you two already eaten? »
« Not yet, I was about to prepare something, why? »
« Shitty Thai? »
At the suggestion, Donna moved away from the phone and looked at her son, whispering.
« Shitty Thai? »
« That works for me »
« It works for him »
« Alright, I’ll get the usual? »
« As usual? » repeated Donna to her son.
« Yeah » smiled Miles.
« Does he want spring rolls too? »
« Yeah, get him some. That boy eats a lot » chuckled Donna.
« Alright — I’ll be there in twenty minutes »
Once they hung up, Donna and Miles settled on the couch in front of the TV, awaiting Harvey's arrival. True to his word, the lawyer walked in exactly twenty minutes later, takeout in hand, and they all gathered around the table, and Harvey immediately dug into his pad thai, speaking with his mouth full between bites as the two of them exchanged amused glances.
« You got a school? »
« Yeah, mom got me enrolled at Regis High School — an all-boys school » murmured Miles.
« Good, at least you won’t be fighting over a girl anymore » snorted Harvey.
As Donna and Harvey chuckled at Miles' disappointed expression, clearly upset about missing out on his usual chance to flirt at school — after all, he was sixteen and had inherited his father's charm — Harvey quickly shifted gears, deciding to steer the conversation in a different direction.
« About the girl, I got Emma on the line »
« Really? »
« Yeah, Mike and Jessica think instead of defending you and using your immaturity to justify your actions, we should find a way to turn the situation against the teacher »
« Is that possible? »
« I don’t know, we’ll see »
« But what do you think, dad? You’re the best lawyer in New York. I only trust you » whispered Miles.
« I think like they do, Miles. What that teacher did is disgusting, and I think if it had been our daughter, I would have completely lost it too. Anyway, I spoke to Emma and her parents, they’re going to file a complaint as well, and we’re going to try to put together a solid case with lots of evidence so you can get out of this without too much trouble and so this guy gets fired too »
« I hope so too — I think if it had been my sister, I would have killed him »
When Miles casually mentioned an imaginary sister, both Donna and Harvey shared a quiet look, fully aware it was a delicate subject. They had never really discussed it with him, but it was clear he understood that his family wasn’t quite the conventional one. After all, his father had gotten some woman pregnant while they were both drunk, and only later did Donna and Harvey connect when she was pregnant with Miles — there was nothing traditional or fairy-tale-like about it. They often wondered if Miles truly grasped the situation, especially since he rarely spoke about it, because aside from a few mentions of wanting a sibling when he was younger, he didn’t seem to dwell on it. To shift the mood, they quickly changed the topic, talking about everything and nothing until Harvey turned back home and mother and son were ready for bed.
In the days that followed, as the trial loomed, Harvey focused on defending his son with Mike and Jessica’s help, Donna returned to work, Miles started settling in at his new school, and just when things seemed to be falling into place, Harvey unexpectedly showed up at Donna's apartment. He found mother and son cozied up on the couch with a bowl of popcorn, watching a movie, but the moment they saw him, both of them straightened up, their faces showing a flash of panic, but Harvey merely handed over an envelope and said calmly.
« His summons to appear »
« When? » whispered Donna.
« Friday »
« So in four days » murmured Miles.
« Hey, baby, everything’s going to be okay, alright? Dad worked hard for your defense — it’s going to be fine »
« Alright » muttered the boy.
After talking for another twenty minutes, Miles finally drifted off to sleep, his head resting gently on Donna's lap as she ran her fingers through his hair, the soothing motion helping him relax even more. Once he was sound asleep, Harvey carefully lifted him and carried him to his room, while a few minutes later, the lawyer returned to the living room, exhausted, and collapsed onto the couch, letting out a deep sigh as he settled in.
« You're alright? »
« He's so heavy — I remember when I could walk for hours with him in my arms »
« Well, he's sixteen »
« It's crazy »
« Yeah… »
Seeing Donna lost in her thoughts, Harvey took her hand before murmuring.
« Hey, it’s going to be okay »
« What’s he facing? »
« He’s being tried as a minor, so that’s something. And then, I don’t know, it’ll depend on the judge... probation, rehabilitation programs, or at worst, detention in a juvenile facility — I don’t know »
« Harv… »
« I’ll do everything to make sure that doesn’t happen, alright? »
« Oh God, he's my baby — I never thought I'd find myself in this situation with him, he’s such a sweet boy, and I’m so scared of the sentence — he can’t go to juvenile facility, he’s not ready for that »
« Look, we’ve worked hard, and sure, he broke a teacher’s nose and cheekbone, but that man isn’t all innocent. We’ll play that angle, alright? »
« But the man’s powerful, you saw his friends.. all important people »
« We’re talking about our son, Donna. I’m ready to die for him, I’ll do anything, alright? »
« Alright »
« Have faith in me »
« You know I do »
« Good — anyway, I have to go, but I’ll keep you in touch »
« Yeah »
After sharing a final smile, Harvey left the apartment, and Donna made her way to bed. As the days passed and the big day drew closer, Donna found herself checking her son's outfit for the fifteenth time, her nerves mirroring his. She could practically feel the tension radiating from him, and though she did her best to mask her own anxiety, it was clear that the upcoming day was weighing heavily on both of them.
« Calm down, Miles »
« I want to stay with you, mom » whispered the teen.
In that moment, Donna was transported back in time, seeing her son as if he were still eight years old, the same boy she had to send off to boarding school, and it broke her heart all over again. With a soft sigh, she gently ran her fingers through his hair, planting a tender kiss on his cheek before whispering.
« Hey, I have faith in dad — everything’s going to be okay »
« Okay »
At that moment, Harvey stepped into the apartment, his breath catching as he took in the sight of his son. He was used to seeing Miles in casual clothes, like jeans and a sweatshirt or the boarding school’s chinos and sweater, but seeing him in a sharp Tom Ford suit hit him harder than he expected — it was as if the realization of how much his son had grown suddenly hit him all at once. So Harvey stood there for a moment, just staring at him, his eyes filled with a mixture of pride and disbelief.
« Are you ready? »
« Yeah »
« Alright, let's go »
The family quickly made their way to the New York County Courthouse, the weight of the day heavy on their shoulders as Jessica was already waiting for them, but both Harvey and Donna couldn’t help but feel the anxiety that came with this moment. It wasn’t just that their son was about to face a judge for the first time — it was also the day that their secret would no longer be one, the world would finally know about Miles. Harvey couldn’t help but feel the tension rising in his chest, but one thing kept him grounded: his son’s safety was all that mattered.
So, while he walked into the courtroom, barely noticing the stares or whispers from a few familiar faces, he greeted Jessica, and as he did, he could see Miles clinging to Donna’s side, not wanting to leave her for even a moment. Harvey then took a deep breath before walking back to the redhead and their son, settling down beside them as he spoke in a soft voice, trying to calm their nerves.
« Hey, go sit next to Jessica, it's going to start soon »
« And you two? »
« We're just behind you, baby. We won't leave you » smiled Donna.
« Alright »
After exchanging a quiet, reassuring smile, everyone took their seats while the room fell into a tense silence as the door to the courtroom opened, and the judge walked in. The room stood in unison, the weight of the moment hanging in the air, and once the judge took his seat and everyone settled back down, the proceedings began. Harvey kept his focus on Miles, offering a silent promise that everything would be okay, as the moment they had all been dreading, yet preparing for, had finally arrived.
« Please be seated. We are here to examine the charges brought against Miles Paulsen Specter, a 16-year-old minor, accused of assaulting a teacher at school. Prosecutor, could you present the facts of the case? »
« Yes, Your Honor. Miles Paulsen Specter is accused of striking a teacher, Mr. Evans, during an altercation in his office on January 12th of this year. The teacher suffered a broken nose, several bruises on his face and body, and had to go to the hospital for treatment. We have no witnesses, and we are seeking to determine the guilt of the defendant and decide on appropriate sanctions »
« Miles, do you understand the charges against you? » asked the judge.
A little stressed, Miles quickly nodded, his eyes flicking nervously between his parents as Donna gave him a soft smile of encouragement, while Harvey, though just as tense, gave him a reassuring glance. As the room settled into an anxious quiet, Jessica stood up, her posture confident as she approached the judge and turned to face the courtroom, her voice clear and steady as she began her defense, expertly navigating the legal complexities of the case. Her presence was calm and authoritative, a stark contrast to the heavy tension that filled the room.
« Your Honor, before addressing the question of whether Miles understands the charges, allow me to emphasize that Miles' actions were not driven by a desire to be violent, but rather by a defensive instinct. Miles acted in a moment of anger and confusion when he saw a respected member of the faculty harassing a student. He did not intend to hurt Mr. Evans, but felt the situation had become intolerable for the young girl, and his reaction was impulsive »
For what felt like an eternity, Jessica continued to speak, her words precise and calculated, as Harvey and Donna sat in anxious silence, their eyes constantly flicking to the judge in search of any sign of what he was thinking — every shift of his posture, every subtle movement, seemed like a clue. Donna noticed Harvey's leg bouncing rapidly in nervous energy, and without a word, she slid her hand up his thigh, her touch gentle yet purposeful, resting it on his knee to ground him. Harvey immediately intertwined his fingers with hers, squeezing her hand in return, both of them taking deep breaths in a quiet attempt to steady their nerves.
The trial dragged on, but Jessica seemed to have skillfully cornered the opposing party, making solid arguments that would hopefully sway the judge. Finally, the judge announced that he would retire to make his decision, leaving the courtroom in an oppressive silence while Miles, still visibly tense, turned to his parents. Donna, sensing his unease, leaned in, brushing her fingers along his jaw and gently stroking his cheek, her touch comforting, a silent promise that no matter the outcome, they were there for him.
« You're alright? »
« Do you think I'm going to end up in prison? »
« Miles… » sighed Donna.
« No, you’re not going to prison. Specters don’t end up in prison, we’re too handsome for that » chuckled Harvey.
The tension in the room was palpable as the minutes stretched on, with both parents trying to keep their anxiety in check while standing beside their son. Both standing up, Harvey’s chest pressed against Donna’s back, and his hand rested on her arm, his fingers brushing lightly against her skin. It was a small gesture, but one that seemed to speak volumes, their closeness unmistakable while Miles didn’t comment on the proximity of his parents, instead choosing to focus on the gravity of the situation, knowing full well how important this moment was.
After what felt like an eternity, the judge finally returned, and the room held its collective breath. The irony wasn’t lost on anyone — Miles was only sixteen, impulsive at worst, and yet here they were, fighting against charges that seemed disproportionate to the situation. Donna’s mind raced, imagining her son behind bars, surrounded by criminals, while Harvey’s thoughts were focused on the long-term consequences as he couldn’t help but worry about what this might mean for Miles’ future — his criminal record, his college applications, the stigma that could follow him for the rest of his life.
The weight of it all hung heavy in the air, but before either parent could go any further down that dark path of worry, the judge’s voice broke the silence, delivering the verdict.
« Alright, everyone. After taking into account the circumstances of the incident, the emotional context in which Miles acted, and the fact that he attempted to defend someone he believed to be in danger, I recognize that the act of violence was not premeditated but rather an impulsive response to a situation he perceived as unjust. However, I must emphasize that violence is never an acceptable response, and non-violent means of defense should have been prioritized. That being said, I also consider the role the teacher played in this situation, although this does not justify the assault in any way.
I am convinced that Miles needs support in understanding how to react in similar situations in the future without resorting to violence. Therefore, I will impose the following measures... 12 months of probation and 100 hours of community service. If Miles adheres to these conditions and shows progress in his rehabilitation, I will not impose harsher measures, such as detention »
As the verdict was read, both parents breathed a sigh of relief. Without hesitation, Harvey wrapped Donna in his arms, holding her tightly, gently stroking her back, and pressing a soft kiss to her forehead, taking in her scent, which immediately brought him comfort. Watching his parents relax, Miles smiled, grateful to have narrowly avoided severe consequences, and when his gaze met his mother’s, Donna released Harvey and pulled her son into a warm embrace, showering him with kisses while he held her close to him, happy to stay with her. Seconds later, as she pulled back, she lovingly stroked his face and whispered.
« I’m so relieved. Plus, dad is right, you were way too good-looking for prison — Thank you, Jessica »
« It was a pleasure. I always thought one day I’d be in court defending Harvey, but here I am, defending his son... I’d say the legacy is secured »
As the four of them shared a quiet laugh, the parents expressed their gratitude to the brunette one last time before they all left the courtroom. After a brief exchange, they were told that one of the parents would need to come back in about thirty minutes to sign the necessary paperwork once it was prepared, as the family, feeling lighter, decided to celebrate the verdict with ice cream, just like they used to when Miles was younger. Seated on the bench — Donna in her elegant designer dress and father and son both in their Tom Ford suits — a sense of relief settled over them — it was finally over.
Though the trial had concluded with Miles cleared of the charges, it wasn’t just the verdict that had changed their lives. Even though they had never fully concealed their son, bringing him to New York from time to time, acknowledging him, and giving him their last name, now that the trial was behind them, it was only a matter of time before the world would find out -- fully this time. The once-untouchable Harvey Specter, known for his solitary and successful life, was in reality the father of a teenage son, and that revelation was bound to turn heads. But Harvey didn’t care — his son was safe, and Donna was happy — that was all that mattered to him.
About twenty minutes later, Donna went back inside the courthouse to sign the papers, as she held official custody of Miles. This left father and son alone on the bench while the two of them finally had a moment for a father-son conversation. Neither of them was sure how to start, and the silence hung between them until Harvey broke it.
« I’m really glad everything's back to normal »
« I’m sorry, dad »
« Don't be. It’s fine »
« No, really. I didn’t think about you and mom for a second, about how I could’ve ruined your reputation or even made you ashamed. I know my existence was kind of... a secret... but I didn’t want to force you into revealing it, especially against your will »
« Hey. Our family is... dysfunctional. We’ve never done things like everyone else, but mom and I are in no way ashamed of you, on the contrary, we’re really proud. Sure, punching a teacher wasn’t the best idea, but we all make mistakes — hell, I’m living proof of that »
« Yeah… »
« Miles... You know how bad I am at talking about my feelings. I can’t be as expressive as mom is with you, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love you — on the contrary. It's precisely because I love you way too much, that I'm afraid of messing up and that you might hate me for it that I act like this. So I tried to convince myself I did everything right, but thinking about it now, maybe I should've been more there to show you I love you, even if it meant making mistakes. I don't know... I feel like shit not being there enough, but I just want you to know that you and mom, you're the most important things in my life »
« Why don't you tell her that? »
« She knows »
« No, I mean, why don't you tell her you're in love with her? »
« Miles… »
« Because she is, you know »
« She isn’t, Miles. Mom and I... we share a child. That means a lot, but being in love is more than that »
« Do you really think she stayed with you just for me? You’re missing the point. If she wasn’t in love with you, she would’ve taken me and walked away without a second thought. But she didn’t do that — she stayed by your side for sixteen years, and in the end, I’m the one sharing her with you. The difference between us is that you don’t see just how incredible mom really is »
Hearing his son's words, Harvey fell silent, his gaze fixed ahead as a lump formed in his throat. He could feel the anger and desperation in Miles' voice, but before Harvey could respond, the teenager spoke again, his voice barely above a whisper.
« I told her she deserved better than you »
« Do you think I don't know that? I know she's too perfect for me »
« So what? Are you going to make her wait her whole life for something that will never happen? You're my dad, sure, but she's my mom, and I just want her to be happy. So either you finally admit you're in love with her and that you've been too cowardly to say anything, or you let her go — but you can't keep making her hope »
Faced with Miles' blunt tone, Harvey felt like the son in the situation, having to face his own father. At the same time, he wasn’t surprised, in addition to being a wonderful child, Miles was also incredibly mature and intelligent — probably a result of his mother’s genetics, as Harvey, on the other hand, found himself at a loss for words, unsure of how to respond. However, before he could think of anything, Donna walked in, and instantly, both father and son were smiling at her as if nothing had transpired.
« Are you guys okay? »
« Yeah, yeah, why? » asked Miles.
« What did they say? »
« Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City — some organization center or something. Miles is going to do 100 hours of community service as a tutor since his grades were excellent before — it'll allow him to go over everything he messed up starting in March, huh? »
« You messed up? » muttered Harvey with big eyes.
« Can we go home? »
As the teenager brushed off the conversation about what happened in March, the three of them headed to Donna’s house. Again, they all ate together as a family, talking about everything and nothing until Miles yawned and announced he was heading to bed. Once they were alone in the kitchen, Donna sighed softly while tidying up, the weight of the evening settling over her as Harvey watched her for a moment, sensing the tension in the air.
« I’m so relieved »
« Yeah... I knew it wasn’t going to be a big sentence — Miles is an exemplary student — but that teacher was influential. But I was just afraid he’d use his connections to keep the scandal from getting out, you know? I get that, it’s not just about the sentence, it’s about the bigger picture. That kind of power, those connections... it could’ve been a nightmare if he tried to bury it »
« I understand, yeah. But thanks for everything, Harv. I know you spent hours building a defense, and it took a lot of your time and energy »
« He’s our son, Donna. I could never abandon him »
« Yeah. You know, sometimes I still can’t believe it... I mean, the odds of me getting pregnant that night were low, and it still happened. I tell myself it was destiny since he’s so perfect. I mean, we created the most beautiful thing that — »
Without even giving Donna time to finish her sentence, Harvey grabbed her face in his large hands, kissing her passionately, pouring years of frustration and pent-up feelings into the kiss as she moaned in his mouth. For a few seconds, Harvey devoured Donna’s mouth while she remained motionless, shocked by everything that was happening as she tried to understand what was going on, but as she felt Harvey’s tongue against her lips, she pulled away and whispered.
« Please… »
« I’m sorry »
« Don’t do that — we can’t »
« Why not? »
« Because our son just avoided juvenile detention, it’s been a few weeks of stress and anxiety, and we haven't been in the right headspace »
« My head’s more than in the right place, Donna »
« Harv… »
« I had a conversation with Miles earlier, and he said a lot of things that were true. He’s right. You’re absolutely perfect, and you deserve better than me — someone who can easily express their emotions and feelings, someone demonstrative and devoted, someone better than me. And even though I know I should let you go, I can’t. I just can’t. So, I’ve decided to be selfish for a little while longer — like these last sixteen years — but I’m stopping hiding behind our son, using him as an excuse to keep you in my life. It’s just that... I love you, Donna »
For a few seconds, the room was filled with silence. Donna stared at Harvey in shock, while the lawyer, sensing the weight of the moment, began to panic at her lack of response, unsure of what would come next — the tension hung heavy in the air. Realizing the gravity of what he had just said, Harvey took a step closer, gently sliding his hand along her jaw, brushing her cheekbone with his thumb, as his voice softened when he whispered.
« Please, say something »
« I don’t want you to break my heart, Harv »
« It will never happen, Donna »
« You already did once… You left me alone with Miles to pursue your career. You left, and you broke our hearts »
« And there isn’t a day I don’t regret not putting you and him first — but I’m going to make it up to you. I know I had sixteen years to do that, that Miles is grown now, and that we both had lives in between, but I would start it all over again, from the beginning, to be happy with my family — you and Miles — because you’ve been my life for these last sixteen years. Please, Donna, give me a chance to prove that I’m enough for you »
With tears shimmering in her eyes and her lower lip quivering, the redhead stood still as Harvey moved even closer, his lips lightly grazing hers as he whispered softly.
« Please »
It didn’t take much for Donna to give in, and in an instant, they kissed, all their worries vanishing in a second. For a long time, they kissed and they kissed, again and again, barely separating to take a deep breath before starting again, making up for sixteen years of frustration in just a few minutes. With his body, Harvey pushed Donna's until she hit the cabinet behind her in the kitchen, allowing the lawyer to lift her up to sit on it, but as she felt his hands slide under her t-shirt, she pushed him back slightly, whispering against his lips.
« Let's go to my room, I'm making our son's breakfast on this counter »
« Shit — right »
Following Donna's advice, he pulled her against him, the redhead wrapping her legs around Harvey's hips before he blindly walked down the hallway into the secretary's bedroom. In a split second, they were on the bed as they continued to kiss over and over again, hands roaming over each other's bodies as he took off the redhead’s t-shirt.
The last time it happened, they were young, drunk, carefree, and yet they remembered it like it was yesterday — the night they conceived Miles had been the best of their lives. Even today, they thought of it with fond memories, and at 37 and 39 years old, they were happy to see that the same passion and fire from sixteen years ago still burned between them.
So hours later, Harvey finished deep inside her after countless times as Donna moaned into his neck, their bodies sweating against each other while they caught their breaths, Harvey pulling out before falling back down next to Donna, whispering.
« That was way too good »
« Yeah… I almost forgot how good it was » moaned Donna.
« Do you mind if I stay here tonight? »
« It’s fine, just… be dressed and in the living room before Miles wakes up — I just want to… wait a little. You understand? »
« Yeah, yeah, and you’re right, we shouldn’t disturb him »
« Exactly »
« Anyway, you exhausted me » chuckled Harvey.
« Urgh — I’m not even sure I can move anymore »
« I’m glad. I did a good job, then »
« Really good job » giggled Donna.
« Alright, I need to let you recover, then — we should sleep »
« You’re right »
« Goodnight, Donna »
« Goodnight, Harv »
After one last kiss, the newly united couple drifted into sleep in each other's arms, finally at peace for the first time in years — content, with their child nearby — exactly where they were meant to be. Hours passed, and as morning's calm arrived, they slowly awoke, still wrapped in each other's embrace. The first rays of sunlight streamed through the curtains, gently illuminating the room, bringing with them a sense of tranquility they hadn’t experienced in a long time. With his protective arms around Donna, Harvey smiled as he gazed at her — her head resting peacefully on his chest, finally relaxed as he pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, causing her to groan softly in response.
« Hmm »
« Come on, sleepyhead — I need to get dressed »
« Yeah »
Reluctantly, both of them got up, their bodies sore from the night before and slightly sticky from the lack of a shower as they quickly dressed — Harvey slipping into his suit pants and shirt, while Donna threw on a hoodie and comfy pajama pants. They then left the bedroom, careful to speak softly so as not to wake Miles next door, but stopped dead in their tracks when they saw him already sitting at the table, eating his cereal with a bored look on his face.
Miles wasn’t dumb, seeing his parents emerge from Donna’s room so early, with her hair a mess and Harvey still adjusting and zipping his pants, it was clear to him that they hadn’t been just talking. Facing the moment, neither of the adults knew how to handle the situation, and it was Donna who, after a moment of awkward silence, cleared her throat and spoke first.
« Baby, hey, how are you — did you sleep well? »
« Not really. I had trouble sleeping last night because of the... noises » groaned the teen.
« Right »
« Can I use the bathroom? I would like to take a shower »
« Sure, go ahead » smiled Donna.
As Miles got up to head toward the room next to his mother’s, he walked past his parents, casting a glance at Donna that was a mix of annoyance and mild disgust before talking softly.
« By the way, we need to move because there is no way I’m sharing my room with a little brother or sister »
Without another word, Miles continued down the hallway, leaving Donna and Harvey standing there, feeling like two teenagers caught by their parents. A heavy silence settled between them as they stood frozen, caught between the anxiety and relief of a long-avoided conversation. Miles' words hung in the air, but despite everything, they knew that life had never been simple. The road ahead would be full of obstacles, but something had changed — they were ready to face it all, to start fresh, and to rebuild not only their family but their relationship.
This time, they were determined to not repeat the mistakes of the past, they understood that true happiness and love meant giving everything, without holding back. Their eyes then met, and in that moment, there was no doubt — they still had a future to build together.
Miles, a little older and wiser, would come to understand in time, and together, they would move forward, ready to finally live without regret and love each other as they had always dreamed — becoming the family they always wanted to be.