"It's true, it's all true. My mother….I mean…Evelyn," she said as more tears streamed down her young angelic face, "she died last night. She had been dying for awhile now from Cancer. I heard her confess everything to the priest. They didn't know I could hear them. That bastard wasn't even going to tell me. He left the house as if he knew nothing. I still couldn't believe it; but, then I found an older diary of hers in the attic. All the proof I needed was in there. She wrote how she couldn't conceive and how much she wanted a child. How she and Darren couldn't afford to adopt, all of this bull shit."
She started to cry again. He didn't say a word. He simply walked over to her and hugged her close. He held her for a few minutes before he said anything.
"It's okay now. We'll get through this together, I promise. You're home, you're finally home."
A NEW LIFE…
Harvey walked in his office, sat in his chair and took in a deep, serene breath. Mike was the first in his office.
"How does it feel to be back after a five week sabbatical?" Mike asked.
"It was amazing, challenging; but, amazing."
Mike smiled, "You know, I honestly thought you would cave and somehow find a way to come back sooner."
"Believe me, not a day went by I didn't think about the office; but, as soon as I would look at Charlie I knew I was in the right place to be at the time. I needed to be with her just as much as she needed to be with me. She has been going to therapy twice a week and it's really helping her. It was only five weeks but I do feel we have both come a long way. We talked, we cried and we managed a few laughs in between. I know we still have a ways to go; but, so far so good," Harvey smiled with a slight faraway look in his eyes.
"Talked, cried, and laughed? Okay, the Harvey I know is not much for sitting around and sharing feelings let alone expressing them; who are you?" Mike asked jokingly.
"Alright, I'll give you that one. That is how I used to be; but, now…now I feel like I have real meaning in my life. Getting Charlie back has completely changed my life for the better."
"I'm happy for you, I truly am," said Mike sincerely.
"Thank you."
"So did Charlie start school today or did she decide to finish school online?"
"She actually did start school today."
"Somewhere nearby?"
"It's between here and home, Columbia."
"Columbia, okay, that's a really good secondary school from what I have read."
Harvey smirked, "from what you have read? You have no kids, no siblings; you're not even dating anyone with a kid. Why would you be reading anything about high schools?"
"Okay, okay, you got me. I did some research."
"And wwhhyyy would you do that?"
"What is with the third degree? I…I was just curious, that's all."
Harvey quirked his eyebrow dubiously.
Mike and Harvey had a minute long stare off before Mike caved.
"Alright, I guess over the past few weeks you haven't been the only one bonding with Charlie."
Harvey instantly jumped in "big brother" mode.
"What in the hell does that mean!?" He asked as he instantly stood from his black leather executive chair.
"Woah, woah, woah! Get your mind out of the gutter. I promise you, it's so NOT what you are thinking!"
"Then QUICKLY tell me what it is that I am NOT thinking!"
"A few weeks ago Charlie texted me. She wasn't sure how to talk to you. I just guided her through."
"Annnd?" Harvey prompted.
"And, that is how it started. From there we somehow got to my childhood and where I was from. We just have some things in common, that's all; but, I swear on my grandmother's soul, it's strictly platonic. Honestly, I genuinely look at Charlie as my little sister as well. I just want what is best for her, same as you. I swear."
Harvey studied his young apprentice for a few moments.
"Alright, I believe you. I have a question for you then, does she smoke?"
"Smoke what?"
"I don't know; cigarettes, weed?"
"And what makes you think she would tell me if she did?"
"Well, you are the one that just told me you had things in common."
"Oh, so because I used to smoke you automatically think only something like that would give us something to talk about?"
"No, I was just curious; so does she?"
"Why can't you just ask her yourself?"
"If you know, why can't you just tell me?"
"IF I know anything and I told you, how would she ever trust me again?"
"What about your loyalty to me?"
"That's not fair Harvey. You know I am loyal to you."
"Fine, fine, fine, I'll ask her myself. I was just trying to avoid that awkward conversation."
"It'll be fine, I promise."
"Mmm okay, if you say so," Harvey replied with a tone of doubt.
SUITS
Harvey texted his little sister as he waited for his three o'clock appointment to show.
"Hey kiddo how was your first day of school?"
"Great! I met some cool people. They invited me to a party this Saturday. Can I go?"
"Give me more details and I'll think about it….you don't waste any time making friends do you?"
"To be fair, I looked up kids that are currently going to Columbia and befriended the one's that looked kinda cool. I have been talking to a few for about a week now."
"That was smart. Wish they had facebook when I was in high school."
"Yeah, I know, you're old." Ha Ha.
"Mmm didn't you mention something about a party?"
"Ohhh did I say old? I meant, young and totally handsome."
"That's better." (smiley face)
"Soooo what time do you think you will be home?"
"I'm pretty busy. I only have a couple of minutes now because my client is late. I may not be home until eight or nine. Will you be okay?"
"Yeah, I'll be fine. Actually, if it's okay, can I have dinner at this girl's house? She invited me after I told her you probably had to work late."
"I don't know. Tell me a little about her and her family."
"Her name is Kathleen Stabler. She is a senior like me. She has two older sisters in college, a twin brother and a baby brother. Her mom is an at-home-mom and her dad is a detective or something. Works for like special victims I think."
"I don't know."
"Please, please, please,"
"Alright, fine, I'm trusting you here."
"You rule!"
"I know...oh, text me the address. I'll pick you up on my way home tonight with the town car."
"Will do."
SUITS
Eight-thirty at night the Stabler household received a knock on their front door. They found a very dashing, beautiful, yet tired looking man in a very expensive suit. Through exhausted eyes his smile was still very welcoming.
"Hello, I'm Harvey Spector," he said as he held out his hand, "I'm here to pick up my sister, Charlie."
The other man took his hand and shook it with a dashingly dimpled smile.
"I'm Elliot, Kathleen's father, come in. The girls are in the back working on their homework."
Please Review! Thank You! XOXO
NOTES: For those of you who are familiar with LAW AND ORDER SPECIAL VICTIMS you will recognize the characters. I changed the ages of Elliot Stabler's kids around a bit to fit my story better. Just a heads up.
