Being in the hospital day in day out is starting to claw away at her nerves and she's never missed the hefty workload of being COO and the real managing partner more than she does right now. Sure, she's got Harvey by her bedside but she'd rather spend time with him away from the restrictive confinements of the hospital room. Her heavy release of breath gets Harvey's attention immediately, the look on his face drawing her to the attention that his first thought is that she's in pain. She's quick to reassure him that she's fine as she shifts her head closer to settle comfortably inside the crook of his neck.

"You think you can sneak me out of here?" She masks the seriousness of her question with a slightly teasing tone, albeit hoping Harvey would catch on. They've spent the majority of 15 years together and as much as she claims to know him better than he knows himself, it works both ways so she knows he'll catch on. He looks at her incredulously and wonders whether it would be a good idea but the stubborn look of determination and seriousness etched on her face makes him think maybe the request isn't too far fetched.

"I'll rest better at home Harv, in a bed where it doesn't feel like my back is being bashed against a wooden floor board." The request is perfectly timed as the doctor walks in and whilst normally he'd be opposed to letting a patient be discharged so early after having been shot, he doesn't see why not considering her wounds are healing unproblematically. She shakes her head in sheer disapproval when he mentions to take it easy - no strenuous activities or going into the office - but one firm look from Harvey and she relents; it's either this or staying in the hospital. He leaves informing them he'll bring back the discharge papers and painkillers and Harvey squeezes her leg before telling her he's going to call Ray to take them both home, "I'll be right back."

The door swings open with a small squeak and she glances at the wheelchair and then back up at Harvey who has a sheepish grin on his face knowing he's in for another protest, "I've got your discharge papers."

She frowns, "I don't need a wheelchair Harvey. I got shot, I'm not an invalid"

He shrugs lightheartedly with a small smile. "Don't shoot the messenger...doctors orders"

She sighs and attempts to slide off the bed but hisses and winces when she accidentally pulls at her gauze. "I assure you I can walk perfectly fine".

"Don careful" he says softly with a worried look on his face. She goes to step off the bed and he's quick to hold his arms out when he notices her falter and sees her legs give way slightly. "I've got you" Her hands viscerally grip onto his biceps, her nails digging into his skin and he manages to hold in a wince as he focuses on keeping her balanced against him. He eyes her scanning to make sure she's okay. "What was that you said about being able to walk?" he smirks at her but she detects worry and concern in his voice.

"I'm okay, I just moved too quickly" he helps ease her gently into the wheelchair and reaches over to grab her stuff before capturing her lips in a gentle kiss.

"Let's go home" he squeezes her shoulder. She places her hand on top of his at her shoulder and squeezes back.

The only light in the room is the soft glow emanating from the marble fireplace in front of them, cascading them in an incandescent warmth. They are cuddled up on the couch after having had the dinner that he had cooked for her after having arrived home, knowing she must have been famished after have been living on hospital food. Her feet are propped up comfortably on the pillow resting on the glass coffee table whilst the rest of her body leans against his, her hand curled around his whilst the other draws indistinct patterns on his thigh. He reaches over to the side and grabs a soft woollen blanket and lightly drapes it over them as he pulls her tenderly closer to his side. He turns his head, his lips ghosting her forehead as he breathes her in. His fingers softing tracing invisibles lines lightly up and down her arm.

His other hand plays with the wedding ring on her finger before he interlaces their fingers and lifts her joined hands to his lips and places a soft-hearted kiss against her knuckles.

"I meant what I said before you know- " He pauses taking a moment to look at her, " -about having children with you." His voice is soft and filled with a sense of longing that pulls at her heartstrings and she can't help but smile back lovingly at him with a nod.

"You sure you could handle a mini us running around, because I know I've already got my hands full dealing with you" she jokes playfully.

"If she is anything like you I'm in for a hell lot of trouble but there is nothing else I'd rather want than to be outnumbered by redheads and nobody else I'd rather it be with. Coming home to you guys,, surprise visits at the office, her drawing all over my important case files...I want it all Donna."

"You've really thought about this haven't you?

"If I had lost you I would have lost everything Donna, I don't want to waste anymore time." His declaration is unguarded, full of want and love and she couldn't love him anymore than she already does.

She agrees, "there is nobody else I'd rather have a family with either Harvey."

The silence causes Donna to lift her head off his shoulder and glance up towards him. His eyes are staring straight ahead at the fireplace as the flames dance in his soft brown eyes. She senses his vulnerability. His trance is broken when she places an affectionate kiss against his jawline just under his ear and squeezes his thigh in a silent declaration that she was right here, that they've still got a future ahead of them and he's reminded that it's a forever kind of love. A forever kind of connection that binds them to each other. It's taken them 13 years to get to where they are now, there's nothing that could tear them apart from each other. They've got it all to come.

SORRY THE UPDATE TOOK SO LONG BUT I HAD EXAMS AND ESSAYS TO HAND IN THAT I LOST TRACK OF TIME. BUT ITS FINALLY FINISHED.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR STICKING THROUGH AND GIVING REVIEWS. XXXXX