Chapter Text
Now aged nineteen and twenty, Donna and Harvey couldn't have asked for anything better. They had just finished their first year at Harvard, and everything was going according to plan. In the morning, they would wake up in each other's arms, share the bathroom, before leaving their apartments and heading hand in hand to their schools after getting a takeaway coffee. Unfortunately, as much as they would have liked to spend their lunch breaks together, Harvard College for Donna and Harvard Law School for Harvey, were not nearby because of the enormous park of the university that separated them. So every day, after kissing passionately in front of the John Harvard Statue, they each joined their colleges to follow their classes. In the evening, if they finished at the same time, they would join each other, otherwise, one would wait for the other, and if Donna sometimes went home first when she had to wait for too long, Harvey could wait for hours, no matter the weather, just to be there for her with his arrogant smile at the bottom of the stairs. While many people remained convinced that a college couple would not last long, the redhead and the future lawyer had never been that in love and knew that the two of them was for life. If they spent all their time together, because of the final exams, they saw each other less and less. Despite sharing an apartment, Harvey studied in the small room that had become an office, and not a nursery, as the young man had joked a few months ago, while Donna revised in the living room. So now that the exam week was over, the couple were finally reunited and happy to resume their normal lives.
« Let’s stay here tonight »
« Harv, we survived our first exam session. We have to celebrate »
« We can celebrate. Together, just the two of us, in our bed »
« Come on, Mike and Louis will be there, and Rachel is coming too »
« I don’t know » sighed the young boy.
« Please »
For a few seconds, he said nothing, busy thinking about what he really wanted. It had been almost a month now that they had barely crossed paths, too focused on their revisions, a week that they had almost not even seen each other, and Harvey could not have said how long it had been since they had slept together. He missed her, and he just wanted to enjoy this evening together, but he knew that she wanted to go out and was eager to see Rachel again, who was taking law classes at Columbia. Since he couldn’t refuse her anything, he let his head fall back on the mattress before murmuring against the sheets.
« Alright »
« Thank you » smiled Donna as she approached the bed, placing a quick kiss on his lips.
As he propped himself up on his elbows, he watched Donna put on her earrings in front of the mirror, wearing a beautiful dark green silk, hugging her body perfectly, and he couldn't help but bite his lip as he admired her.
« You’re so beautiful »
« You’re handsome too, especially wearing just those boxers, but you should get dressed, we're leaving in ten minutes »
After grunting, he got up from the bed, placing a quick kiss on her bare shoulder before heading to their dressing room and getting dressed. Three hours later, while Donna had found Rachel at a certain point of the evening, Harvey was busy chatting with Louis and Mike while the redhead was being called out by a male voice.
« Donna, hey »
« Thomas? »
« How are you? »
« Good, and you? »
« Great. So, how did the exams go? »
For a few minutes, the two young adults chatted about everything and nothing in a good mood. Thomas was at Harvard Graduate School of Design, and the two had shared several art classes that they had in common. Immediately, they got along very well but had not really had the opportunity to cross paths again. While they were discussing an exhibition that they had both seen recently, Harvey spotted them from afar and felt anger rising when he saw the man a little too tactile with his girlfriend. As he saw one of Donna's classmates pass by, Harvey called out to her to talk to her without taking his eyes off the two young people talking together.
« Hey, Anya? »
« Yeah? »
« Do you know who this is? »
« It's Thomas »
« Thomas? Who the fuck is Thomas? »
« He's at the School of Design, we had some of our art classes with them. With Donna, they got along pretty well, but, did she ever tell you about him? »
« No »
« He’s the one she went to the contemporary art exhibition with last week »
« They went out together? »
« Well, not together, but maybe they met there, I don't know. It was just an exhibition, Harvey »
« Alright »
As Anya walked away, Harvey tensed as Mike placed his hand on his shoulder to give him a squeeze.
« Hey brother, he’s just a friend, don't let your demons take over. She’s not your mom »
« I know » muttered the young man angrily.
As Harvey continued to watch them, when he saw Thomas put his hand on her arm, Harvey freaked out, put his glass on the kitchen counter where the party was taking place before rushing towards his girlfriend and this asshole, hearing Mike call him to hold him back while his whole surroundings blurred around him. Barely in front of Donna, while she looked at him incomprehension, he grabbed her arm before pulling her outside, simply whispering.
« Let's go »
As they found themselves alone outside, the redhead still didn't understand what was happening to her and began her sentence before being interrupted.
« What — »
« Are you kidding me? »
« What are you talking about? »
« What are you playing with Thomas? »
« What? »
« You think I don't see the smiles you give him, that you make soft eyes at him, you — »
« Harvey, stop »
« He touches you, and you don't even react »
« I said stop »
« Don't you ever dare to do it again »
« And you, don't you ever dare talk to me like you’re doing right now. Do you understand? »
Without even waiting for a response from her boyfriend, she forcefully pulled her arm away before going back inside the house. For Harvey, he could feel the panic attack coming: his vision was blurring, his breathing was becoming labored, he was sweating, had a sick feeling, and felt like he had to throw up. He then rushed upstairs to put all the alcohol he had drunk and the shitty Thai they had ordered earlier, back in the bottom of the toilet bowl. He couldn't have said how long he stood there, completely paralyzed by his behavior with his girlfriend, until the door opened and a blonde appeared.
« Oh, sorry »
« It's fine »
« Harvey Specter, right? »
« Yes. You are? »
« Paula Agard, Faculty of Psychology »
« How do you know who I am? »
« Well, I sometimes go to the football games, and I recognize you from there »
« Oh, alright »
« Um, are you okay? »
« Yeah, yeah »
« Are you sure? »
« Yeah »
As Harvey had both his hands on the edge of the sink, facing the mirror, he saw in the reflection the blonde approach before he could speak.
« If you want to talk, I'm here. It's important to talk about what's on your heart, it frees us from a weight »
« Thanks, but I'm not here for a therapy session, and then, we don't even know each other »
« That's true, but hey, sometimes it feels good to confide in a stranger »
Harvey didn't know what to say, he needed to be alone, but his thoughts were eating away at him, and maybe it would do him some good. While his head was down, he felt the young woman's hand on his shoulder, and before he could even react, he felt her lips against the back of his neck. Immediately, he turned around before screaming.
« What the hell are you doing? »
« Sorry, it's just that I've noticed you for a long time, I like you, well, sort of a crush, and — »
« And I have a girlfriend that I love »
« Yeah, I know, but since you two had a fight, I thought that — »
« You didn't think anything at all, get away »
« I’m sorry, I — »
« You better leave, now » shouted Harvey.
« Of course »
Without a word, the blonde left the room, and Harvey found himself alone again in the small bathroom. On the floor below, Donna rushed past, upset about her altercation with her boyfriend, while Mike quickly grabbed her by the arm.
« Hey »
« Mike, don’t »
« You know Harvey »
« I know him, yeah, and I don't need you to defend him »
« I don't want to defend him, I just want you to remember that he loves you, that you're the one for him, and that he's just freaking out at the thought of the same scenario as with his father happening again, to him »
« I’m never going to cheat on him »
« I know, and he knows it too, but you know how he is, he's too scared to lose you »
« Alright, I'll find him » sighed Donna.
« Thanks. He's in the bathroom upstairs »
Donna hurried upstairs, passing a little blonde who seemed in a hurry to leave, and as she found the bathroom, she felt her heart melt as she saw her boyfriend leaning against the bathroom cabinet, his face pale.
« Hey »
« Donna »
« Come on, let's go home »
« I’m so sorry »
« I know »
« I love you so much »
« I know that too »
« And you're the love of my life »
« You are too. Come on, let’s go home »
As she held out her arm to him, he quickly grabbed it to stand up and hug his girlfriend and place a series of kisses on the side of her head while whispering how sorry he was and how he loved her more than anything in the world. Once the young man was more or less reassured, they left the party hand in hand and walked to their apartment. As soon as they passed the door, they rushed to undress to end up naked under the sheets, making up for all the time lost during this last month. As Donna straddled her sitting boyfriend, moaning as Harvey slid her down his length, placing a multitude of kisses on her neck, she heard the young man whisper against her wet skin.
« Marry me »
As her eyes widened, she gently tugged on the back of his hair so that they were looking at each other before the redhead whispered.
« What did you just say? »
« Marry me »
Not even waiting for a response, he flipped them over before resuming his thrusts inside her, but this time much softer and slower while he continued to kiss her neck delicately as he spoke.
« I’ve been wanting to marry you for a year, waiting for the right moment to get down on one knee, but tonight made me realize that I want you to be officially mine, for everyone to know, because I love you more than anything in the world, and I know that you're the one I want to end my days with, I love you so much that it physically hurts sometimes. I want to marry you, so please, say yes »
« Harvey, we're way too young to get married »
« So we'll stay engaged for as long as you need, it's up to you. I just want to show you how much I love you, and I want to end up with you, for everyone to know that no one could ever love you as much as I do. I've been dreaming of putting the ring that's hidden under the bed on your finger for a year now »
« You bought a ring? » whispered Donna between moans.
« The day after we moved in here. I was searching online, and I saw this incredible ring that I'm sure will look great on you, and I had it shipped from New York, you know, so it has a special meaning, and I can't wait to put it on your finger. Please, will you marry me? »
As the two of them continued to make love languidly, feeling the pleasure building inside them, Donna was overcome by her emotions. Between the pleasure Harvey was giving her, and the unexpected marriage proposal, she didn't even know what to say. He then continued to go back and forth, his mouth warm against hers, his hands intertwining his fingers with hers, while he whispered against her lips.
« What do you say? »
After a few seconds, she whispered between two kisses.
« I say yes »
Once the redhead's positive answer, he accelerated the movements inside his girlfriend until both came undone in each other's arms, completely physically and emotionally exhausted by what had just happened.
« I can't believe you agreed to marry me, to become my wife »
« I can't believe you asked me while we were having sex » chuckled the redhead.
« Sorry, I just couldn't wait anymore. I want the world to know you're mine »
« I love you so much »
« Me too »
« But not right away, okay. After our studies »
« I promise »
As they kissed again, Harvey went limp inside her, he then straightened up on his arms placed on either side of her head before placing a quick kiss on her lips and whispering against them.
« The ring »
Hurriedly, he got out of bed while Donna moaned feeling him pull out before laughing softly seeing her boyfriend in a plank position, naked on the floor, retrieving something from under the bed. A few seconds later, he grabbed a box from the floor before chuckling.
« I’m not going to propose naked »
« Of course not » giggled Donna.
Seeing him with one knee on the floor, his bare chest still wet from their activities, and his disheveled hair, she couldn't help but pull the sheet against her chest and feel the butterflies in her stomach.
« Donna Roberta Paulsen, would you do me the honor of becoming my fiancée for an indefinite period before officially becoming my wife? »
As he opened the box that she recognized as coming from Tiffany's, she felt her breath hitch at the sight of the magnificent, probably very expensive, ring that he had bought her. Without even taking the time to answer, she grabbed his face between her two hands to pull him towards her, and Harvey quickly climbed onto the bed above her, straddled her, and gently slipped the ring onto her finger, their lips still against each other before they started making love again, complete naked except for the sparkling ring that Harvey couldn’t stop kissing. A few weeks later, if all their friends and classmates knew, Harvey and Donna had decided not to tell their parents. They knew that the Paulsen would be against such a young engagement, and they didn’t want to explain how Harvey proposed to her during sex. They also know that Gordon or Marcus would obviously tell Lily who would want to get back in touch with Harvey, but the young man sill didn’t want to. So for almost another year and a half, the young couple remained half-secretly engaged while continuing their university studies. As Harvey had just started his last year of Juris Doctor before continuing with his master's degree, Donna was starting the third year of her four-year bachelor's degree, and things were perfect. Despite the sort of routine that had settled in, the two young people were happy with their lives. As the winter exams approached, the two young adults, aged twenty and twenty-one, studied day and night in order to ensure that they maintained their perfect grades and finished their studies with magna cum laude. If for the future lawyer, things seemed to be going well, it was different for the redhead.
« Baby, I'm worried »
« It's okay »
« It's okay? You've been throwing up for a week »
« I know. But I'm stressed, I'm eating badly, I'm not sleeping much, and all that, well, it makes me sick »
« Still, it worries me »
« I know, but look, as soon as I finish the exam session, I'm going to the doctor to make sure I'm alright. Is that okay with you? »
« Good. Thank you »
« Thank you for worrying about me. You're sweet »
After a last kiss, both of them went back to studying until the middle of the night, when they fell asleep from intense fatigue. Only three more days to go. But while Donna woke up Saturday morning after their exam just as smeared as the other days despite being on holiday, Harvey hurried to find a doctor on campus and accompany Donna to the appointment. After a quick blood test, the couple sat in the waiting room until a doctor called the redhead, and Harvey quickly got up to enter the room with her.
« So Miss Paulsen, I read in your file that you came in for vomiting, fatigue, and migraines? »
« Yes. I'm sure it's related to an accumulation of fatigue from winter exams, and on top of that, it's the middle of the cold season, but my fiancé is stressed and wanted me to come in to make sure everything is okay »
« Alright. Let me check your blood test »
For a few seconds, the room was silent, waiting for the doctor to speak, and as he turned to look at them and explain, the couple could see that something was wrong, and Harvey squeezed Donna's hand.
« You're pregnant, Miss Paulsen »
After the announcement, neither of the two young people spoke, too shocked by what they had just learned. How was that possible? Donna was on the pill, but at the same time, zero risk doesn't exist, and they also had a very active sex life, well, having their own apartment helps. Oh my God, what were they going to do? Donna wanted to kill him as she remembered the conversation they had almost three years ago, when her boyfriend proposed to turn the unoccupied room into a nursery, and she had threatened to kill him if he got her pregnant before the end of university, but now that she was for real, they were panicking.
« I guess it wasn't planned? Look, solutions exist, we can consider an abort — »
« No » the couple hastened to answer at the same time.
« Look, I know it’s a lot to take in. I suppose you are still students, the situation is not optimal, but it is up to you to see. According to your blood test, I would say that you are eleven weeks pregnant, and we can consider an abortion up to twenty-four weeks in the state of Massachusetts, but I advise you not to wait that long because it can be psychologically harder for some people. Normally, we are supposed to do the dating ultrasound between ten and thirteen weeks, but I know that it is a big shock, so I will let you think about it, and depending on your decision, we will set an appointment for what you want. Alright? »
« Yeah » murmured the two young people, still in shock.
« I will walk you to the door » smiled the doctor softly.
Their return to their apartment was silent, the two young adults thinking about hundreds of things. Mentally, both of them made lists of pros and cons to know what to do, while keeping their opinions to themselves. They knew they had to talk about it, but it was still too fresh, and they had to digest it. So they went back inside, Harvey zapping on the television, throwing quick and repeated glances towards the office that could become a nursery in a few months, while Donna discreetly slid her hand on her stomach to feel if there was a difference or not as she was cooking. They then ate in front of their series before Donna went to wash, Harvey tidied the kitchen, then switched to find themselves both in the darkness of their bedroom, staring at the ceiling.
« Harv, I think we need to talk »
« I know »
« What do you want? »
« You know exactly what I want »
Of course she did. Between the fights with his father, the breakdown in communication with his mother, and the complicated relationship with his brother, Harvey always told Donna that he dreamed of having his own family. He told her that, as soon as she was ready, he would get her pregnant because he couldn't wait to share a half-her, half-him human. He wanted to create his own family that he would love with all his heart and that it would be mutual, but they hadn't planned it so soon.
« So you want to keep the baby? »
« Donna, it's your body, you decide »
« But we made this baby together »
God, that sounded so weird.
« I know, but you're the one who's going to do all the work, and I don't want my decision to ruin your life. We're young and still in college, and a kid is a big change »
« Yeah, but at the same time, we love each other, we're getting married, we were planning on having a baby right out of college, we're just a few years too early. I mean, we're not the first students on campus to have a kid, right? »
« No, I guess not, but we're all different, and I don't want you to have regrets and hate me later »
« I could never hate you, Harv »
« I’m just saying that it's up to you, you know my opinion on this, but the final decision is yours, and no matter what you choose, I'll support you and I’ll accept it without frustration »
« You're right, I'll think about it »
« Alright »
After that brief conversation, Harvey had fallen asleep pretty quickly while Donna had taken a few more hours. The next day, when she woke up earlier than usual, she was on her back, Harvey lying against her, on his stomach, while his hand was spread out on her belly. It was the first time he had done that, usually, his hand was on the mattress next to her, under her top, gripping her breast, his favorite position, or their fingers were intertwined next to her head, but the belly, he had never done that, and thinking that he had put it there unconsciously in his sleep brought tears to her eyes. After a few quick breaths to calm her emotions, she pulled herself out of Harvey's arms and ran to the toilet down the hall to throw up. As she came back, she saw Harvey coming out of the bathroom to put on sweatpants and a hoodie while she looked at him quizzically.
« Hey »
« Hey, where are you going? »
« I’m going to go for a run, do you mind? »
« No, of course »
« I won't be long, I swear »
As he approached to kiss her, she pulled away, whispering.
« I just threw up, I haven't brushed my teeth yet »
« I don't care, I never leave home without a kiss. Come here »
After a quick kiss, he slid his hand into her hair before disappearing, and Donna lay back on the bed, one hand on her stomach, the other busy scrolling through her phone, looking for pregnancies informations. An hour later, when she finally decided to get up, as she headed to the kitchen, she heard the front door slam and her boyfriend appear in front of her, a drink and a bag in his hand.
« Hey. I got you ginger tea and soda crackers, it was the lady at the store who said it worked well for her »
God, she wanted to cry. He was so adorable, and Donna could already imagine him explaining to a saleswoman that his fiancé was pregnant, had nausea, and that he wanted to help her. She grabbed the iced ginger tea he had gotten her, placing a tender kiss on his lips to thank him before going to sit in the kitchen. As he prepared a protein shake for him, the redhead questioned him.
« What are your plans for today? »
« I have a training today, but I can stay with you, I don't mind »
« Harvey, I'm pregnant, not disabled »
« Right, sorry »
« It's fine, it's cute that you worry like that »
« Yeah » chuckled Harvey, blushing and embarrassed.
The rest of the morning, they got ready together, went to do some shopping, and Donna couldn't help but feel her heart melt seeing all the soda crackers, ginger tea, and lollipops he put in the cart. Once back home, Donna put away the groceries while Harvey got dressed to go to his training. After a quick but passionate kiss, the redhead found herself alone in the apartment, and, as she watched Harvey leave through the window, she felt her heart clench. On the sidewalk, the future lawyer had met Mina, their neighbor downstairs, a single mother in her thirties that Harvey helped a lot with carrying the strollers or the groceries. Seeing her boyfriend chatting with her, high-fiving the toddler, and scratching the baby’s belly in their neighbor's arms, she felt butterflies in her stomach. God, he was going to be an incredible dad. As she was starting to get bored in the afternoon in their apartment, she decided to go shopping to take her mind off things. While she was enjoying a delicious cookie now that the nausea had passed, she stopped dead in front of a baby store, and instinctively went inside.
« Hello, can I help you? »
« Oh, um, I'm just looking, I don't really know what I'm looking for » giggled Donna, a little embarrassed.
« Okay. Is this for you? »
« Yes »
« Congratulations. Is it a first child? »
« Yes, very first »
« A little girl or a little boy? »
« Oh, um, we don't know yet. I'm only eleven weeks pregnant »
« Oh, it's the very beginning then. Any side effects? » smiled the lady.
« Well, I have a lot of morning sickness, but otherwise I'm fine »
« Oh yeah, I remember when I was pregnant with my first, it wasn't just morning, it was also noon and night. A real nightmare, but it’s so worth it »
For a few more minutes, the redhead chatted with the lady and was surprised to see how natural the situation was. Donna, a mother-to-be, was discussing morning sickness in a baby store, and she loved it. As they were chatting about everything and nothing, the lady questioned Donna.
« Are you here to buy the first clothes? »
« Well, actually, without lying to you, I wanted to surprise my fiancé »
« He doesn’t know? »
« He knows, well, we found out yesterday, but since we're twenty and twenty-one and we're in the middle of our studies, we were hesitant, well, I was hesitant. I know he wants a baby, but I felt like we were too young, but I've thought about it, and I'm really looking forward to having a family with him, even if I'm panicking »
« I understand. You know, our situations aren't the same, but I got pregnant with my first child at twenty-three, I had just finished my studies, and my husband was far from having finished his medical studies. And even if it was a little complicated at first, it was really worth it. Today I'm thirty-three, I'm still married and in love with my husband, we have three children, and I find my life perfect as it is »
« Thank you, it really reassures me to hear that. Aside from my fiancé, I'm a little alone in all this »
« I understand, but if you're together and you love each other, the rest will be easy. So, are we looking for a gift to announce to the future dad that he's having a baby in a few months? »
« Sure » chuckled Donna.
After his football practice, Harvey was happy to have had the opportunity to exert himself but was eager to see Donna again. Even if he usually didn't want to be too far away from her for a long time, as if she were his oxygen, now that he knew she was pregnant, he had an even harder time not worrying about her. Personally, he wanted this child. Since he had met the hottie and fallen in love with her, he knew that she had become his family and that he was eager to expand it, but he also understood if she wanted to wait, and he would never blame her for making the decision not to keep it. As he walked home, a bouquet of flowers in hand, he was surprised to see that his girlfriend had set the table with candles and was waiting for him with a small smile.
« Hey »
« Hey. What's the occasion? »
« I wanted to thank you. These last twenty-four hours have been intense, and you've been perfect as always, so I thought it was worth a little candlelight dinner. Besides, I'm sure you're starving »
« Hell yeah »
« Come on, come sit down »
« Alright. Here, this is for you »
« Thanks honey » murmured Donna as she took the bouquet of flowers in her hands, feeling her heart pounding.
The meal then passed in a good mood where they discussed everything and nothing, avoiding the baby’s subject, Harvey was caressing the redhead's hand with his thumb, until Donna got up hastily.
« I saw something today, and I thought of you »
« Really? » chuckled the future lawyer.
« Yeah, here »
As she handed a small white box to her boyfriend, Harvey hurried to open it and felt his heart tighten when he saw the small beige bodysuit she had bought. As he looked at her with eyes filled with tears, Donna began to speak in a trembling voice.
« I know we're young, and it wasn't planned this early, but I really want to have this baby with you, and I think, well, I'm convinced, that you'll be the best dad on earth »
« Donna » choked the young man.
« So, what do you say? »
« I don't want you to feel forced or anything, it's — »
« — my body, I know. And I think we'll have to think about a lot of things during those next months, but it'll work out, I'm sure of it. So, are you on? »
« I’m on, yeah » sobbed Harvey before standing up and grabbing her face and kissing her passionately.
Since they had decided to keep the baby, the two young guys were super excited and were already starting to plan everything. The redhead had made an appointment for an ultrasound in the coming days, and both were impatient at the idea of meeting their baby. Since the gift of the bodysuit, Harvey spent his days taking care of his girlfriend, taking pictures of her, and cuddling her belly that had swollen since the announcement. God, it was driving him crazy, knowing that it was his baby inside, Harvey felt like he couldn't be happier. For the moment, apart from Rachel and Mike, no one knew about Donna's pregnancy, especially since it was winter break and the oversized sweater Donna was wearing didn't raise any suspicions. As he took his phone to check the time, he smiled when he saw his wallpaper: a selfie taken from below, Donna's belly exposed in the foreground, the redhead smiling as she slid her hand into Harvey's hair, who placed a tender kiss on her belly’s bare skin.
« It’s time »
« Harv, come on. She has another patient, it doesn't matter if we wait a few more minutes »
« I want to see our baby »
« Me too, but be patient »
A few minutes later, the obstetrician called Donna and the two young people, and the doctor discussed for long minutes to establish the follow-up file before Donna lay down on the examination table, Harvey took his fiancé's hand in his.
« So I suppose you’re happy about it » asked the doctor with a big smile.
« Yeah, very » replied Donna.
« The timing is not optimal, but we'll manage. We can’t wait » smiled Harvey as he dropped a kiss on the redhead’s lips.
« I can see that. Anyway, this might be a bit cold, alright? »
As the doctor spread the gel on her lower stomach before passing the probe over it, the two young adults felt like they were hallucinating, as if they were in a movie. It was real, it was really happening, they were going to have a baby. As the woman pressed a few buttons, she then turned the screen towards them, and the two future parents' breath caught. They could clearly see the legs, the torso, the head, and most importantly, the little nose. As tears streamed down their faces, the doctor pointed to the different areas, explaining that their baby was now the size of a peach, and, as she continued to slide the probe over Donna's stomach, she abruptly stopped talking before turning the screen a little more towards her and analyzing the image.
« What? » asked Harvey.
« Is there something wrong with the baby? » whispered Donna, suddenly overcome by fear.
« No, no, everything is fine. It’s just — Um, look, Miss Paulsen, you're pregnant with twins »
After that announcement, the room fell silent until Donna giggled nervously as she looked at the doctor.
« Twins? »
« As two babies? » added Harvey with wide eyes.
« Here, let me show you »
Again, she turned the screen towards them and showed them the same ultrasound but zoomed out, and the parents-to-be listened intently as the doctor showed the two babies, one a bit hidden behind the other, while she continued to take measurements and capture photos. Once the appointment was over, neither of them spoke, and Donna locked herself in the bathroom to cry while Harvey's heart broke. He was happy to have two children, and even though he knew it was going to be twice as much work, he was happy to be a father twice, but he understood Donna. Across the room, the redhead was inconsolable. One child was already a lot, she was only twenty after all, but two, she was having a hard time getting used to it, she won’t be able to handle it. For days, Harvey had trouble communicating with her while Donna remained silent and cried discreetly as soon as the future lawyer's back was turned. If she knew that her fiancé wanted to help her, she didn't have the courage. Little by little, she had gotten used to the idea of having a child, she saw how they were going to get by, she was even very happy, but now, with two babies, she didn't feel up to it, she could never be a good mother by taking on two children on top of her studies, she couldn't. So one night, while Donna was channel surfing, Harvey came into the living room, turned off the television before sitting on the coffee table across from Donna and talking.
« It's going to be okay »
« You don't know about — »
« It's going to be okay. Listen »
As he opened a folder with a series of documents, he began to read them in a soft voice while gently caressing her knee.
« You're going to give birth at the end of June, right before the summer break, so we'll have time to take care of them for the first three months. Then, as soon as we start school again, we can put them in one of the six affiliated childcare centers, which are in university spaces. There are two next to the law school, I'll drop them off in the morning and pick them up in the evening, as soon as you agree, I'll register them to be sure to have places. For the bedroom, I've already thought about the small room that's now an office, I measured, and if we put them like that, we can put two cribs in without any problems. We're going to move anyway as soon as we both graduate, so it's not a big deal if the babies share the same room until they're two years old at the most. As for money, you don't have to worry, our studies and part of the apartment are paid for thanks to the scholarship, we can apply for receiving need-based aid from the college to pay for the nursery and other things, I've already found a second job thanks to my coach, and it's a night job just for the duration of the pregnancy. After that, it will be my master's degree, which I'll complete in two years instead of one, that way, I can have a real job in the meantime, and you can finish your studies in peace. While we study, we can ask my father to watch them, he only lives about twenty minutes from here, and he's not planning a tour at the moment, so we'll go back and forth every day to see them just during the time we’re studying, I promise you »
Seeing Donna crying, he quickly put the papers down next to him before rushing to straddle Donna, paying attention not to compress her stomach, while he placed kisses on her face, holding her tight against him.
« It's going to be fine, okay? »
« Okay » sniffed Donna before her fiancé kissed her passionately.
And he was right, at the end, it went fine. Harvey had stopped practicing football and devoted his time to his family and his studies. He woke up around four in the morning, worked at the reception of a gym open twenty-four hours a day on campus a few blocks from his house, taking advantage of these quiet hours to study, before joining the redhead again at their place, walking to the campus, spending his days in classes, and finally returning to the apartment to spend the evening with Donna and the babies. For Donna, the pregnancy was going great, and she was surprised to be so comfortable despite carrying two babies inside her. With Harvey, they had announced the news to their parents, and the opinions were mixed. If Gordon and Marcus were happy, Laurel was not really sure while Jim was furious, but seeing the young couple manage, having planned everything, and all the efforts Harvey made to make sure that the redhead lacked nothing, they had warmed up a little to the idea of being grandparents soon. Of course, he hadn't said that they were engaged for almost two years, one surprising piece of news at a time. For classes, the redhead didn't want to be treated differently and continued to go every day and perform like a pro. Meanwhile, both of them were excited about being parents, and Harvey was happy every time his fiancé's belly grew an inch. At the second ultrasound, when the parents-to-be had learned they were having two little girls, Harvey was so happy with the news and rushed to buy pale pink paint on the way home, starting that same evening to paint his two princesses' room while Donna melted in front of his excitement. Each ultrasound was even more emotional than the one before, each little item of clothing bought made them crazy with joy, and each little kick made the lawyer want to cry with emotion. In mid-May, while the couple was in the final exam session, both were eager to finish so they could enjoy their summer break and the end of Donna's pregnancy to welcome their children. As Donna was taking her last exam on Russia's Golden Age: Literature, Arts, and Culture, she had been feeling a little sick to her stomach since the morning but blamed the stress for it and didn't worry too much. Once her paper was handed in, she wandered around the hallways of the college while checking the time: two and a half hours, Harvey still had three hours of exams, and she didn't have the courage to go home and then come back, so she decided to wait for him in a cafe near the law school and call Rachel while waiting. Before leaving her building, she made a detour to the bathroom, and as she was about to pee, she heard a sound like a flask and looked down to realize that it wasn't a normal color. Quickly, feeling a sharp pain in her lower back, wandering towards her stomach, Donna understood: the twins had decided to arrive earlier than expected. Not wanting to panic, she took a deep breath, got dressed before leaving the school. She had time, the contractions could last for hours, and she was not at all ready to give birth anyway. So she walked at her ease to the law school, took a seat in front of the room where Harvey was taking his exam and waited for him to finish. Donna had to consider herself lucky, despite being eight and a half months pregnant, she was not very big and moved around without too much trouble. From the outside, one could have believed that she was only in her second trimester, and so she had no problem reaching her fiancé school in about ten minutes. While she was now sitting on a bench, one hand scrolling on her phone, the other gently caressing her little belly, she waited patiently for him to come out so she could go to the hospital. Luckily, the contractions were only every twenty minutes, and for the moment, it was bearable. After more than an hour and a half of waiting, the contractions were more and more painful, but it was okay, she could hold on a little longer, but as she winced at a new wave of pain, a professor passed in the hallway and looked at her.
« Are you okay, miss? »
« Yes, thank you »
« Are you waiting for someone? »
« Yes, my fiancé is taking his business valuation and analysis exam there, I'm waiting for him to come out »
« Oh, okay. If I may, how far are you? »
« Eight and a half months »
« Oh, soon then »
« Well, they planned to arrive earlier than expected » chuckled the redhead while caressing her belly.
« What do you mean? »
« I have a few contractions, but it's okay. I'm waiting for him to finish, and then we'll go to the hospital »
« Does he know you're here? »
« No, but there's a little over an hour left, and I'll hold out until then, no problem »
« Miss, I'm sorry, but I have to warn him »
« No, really. Let him finish his exam at his leisure, I'm fine, it's just — Ow »
As she grimaced again, the old professor came a little closer before grabbing her hand and squeezing.
« Miss, what's your fiancé's name? »
« I promise you it's fine, I — »
« Miss. Please »
« Harvey. Harvey Specter »
« Alright »
As Harvey read his exam paper for the hundredth time, he sighed. This was the last exam, and after that, he'll be able to enjoy his vacation with Donna, he couldn't wait. As he reached the bottom of the page, he saw the door to the auditorium fly open and an old man enter and start talking.
« Is Harvey Specter here? »
« Yeah? »
« Your fiancé is waiting for you, it looks like your children decided to come earlier than expected »
« What? » shouted Harvey with wide eyes.
« Hey honey »
As he turned his head, he saw Donna's head pop out of the door frame and flash him a big smile, while he had no idea what to do for a few seconds. Once back on earth, he stood up, grabbed all his stuff, and ran down the stairs of the auditorium to throw his copy on the supervisor desk and run towards Donna.
« Finish your exam first » said the redhead.
« I’m done, let's go »
It was on those last words that the entire auditorium saw one of their classmates grab his fiancé's hand and pull her into the hallway before the door closed behind them. After a quick trip to the apartment, the young couple found themselves an hour later in the hospital room, Donna suffering, while Harvey paced the room.
« Can you stop, it makes me dizzy »
« Sorry, I’m just freaking out »
« I know » smiled Donna.
Even though the wait between their arrival at the hospital and the start of labor had lasted hours, what followed had passed quickly, and the moment when the two new parents had heard the cry of their first baby, it was as if time had stopped. A few minutes later, it was the turn of the second baby to make her entrance to the world, and a few hours later, while they were both sitting in the hospital bed, each one holding a baby in their arms, Harvey felt the tears flow uncontrollably down his face, as if he had just realized how his world changes in only a few hours.
« Thank you »
« You're welcome »
« You were incredible, I can't believe you did this »
« Yeah.. Sorry for your hand, by the way » chuckled the redhead.
« Oh, it's the least I could do. I felt so stupid and useless » giggled Harvey.
For a few seconds, neither of them said anything, too obsessed with the two little redheads to say anything.
« Look at them, they are perfect » whispered Harvey as he stroked the baby's little clothed foot.
« Yeah. Hey Juliet » whispered Donna as she slid her finger over her little belly.
« And hey Alice » added Harvey as he placed a kiss on the little forehead.
That was it, they were a family. For three days, Donna's parents, Gordon, Marcus, and their friends had come to visit them until they went home. In the meantime, they had received the results, and despite the chaotic end of the year, both had done very well in their years: Donna was about to start her final year, and Harvey had finished his Juris Doctor with summa cum laude, missing the graduation ceremony, too tired to move. For almost three months, the new parents were happy that Donna had given birth just before the break, because the nights were short and taking care of two babies at the same time was quite challenging. But in early September, when it was time to go back to school and drop off their two babies at daycare, Donna cried all night, panicking at the idea of being away from them for too long. If Harvey was devastated too, at least one of them had to be reasonable, so it was the new dad who took charge, they had no choice anyway. Quickly, a routine set in: they got up, woke up their babies, went to get a takeaway coffee on the way, kissed passionately in front of the John Harvard Statue, Donna covered her two babies with kisses before going to her college, while Harvey made a detour to daycare before going to law school when his fiancé didn't have time to drop them off with him. In the evening, depending on who finished first, they went to pick up the twins from daycare before going home. Now twenty-one and twenty-two, the two youngsters were handling the situation like pros. Harvey was changing diapers while studying economic law when Donna was reciting her plays in the living room, a baby in her arms, hoping to lull her to sleep. In the morning, as they both sat opposite each other on the couch before class, each holding a baby against them, feeding them a bottle, Donna read the cards Harvey had prepared and quizzed him about American democracy as the future lawyer answered all her questions accurately. After a few minutes, Harvey looked at her with a small smirk before she started laughing softly.
« What? »
« We’re handling it like pros, no? »
« Obviously »
« High five, mommy »
« Hell yeah, daddy »
As they both leaned forward to high five each other, they couldn’t help but smile big. It's true that they were doing pretty well, and even if the student parties, hangovers, and outings were over now, they were happy with their current lives and realized that this is what they had wanted for so long: a family. While Harvey started his master's degree and had fewer classes so more time for his family, Donna was finishing her cursus and had her big oral exam at the end of the year, which took up a lot of her time. While she was acting in the living room, still wearing her pajama with a bun on the top of her head, Harvey was sitting on the couch, the two ten-month-old babies against him, watching the redhead, totally obsessed with her acting, as he couldn't help but fall in love again and again with his fiancé.
« So, how was it? »
« Wow »
« Apart from that? »
« You're perfect, absolutely hypotizing »
« Urgh, I don't even know why I'm asking you, you're not objective and have no critical sense »
« Of course I do »
« You sleep with me, and we have babies together, of course you're not objective »
« You're perfect, you're going to rock, babe »
As predicted by the recent lawyer, Donna swung through her grand oral and was quickly graduated summa cum laude like her fiancé, as Harvey was in the front row, applauding his girl as she took the podium to receive her diploma while the two babies on his lap repeated « mama mama » as soon as she appeared. Once again, the young parents took advantage of the summer break to devote themselves body and soul to their children, as they could not do the rest of the time until they started school again and the little family resumed their daily routine. For another year, Harvey finished his master's degree while Donna took some secondary school for a year to gain more skills and finished her classes at the same time as Harvey while the two little girls continued to go to daycare. At the end of the year, this time, it was Harvey's turn to go up on the podium while the two little girls, who were walking and talking by now, shouted « daddy » as soon as he got on the podium to shake hands while Donna tried to make them stay seated, but nothing worked, they were too excited. At the same time, at two years old now, the twins had a lot of energy, and both parents spent most of their time outside so that they could tire themselves a bit. After the ceremony, Donna took the time to take pictures of her partner proudly wearing the traditional Harvard graduation outfit with the two little redheads hanging at his neck, seated on each hip thanks to the lawyer’s arms, as they shared the same smirk as their father. A few hours later, after all these celebrations and emotions, the couple had to decide.
« We said New York » whispered Harvey as they were in bed, their babies between them.
« But we didn't plan on two kids »
« I know, but we've gotten by so far, right? There's no reason for that to change. Let's go to New York »
« Alright »
With that agreement, they left the Cambridge apartment where they had experienced so much, their studies, their engagement, the birth of their children, and today, at twenty-three and twenty-four, the couple was going to continue their stories in New York, the city they had been aiming for since they were together. If everything had gone perfectly in Massachusetts, things were different in the big city. One morning, they dropped their children off at Donna's parents' and had gone on a city trip looking for a place to live, and even if things seemed complicated, they were nostalgic. If having children had forced them to grow up quickly and they had no regrets, finally feeling home when they were each other and the two little girls, for two days, they felt like they were teenagers again as they spent their days walking the streets of New York hand in hand and their nights making passionate love for hours. After twenty apartments visited or so, they finally found something that wasn’t too bad, a small and out of the way flat, with two bedrooms on the 3rd floor without an elevator, and even if it was not what they were hoping for, it was enough, and above all, it was temporary. For more than two months, Harvey and Donna accumulated small jobs in Connecticut to build up a cash reserve to finally leave at the beginning of October for New York. Harvey was directly hired in the mail room at Gordon Schmidt Van Dyke, a large firm in Manhattan, while Donna was a waitress while passing a few auditions, and even if the ends of the month were sometimes hard, just seeing their children running and having fun in Central Park, the two parents had no regrets. One day, while Harvey was busy working, he realized that an associate backdated a postage when he missed a filing and had no idea what to do about it.
« What am I supposed to do? »
« What's right, honey »
« Donna, I can't lose this job. We're already tight on money, I'm afraid I'll blow the whistle and they’ll fire me »
« I know, but I don't want to be the one telling you what to do. I must admit I don't even understand what this is all about »
« Yeah »
After his conversation with his fiancé, Harvey did what she told him: to do what was right. So the next day, he went up to the sixtyth floor and knocked on the glass door.
« Yes? »
« Mrs. Pearson, my name is Harvey Specter, and I work at the mail room. I came because I'm found some documents and I wanted to talk to you »
For a few seconds, he was silent before showing the various documents to the lawyer, telling her that if the firm did not declare misconduct, he would report them to the D.A. and waiting for a response from her. After a while, Jessica murmured, her nose still in the file.
« Why did you hesitate before giving me this information? »
« Because I have two children at home and I can't lose this job, but at the same time, I don't want to be a liar, I have to do what's right »
« How old are you, Mr. Specter? »
« Twenty-four, almost twenty-five »
« And you have children? »
« Yes. With my fiancé, we have two little girls, they are two »
« Have you been to college? »
« Harvard Law School. I just graduated, but I needed a job fast, so I’m in the mail room for now, waiting for a real opportunity to come »
« Have a seat »
Surprised, Harvey settled in, and while he expected to be fired and was already thinking about how to tell the love of his life that New York was over for them, Jessica interrupted his thoughts.
« Here's what I propose to you. You work five years for the DA's office as an assistant for the New York District Attorney to get trial experience, and then, I hire you here, at Gordon Schmidt Van Dyke, as a sophomore associate »
« You're not serious? »
« I am. You are a serious man, Mr. Specter. At twenty-four, you work hard to support your family, you graduated from Harvard, and yet, instead of waiting for a high position to open up for you like every other asshole I met, you do a thankless job to provide for your children. It's very honorable »
« I don't know what to say » murmured Harvey.
« Just say yes. Plus, you're going to go from a salary of what? $50,000 a year, to a salary of $150,000. I think it might help you with your kids »
« Mrs. Pearson, I don't know how to thank you »
« Get your experience at the DA's office, and when you come back here, become the best lawyer this firm has ever known »
« I won't disappoint you. I swear »
That evening, as he came home with a bottle of champagne, a huge bouquet of flowers for his fiancée, and mini ones for his daughters, Donna was surprised to see him so excited as he threw himself on her lips.
« Daddy! »
Before she could even ask questions, the two little girls came running towards him, and Harvey quickly put everything on the table before taking them in his arms, throwing himself into their couch with them, then covering them with kisses while they laughed out loud because of their dad’s silly behavior. Facing her partner and their children, Donna felt her heart melt and quickly sat down on the coffee table in front of them to look at her fiancé, who was lying on his stomach, above the little girls who were on their little backs, while they all looked back at her. Even if the twins were carbon copies of the redhead, Donna couldn't help but see some features of the love of her life, and that was what she loved the most about creating them with him.
« So? » asked Donna.
« Well, daddy just got a job offer where he'll earn more, and he'll be able to please the three loves of his life even more » smiled Harvey as he dropped kisses on the two small clothed bellies.
« No way? »
« Yeah. Assistant for New York District Attorney »
« You kidding? »
« I’m not. And in five years, I'll be a sophomore associate at Gordon Schmidt Van Dyke, in one of the biggest law firms in New York »
« Oh my God, honey. I'm so proud of you » murmured Donna before joining them on the couch for a family hug, the three redheads of his life in his arms.
The rest of the evening, the four of them stayed glued to each other in their small apartment, celebrating Harvey's promotion. Even though the twins didn't understand, they were excited to see their parents so happy. A few weeks later, when Harvey had picked up the kids from daycare, and was waiting patiently for his fiancé to come home, he felt his heart break when he saw her going straight to the kids, exhaustion on her face. The competition in Broadway was tough, there were a lot of pull strings, and even though she had landed a few small roles over the months, she continued her job as a waitress and came home exhausted from her days. Once the kids were in bed, Harvey took advantage of being alone with the redhead to sit next to her and talk to her in a soft voice.
« Hey, can we talk for five minutes? »
« Sure, what's wrong? »
« I want you to stop working »
« What? You're crazy, you don't make enough money yet, and I don't want to be a stay-at-home mom »
« That's not what I meant, I want you to stop being a waitress. You're exhausted, and I can see that you feel guilty about not being home for the kids like I am »
« I have no choice, Harvey »
« Become a legal secretary and come work for me »
« What? »
« At the DA’s office, we all have secretaries, and they pay well, better than waitressing. On top of that, your boss sets your schedule, so I’ll do everything for you to come to my desk, and that will allow you to have office hours. And I must admit that I will be less anxious at the idea of knowing you sitting behind a desk rather than in bars, exhausting yourself »
« Legal secretary, Harvey »
« You will be perfect. You need good oral expression: you are an actress, we can’t do better. You also need rigor and organization, which you have, the house would not hold without you. Uhm, what else? Yeah, a good presentation, and I’m sorry, but there is no one classier and sexier than you, and on top of that, you are fast and you adapt quickly. In general, you get a certificate in 3 to 6 months, but you can do it faster if you want »
« I don’t know, Harvey »
« Why not? »
« What if I can't do it? » muttered the redhead.
« Why do you mean? You graduated from Harvard Drama School with flying colors, getting your certificate will be so easy »
« I’m not talking about that. What if I can't make it on Broadway? I've based my whole life around it, and look at me, I'm accumulating small shitty roles, without ever landing anything, and I'm afraid that if I get a permanent job, I'll miss my chance to get on stage one day »
Seeing the tears slowly running down her cheeks, he hurried to approach, slide his thumbs under her eyes before taking her face in his hands.
« Baby, look at me. We've only been here for six months, we knew this kind of thing took time, but it's okay. We are happy here, we offer the best life possible to the girls, and you will continue to audition until the leading role is for you, no matter how long it takes. I promised you this dream life, and I will keep my promises. Alright? »
« Alright »
« Come here »
They then shared a kiss full of love and promises before spending the evening watching how the redhead could get her certificate. In two months, thanks to intense work and Harvey's help, Donna got it, and barely a week later, she was waiting on the desk in front of her fiancé's office, a black coffee in hand, one sugar, two splashes of vanilla, while she looked at him with a look full of innuendo.
« I didn't know I had a kink for secretaries until now »
« What happened to the: we won't tell anyone we're together so people won't say I'm here because I have sex with my boss? »
« You have sex with your boss »
« Harv »
« There's no one around »
« You better be careful, Mr. Specter, people might think you're hitting on your secretary »
« Well, that's exactly what I'm doing, Mrs. Specter »
« Not yet »
« But soon » smirked the lawyer.
« Anyway, even though I love it when you look at me like that, we have to get to work, right? »
After that, life was simpler at the Specters. They moved to be closer to Manhattan, enrolled the two little girls in kindergarten near the DA's, Harvey took care of the children in the morning, then went to the office to advance on as many different cases as possible, while Donna took the children to school. In the evening, they were leaving the office together when they had the opportunity, and then, spent the evening enjoying quality time with their children. If the couple remained rather discreet about their private lives, the rumors about them at the DA’s did not stop. Everyone knew that the redhead was married or engaged thanks to the enormous ring she wore on her finger, and suspected that she had children given the cuddly toys in her bag or the many times she left the office to go get them when they were sick, but no one knew the identity of the father, not even his name. As for Harvey, everyone thought he was single, but that didn't stop people from speculating about them as soon as they saw them leaving the office together or simply talking and laughing together, spreading rumors that the redhead was cheating on her partner with her boss. But in reality, they didn't care, their lives were perfect, and they didn't want to change it. During the two years the couple worked at the DA's, Donna continued the auditions while Harvey gave his best to learn as much as possible and become an incredible lawyer. Jessica dropped by from time to time to see how her protégé was doing and was happy to see that she had guessed right, that Harvey would be an interesting asset to the firm later. One Saturday afternoon, while the two parents were eating ice cream in Central Park with their children, the lawyer was looking for some extra napkins to wipe the twins' little mouths full of chocolate ice cream as he heard a voice call out to him behind him.
« Harvey? »
« Jessica? »
« I didn't expect to see you here »
« Well, I — »
« Daddy! Mommy said to get some more napkins »
As he saw the mini copy of his fiancée approaching him, both hands in the air and full of chocolate ice cream, with wide eyes, the lawyer couldn't help but laugh as he crouched down to wipe her hands.
« Here. There is this. All clean »
« Thank you, daddy »
After dropping a quick kiss on his cheek, the little redhead ran again to join her sister and mother again as Harvey stood up and looked at Jessica, who smiled at him.
« I have to say I feel relieved »
« And why is that? »
« Whenever I passed by the DA's and I saw the way you were looking at her, I felt sorry for the mother of your children. But now that I see your daughter, I think there is no doubt that your fiancé and your secretary are the same person »
« She was not my secretary when we got engaged »
« How long have you been together? »
« Almost ten years »
« Wow »
« Yeah, even though I was just a kid when I met her, I knew right away that I was going to marry her and build my life with her »
« Why aren't you two married yet? »
« It's planned. But I want to give her the wedding of her dreams, so I started saving up seven years ago, but between the surprise arrival of our children and living in New York, I don't have much savings right now »
« Well, you'll soon be able to give her the wedding of her dreams »
« Why do you say that? »
« I want you to come to work earlier than expected »
« At Gordon Schmidt Van Dyke? »
« It's Pearson Hardman now »
« I can't believe it »
« Will she come to the firm with you? »
« I hope not »
« Excuse me? »
« She is an actress. Theater. So I hope that by then, she will land a big role and that she will finally be able to realize her dream. But if in between she won’t, yeah. I won’t come without her »
« Alright. I’ll give you a call »
« Perfect »
As Jessica continued to walk with Harvey, she faced the rest of the family and couldn't help but smile as she saw the secretary and the two mini copies sitting on her lap, facing her, while the three of them chatted together.
« Donna »
« Mrs. Pearson »
« I have to say, I didn't expect his secretary to be his own fiancé, but I'm not really surprised. Congratulations, by the way, your children are beautiful »
« Thank you » smiled the redhead as she stroked the backs of the two little girls who were hanging around her neck.
Once Jessica left, Harvey sat back down at the table with his fiancé and children as the redhead looked at him questioningly.
« What did she say? »
« She wants me to go to her firm earlier than expected »
« You’re kidding? » chuckled Donna.
« No, she’s gonna call me when it’s okay »
« Oh my God baby, this is so good »
« So good » repeated the twins together without even knowing what their parents were talking about.
For a few more minutes, they all chatted together before walking through Central Park to go home. The days passed, the couple continued to work at the DA's office during the day before spending the evening with the little twins, who were now five years old, and enjoying each other at night. A few days later, they were sitting in their usual booth in that café after a day of work, having a coffee for each parent, and a waffle for the twins. While they were enjoying their snacks and listening to the little girls explain their days, they were interrupted by Harvey's phone.
« Hello? »
« Harvey, it's Jessica »
« Jessica, hello »
« Am I disturbing you? »
« No, no, you’re not. Tell me »
« I just wanted to know if you could be at the firm Monday at eight o'clock? »
« Of course, I'll be there »
« Will your fiancé and your secretary be there too? »
« I have to see, but I'll keep you posted. Thank you, Jessica »
« You're welcome, Harvey. See you Monday »
After hanging up, Donna, who was busy helping Alice finish her waffle, looked at him with a questioning look.
« I start Monday »
« I’m so happy for you, you deserve it, honey »
« I’m so happy too, I'm finally going to be able to give you the dream life I promised you »
« I already have the dream life » smiled Donna as she held out her hand to caress his jaw.
« But we have to talk about something else »
« What? »
« Are you coming with me or not? »
« God, I don't know. I think I — »
As she was about to give an answer, they were interrupted again, but this time, it was the redhead’s phone.
« Unknown number »
« That's weird » murmured Harvey as he cuddled and dropped lots of little kisses on Juliet’s face, who was sitting on his lap now.
« I’ll see, maybe it's important — Hello? »
« Hello. Am I speaking to Mrs. Paulsen? »
« Yes, it's me »
« Hello, I'm Uma Bukoski, the director of the Richard Rodgers Theatre's Hamlet production »
Immediately, Donna grabbed Harvey's hand and squeezed it tightly as the lawyer looked at her with wide eyes, worried to know what was going on while the two twins looked at their mother with the same wide eyes as their father.
« Hello Mrs. Bukoski »
« I’m calling to congratulate you. You got the role of Ophelia »
« Oh my God, I — Thank you very much »
« It's us who thank you, Mrs. Paulsen. Your audition was breathtaking, we were all charmed by your performance, we are delighted to have you among us »
« Thank you. Thank you very much »
After a few minutes of talking about the practical side, Donna hung up before looking at Harvey with wide eyes.
« What? Are you okay? »
« I got it »
« What? »
« Hamlet. I got the lead role, I’ll be Ophelia »
« Oh my God, babe » shouted Harvey.
Immediately, he stood up from the booth, Juliet still in his arms, before sliding next to Donna and hugging her with all his might. For a few seconds, they stayed like that, in shock, tears slowly running down Donna's cheeks while tears gathered in Harvey's eyes.
« I’m so proud of you, baby. So proud »
« I can't believe it » muttered the redhead.
« Baby, the lead role. And on top of that, Ophelia, your favorite theater character, it's incredible »
« I’m so happy »
« Me too. I love you so much, Donna »
« Me too »
Feeling that the two little girls were no longer the center of interest of their parents, who were lost in a languorous kiss, Alice put her hand on her father's cheek, who reluctantly separated from his fiancé's lips before turning to their daughters, who were looking at him with the same look as their mother.
« What's going on, daddy? »
« Mommy is gonna be a star » smiled Harvey as he placed a kiss on Alice's forehead.
« But mommy is already a star » replied Juliet as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
« That's true, but before, she was our star, now, she's going to be a star for the world »
« For the world? You're not exaggerating a little? » chuckled Donna as she placed a kiss on his jaw.
« I’m not, no. You're going to be incredible. I can't wait to come see you on stage »
« Me too »
After the calls, on Friday, Harvey and Donna resigned from the DA's office, and on Monday morning, Harvey started at Pearson Hardman while Donna attended her first rehearsal. For months, the lawyer won case after case, while the redhead endlessly practiced her lines in the living room in front of her biggest fans: her family. One day, as Harvey was going to join Donna at the theater, he heard the twins scream.
« Daddy, look! It's mommy »
In front of them, on the facade of the Richard Rodgers Theater, a series of large posters were displayed, and on them, the mother staged in different costumes. Proud of his fiancé, Harvey invited the two little girls to stand in front of the poster while he bombarded them with photos. A few days later, when Gordon came from Boston to babysit his grandchildren, Harvey had put on his best tuxedo, had reserved a seat in the front row, and had been waiting for almost half an hour for the theater to open, a huge bouquet of flowers in his hand, to attend the redhead’s premiere. Once inside, he waited patiently for the beginning of the play, and, as she appeared for the first time on the stage, he felt his breath catch. At that moment, he had the feeling of being eighteen again, and of seeing the girl he had fallen madly in love with, performing in the small theater of their high school. For more than two hours, he remained obsessed with her, never taking his eyes off her, except when his acting partner kissed her, that bothered him, he didn’t know. But as soon as the play was over, the lawyer was the first to stand up to applaud with all his might while informing his neighbors in the row that it was his wife who was performing, even if it was not yet the case, but soon. Once everyone had left, he had himself accompanied to the dressing room and knocked softly until the redhead opened the door. As soon as he saw her, without waiting, he slid his arm around her waist to lift her against him, holding the flowers in the other hand while Donna wrapped her legs around his hips and her arms around his neck while they kissed passionately for a few minutes.
« You were incredible »
« You loved it? »
« I adored it, except when you were kissing that guy. I could have gone on stage to French kiss you, teeth, tongue, and everything, just to show him that I’m the only one who can touch your lips »
« Don't worry, honey. I told him that I had a very jealous baby daddy and that it was better not to kiss me. So when we get to that scene, he puts his hands on my face, and his two thumbs on my mouth, like that, our lips don't touch »
« Oh, really? » smirked the lawyer.
« Yeah »
« How about you show me? »
As she put her hands on his jaw, her thumbs perpendicular to his lips, before approaching, Harvey sighed when he saw that indeed, their lips weren't touching, so barely a second later, he removed his fiancé's hands before kissing her passionately for a moment until Donna broke away.
« As much as I would have loved to continue this, we have to go home for the kids »
« Actually.. » smirked Harvey.
« What? »
« We're not going home tonight »
« What do you mean? »
« You have faith in me? »
« Always »
« Alright, follow me »
He laced his fingers through hers, grabbing her things as she followed him to the waiting cab outside the theater. A few minutes later, as the driver pulled up in front of a large hotel, the lawyer got out of the car before holding the door open for her to get out.
« Oh my God »
« Do you remember? »
« How can I forget, Harv. It was an incredible getaway »
« Let's go »
A few minutes later, as they found themselves in the same room as nine years ago, she couldn't help but feel emotional. As she remembered those moments, she felt his lips on the back of her neck and Harvey's hands slide over her stomach. Soon, the couple found themselves under the sheets feeling like they were eighteen again, traveling in the city they dreamed of conquering, without their parents even knowing about their relationship. After hours of intense pleasure, Harvey’s arms gave up, and he fell back on Donna, panting, trying to catch his breath as he dropped soft kisses on her wet cleavage.
« That was — » started Donna.
« — Incredible » finished Harvey.
« Yeah »
« And so hot. God, I can't believe you're that sexy »
« We should leave the girls with our parents more often »
« Not too often either » chuckled the lawyer.
« I bet »
« Hey »
« Hum? »
« Do you remember what I told you when we came on a getaway here. I promised you that I would give you the life you want here in New York, that I would work for a big firm in Manhattan, and I would make lots of money, so I could offer you everything you want. I promised you that we'll get married and have beautiful babies together while you'll be a big star on Broadway, and I'll come see you every night on stage and never get tired of it »
« I remember »
« Well, I think everything turned out pretty well, no? We're in New York, I work in one of the biggest legal firms in Manhattan, maybe even in the State of New York. Even if I'm not rich, I think I earn enough to offer you everything I want you to have. We're not married, but it won't be long either before it happen, and we have two beautiful babies together who are absolutely perfect. And as for you, you did it, you're on Broadway, and you nailed it. Unfortunately, I won't be able to come see you on stage every time because I sometimes have to work and look after our two little princesses, but I'll never get tired of seeing you on stage, never »
« You promised me the perfect life »
« And? »
« It’s more than perfect »
« You're the one who's perfect »
« You know, I would never have done this with anyone else, thank you » whispered Donna as she snuggled against him.
« You're the one I should thank, you gave meaning to my life, and you saved me from all my demons »
« You're welcome »
« I love you »
« I love you too. So damn much » muttered Harvey.
With those last words, they fell asleep in each other's arms, thinking about how they had the life they had always hoped for, and even better. Donna, a young teenager with unattainable dreams in her head and the feeling of never being able to achieve them because she was not good enough, was today the main actress of a play that would be a success for many years in New York, mother of two absolutely perfect and loving little girls, and wife of the most perfect man in her eyes who devoted himself body and soul to her. As for Harvey, the young rebellious and arrogant teenager who no longer believed in anything and in anyone, refusing to believe that he could be loved, was today one of the best lawyers of his generation, father of two little redheads with features identical to the love of his life, who loved him for who he was, and married to the only person on earth who had seen him for who he was and who today, accepted him with his qualities and his flaws, never abandoning him.
If a few years ago, you had told them that their childhood sweethearts would become their lifelong loves, they would have had a hard time believing it. And yet, almost ten years later, they were living in New York, the job of their dreams, adorable children, sharing their daily lives with their soulmates.
That was their perfect lives.