Ah, yes an update after 362828 years. I'm so sorry for the delay, but I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. Sorry in advance for any grammatical/spelling errors!
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Parent Pursuit
VII.
The morning came and the sound of aggressive knocking woke Harvey up. He opens his eyes, wincing at the rays of sun penetrating through Donna's translucent curtains. He gets up from the couch and rubs his eyes.
Donna's kiss still lingered on his lips.
He opens the door and was greeted with Kate, just like Donna had promised.
"Don't you look handsome." Kate said, not bothering to wait for Harvey to step aside as she entered the apartment, "Where's my sister?"
"She's in her bedroom." Harvey responds. As the words left his lips, Donna's bedroom door opens and out comes Donna.
Her hair was disheveled, and she was tightly wrapping the silk robe around her body. Harvey had straightened his posture from the door. She glances at him briefly, not showing any emotion on her face. From an outside perspective, it seemed like two adults had slept in different rooms and nothing had happened. They caught up and called the night good. Her red rimmed eyes, however, tell another story. Kate catches on quickly, as she observes the two, who were awfully quiet. Kate claps her hands together, trying to rid the tension she has found herself caught in between.
"Uhm," Kate pauses and looks at her sister, "how was last night? The twins called me saying that they accidentally took your guys' phones."
Donna almost laughs at Kate's excuse. Ever since they had landed in New York, Donna knew that her girls were up to no good. She knew that the twins were trying to set she and Harvey back together. A part of her knew that something this far gone can't be rebuilt, though another part of her wished that maybe, just maybe, something might be fixed. Except Harvey's engaged.
Kate clears her throat when neither Harvey and Donna responded to her question about how last night went. A tell tale sign that something had happened.
"Harvey, I think you should go." Donna says, trying her hardest not to sneak another glance at Harvey.
"Donna, we need to talk ab-" Harvey pleads, though he couldn't finish as Donna interrupts.
"We talked enough last night." Donna says, as she turns her back from her sister and Harvey, going back inside her bedroom, away from the world, away from the feelings that bubbled in her whenever Harvey was around.
Kate and Harvey stood awkwardly in the living room, and Kate was the first to break the silence. She asked what the fuck had happened. Harvey simply says he kissed Donna and walked out the door before Kate could react.
To say that Paula Agard was annoyed was an understatement. All night, the twins had witnessed the frustrated sighs from Paula as she frantically dialed Harvey's number. Little did she know, Harvey's phone was tucked away in Emma's bedroom, silent. Now it was morning, the twins were silently eating cereal on the kitchen counter, watching Paula stare at her phone on the couch.
"Maybe they got caught in a storm." Lily suggests, and Paula looks at Lily, trying her hardest not to glare at the twins. It was sprinkling outside, there was no way.
"Don't anger the beast." Emma nudges.
"She's acting like a stalker."
Then all three's attention turned towards the door as Harvey walks in, running his hand through his hair. His eyes looked weary, clearly showing that he didn't get any sleep. Paula stood up quickly, her arms crossed over her chest.
"Harvey, where the hell were you?"
This is gonna be good, the twins thought. Harvey glanced over at the twins, and the two quickly turned their heads. Harvey sighed and explained to Paula what happened, leaving the part where he had kissed Donna. Him. Harvey. Cheating was never a part of his DNA, but for some unknown reason, when it came to Donna, it didn't feel like cheating. As asshole sounding as it may seem, to Harvey, it felt right.
At first, the twins were hoping that Paula was still angry at Harvey to the point where she would leave for good. Except, much to their surprise, Paula drops her irritated look and kissed Harvey on the lips, reminding him to never do that again.
"What can I do to make it up to you?" Harvey says, faking a smile as he grabs her waist. Emma and Lily both rolls their eyes.
"Come dress shopping with me tomorrow, we'll take the twins." Paula smiles, glancing over at the twins, who were taken aback with her statement.
"Dress shopping? Already?" Harvey asks.
"The designer is only here for a couple days this month, she wants me to give her the details about our wedding that's happening in two months." Paula explains. All Harvey could do was nod.
That night, Harvey had invited Marcus to get drinks at the bar, he needed to clear his mind with alcohol. When Marcus arrived, he sat at the bar stool next to Harvey, who was already three shots ahead of him and it had only been five minutes.
"Kate told me." Marcus says simply, motioning to the bartender for a shot. Harvey waited. "You're a fucking idiot."
There it was. Way before Harvey and Donna were together, Marcus has always sided with Donna, always seeing Donna as an older sister. Harvey couldn't blame Marcus, all the Specter boys were mesmerized with Donna and her ability to be a people magnet.
"I didn't mean to." Harvey says, picking up another glass and sipping it slowly. Marcus looks over at Harvey almost offended.
"What do you mean you didn't mean to? Your lips just happen to be glued to hers? Harvey, were you even thinking?" Marcus pressed.
"It was in the moment. Marcus, I missed her." Harvey says quietly.
"Hell, Harvey, I missed her too, but you don't go and kissing your ex wife just because you missed her." Marcus looks over at his older brother, who was clearly conflicted with the situation he was in.
There was a minute of silence. Harvey finished another glass. "I told her, that time I saw her in Seattle. She said it wasn't enough."
"You do realize you've hurt her too much. You both hurt eachother too much." Marcus says a little quietly now.
"I know," Harvey rubs his forehead, "but when I kissed her I thought it was going to fix everything."
"Harvey, you're not only hurting Donna, you're hurting the twins, you're engaged."
Harvey closes his eyes and thinks about his girls. He thinks about his engagement and thinks about wether or not he would have still asked Paula to marry him if Donna had come to New York earlier.
"You have a chance to restart your pathetic love life, but the question is, do you want to?"
"Yeah." Harvey says, unsure, but repeats it again to convince himself that it was what he wanted. Maybe starting something new with Paula would be different. Maybe it would be good for him and Donna.
Marcus looks over at this brother again, silently thinking to himself that his older brother, once again, is a fucking idiot.
Paula twirls in front of Harvey and the twins, wearing a extravagant wedding dress.
"You look beautiful," Harvey says, and he wasn't lying.
-
2000
the night before their wedding
It was the night before the big day for Harvey and Donna. They were ones who really didn't care for following old wive's tale, though they both thought it would be fun to follow the rule where they wouldn't see eachother until the day of the wedding. So, Harvey slept on the couch, and he and Donna had kissed before midnight and stayed in their respective areas.
Except, neither of them could sleep. Harvey had stared at the ceiling, taking in the final moments as an unmarried man. He was ready to settle, especially with Donna. He was marrying his best friend, and he had genuinely thought how he got so damn lucky. He was ready to see Donna in the white dress (that he hasn't seen) and hear her say I do. Inside the room, Donna tossed and turned, too giddy to think about the hours of sleep she is currently losing. She looked at the ring on her finger, the one Harvey had given her to claim her as his.
It was around two in the morning when Harvey said fuck it and knocked on their bedroom door.
"I know you're awake." Harvey smiles. He could hear her weight off the bed and the padding of her steps towards the door.
"We're not supposed to see eachother yet, Harvey." Donna says on the other side of the door. He knows she has her hands on her hips, with her eyebrows quirked.
"I can't sleep."
"Well, suck it up." Donna laughs.
"Come on, Donna, no one will know." Harvey says, and with that, Donna slightly opens the door, and Harvey pushed his way inside. He looks at Donna, who was wearing one of his shirts, two sizes too big over her small frame. She was glowing as she smiled.
"God, you're beautiful." Harvey says, stepping closer and cupping her cheeks, kissing Donna gently. He steps back and Donna follows his eyes. She quickly runs towards the dress that was delicately hanging over the closet.
"Harvey, no!" Donna shrieks, trying to cover the dress as she takes it off the hook. It was the first time Harvey has seen the dress Donna has picked out, and it was beautiful.
"What do you say you put it on so I can see it on you for the first time." Harvey suggests.
"That ruins the element of surprise," Donna says matter of factly, still holding onto her dress.
"It will be our own tradition."
"What? are you planning on marrying again? You only get to see me in this dress for the first time once." Donna smiles.
"When we renew our vows, maybe I'll see you in another dress for the first time again." Harvey smiles back. Donna bites her lips, trying to hide the growing smile on her face.
"Give me five minutes." Donna says as she closes the bathroom door.
-
"Dad." Lily nudges Harvey, who snapped out of his thoughts.
"Yeah, kid?"
Lily rolls her eyes at Harvey, and tells him that Paula had asked what he thought of the dress.
"I like it." Harvey says simply.
Paula's face lit up, and walks towards the designer, giving her tips on how to make the dress better. As Paula gives the designer some alteration ideas, Harvey gets up from his seat and walks out the door to get some fresh air. He needed to clear his head, after thinking of the memory.
The twins watch as Paula continued to talk to her designer friend. Emma spots a little boy who was playing with an eerily realistic plastic bug, a toy that was probably given to him to distract him as his mother picks out a bridesmaid dress. Emma walks over to the little boy and asks to borrow one of the spiders, and he gives her a smile. Lily watches Emma as she places the plastic bug on Paula's shoulder. Emma sits back down next to Lily.
When the designer walked away and Paula turned her face back to the twins, Emma pointed at Paula's shoulder, where the realistic spider perches.
The next event was disastrous with Paula frantically screaming, tripping on the dress and accidentally ripping it. Of course, that was when Harvey decides to walk in. The designer had also joined the commotion. He steadies Paula and picks off the spider off Paula's shoulder, showing her that it was fake. Paula tried to breathe calmly. Harvey notices the little boy from the corner of his eye who had other bugs sprawled out on the floor, the little boy had his finger pointed at Emma.
Harvey glares at Emma, while Emma puts her hand on her forehead. She was in deep shit.
"That was a one of a kind dress!" The designer yelps.
-
When they got home, there was only silence, and knowing that Emma was going to be in trouble, Lily thought it'd be best to stick with her twin. Donna had called her and said it was okay.
"What the hell were you thinking, Emma?" Harvey says, Paula only stands next to Harvey.
"God, Dad, it was a harmless prank. It was a plastic spider." Emma says, not even fazed with Harvey's tone. Okay, maybe she did feel a little bad.
It was decided at the bridal store that Paula was to fly to California with the designer to get her another similar dress the following day.
"I don't know why you guys are so defensive over a dress."
"It was the only dress." Paula intervenes.
"Listen Paula, with all due respect, you have two months before you marry our dad. It was a rip, there was no need to overreact." Emma spats.
"Emma watch your tone." Harvey says, his phone then rings and he walks over to their room to take it. Paula stands in front of the twins who were seated on the couch.
"I know you two don't like me, but I will marry your dad wether you like it or not. In the future, you guys will probably have another sibling that your dad will love, so you better treat me with more respect." Paula says, putting too much emphasis on another sibling, practically implying that Harvey will love their kid more than the twins.
There it was! Her true colors shining through.
"Whatever you say, Paula." Lily retorts.
"You can call me your stepmom." Paula smirks.
The twins roll their eyes as Harvey enters the room. He explains that it was the airline company, confirming the booked flight for Paula the following day. She was going to be gone for a week.
-
The following morning, Harvey and the twins had dropped off Paula at the airport. Paula gives Harvey a kiss that was meant to make the twins react, but they smiled, knowing not to get whatever Paula's tactic was to get to them. Paula then gives both of them a hug, holding them a little too tightly.
"Remember what I said." Paula whispers.
"You better hope that dad is still in love with you when you get back." Emma whispers, the twins stepped back, painting a fake smile on their face.
Paula stands uneasily.
"You okay, hon?" Harvey says.
"Yeah, just...I'll see you in a week for more wedding details."
"Okay, see you then. Have a safe flight." Harvey kisses Paula on the cheek, while the twins crosses their fingers behind their backs.
The tension from the bug incident had subsided and the twins weren't surprised because Paula had been the one who made the situation bigger than it was. Ray was driving them back home when Emma spoke up. Harvey was in the front seat.
"Why don't we invite mom over, Dad."
Harvey coughs, "For what, kid?"
"I don't know, dinner and a movie?"
"I don't think that's a good idea."
"Why not?" Lily speaks up, wondering why Harvey all of a sudden was hesitant on inviting Donna over.
Harvey thinks about it, and not wanting to give the twins the details of what happened the previous night, he agrees.
"Tell you what, I'll ask her tonight."
-
2000
the night before their wedding
When Donna steps out of the bathroom, clad in her wedding dress, Harvey couldn't help his jaw from dropping. She was stunning. The lace detailing on the bodice and her veil flowing behind her was a sight for sore eyes.
"Harvey?"
"You...wow...just...wow." Harvey says breathless.
"Well aren't you a smooth talker," Donna smiles, stepping closer to Harvey. He was sitting on the edge of the bed, when his hand found Donna's waist, looking up at her. She sits down on his lap, one arm draped over his shoulder.
Donna notices the glassy reflection in Harvey's eyes.
"Are those tears I see, Harvey?" Donna smiles.
"Yes it is, Mrs. Specter."
"Not yet. But it's Paulsen-Specter." Donna corrects before leaning down.
They kiss, and then the kissing led to a pre honeymoon, honeymoon.
On their wedding day, as Kate hangs Donna's wedding dress on the hook, she didn't ask why she needed to re steam the once perfectly uncrinkled dress.
-
"Your wife?" An older man asks Harvey, who was looking over at Donna, who was talking to an older woman. They were inside the LE Paulsen store, with Harvey ready to ask Donna if she'd like to come over, with the request of the twins, of course.
"No..." Harvey says.
"Fiancé?" The older man tries again.
"No." Harvey repeats.
The older man gives him a look of wonder and pats him on the back.
"The way you've been looking at her, that's a look a man gives the love of his life. I know for a fact you're not looking at the other lady, because sorry to break it to you, but that one," The older man points at the direction of the older woman Donna was having a conversation with, "she's mine."
Harvey only chuckles. The older woman approaches the woman Donna had been talking to and walks away, hand in hand. Donna adjusts the bag on the display and looks up, making eye contact with Harvey, with a look of surprise on her face.
Harvey stands still, remembering how when he saw Paula in the wedding dress, he had thought of Donna.
He didn't wanna see someone else in a wedding dress for the first time.
He wanted to see Donna.
He wanted to see Donna for the second first time, in a wedding dress.
He agrees with Marcus. He was a fucking idiot.
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That's it! I'll try and update the next chapter faster. Don't forget to review (thank you to those who have done so), and let me know what you think :)