-Waw look at how fast you run Charlie ! Donna says looking at her 18 months daughter
Being a mom was never something she thought she'd be one day. But when she got pregnant with Charlie everything was different and she felt like the happiest woman in the world. Moreover, she was with the perfect man : Thomas. She met him two years ago for work and to her it felt like an evidence, he was the right man for her. She found out she was pregnant when they were not even dating anymore because of a fight they had. She thought he would not accept the pregnancy because well, they weren't together but he stayed and had been the perfect dad to her daughter ever since.
-Tomy, look ! Charlie says
-My name is Dada not Tomy. Thomas corrects her
-I don't think you'll ever get her to call you daddy. Donna jokes
-Haha very funny, if you had stopped calling me that way when we had her, that would've never happened. Her boyfriend coldly answered
-It's not true…. She starts
-Oh my god, Charlie come back here ! Donna says after seeing her one year old bumping into a man
-Hey be careful with where you are going young lady ! The gentleman says
-Me running ! The little girl says
-I can see that, what do you say we run to your mommy ? He offers
-Oh my goodness Charlie, how many times do I have to tell you to stop running away ! Donna tells her daughter, while trying to slow down her breathing
-Thank y… Ha- Harvey.
She did not expect him to be here. It had been two years since they last saw each other. Two years ago he knocked at that 206 door. Two years ago they found themselves making love for the second time. Two years ago she asked him if it meant something. Two years ago he said that it did mean something but that he was not ready to settle down with her.
And she froze looking at her daughter then at Harvey, then at her daughter again. The way they looked like each other was almost scary. Charlie is a strawberry blonde head but she's apparently going to be a real blond as Thomas often says, she has hazel eyes, is quite tall for her age and has that grin that always reminded Donna of Harvey.
-Donna, it's been a long time since we last saw each other. Harvey shyly says
-Yes, two years already…. The redhead answers
-And this is…
-Charlie, my daughter.
-Well, hello Charlie, I'm Harvey ! The lawyer greets
-Hi !! The little girl responds
-Harvey ! Long time no see. Thomas says coming from nowhere
-Thomas, yeah it's been quite a while. Harvey says shaking the other man's hand
-Well it's time for us to go, bye Harvey. Donna says hoping not to look awkward
-Bye, Donna. Bye Charlie. Harvey says only looking at his ex-colleague's daughter
-You wanna hold mommy's hand or daddy's hand ? Thomas asks his daughter
-Daddy's ! The little girl says
-She called me daddy ! Thomas shouts
-Yes, she did. Donna replies smiling
Harvey heard this and almost found himself crying. By telling Donna he wasn't ready, he lost the chance to have a life with her, he lost the chance to have kids with her, he lost the only chance of happiness he had. That one night cost him everything. If he could go back in time he'd instead of saying he wasn't ready, he would have said that he is willing to try even if it was a bit scary for him. But when he saw the way Charlie looked at him, it felt like heaven,nothing was scary anymore, for a minute he was the happiest man in the world. He couldn't tell where this feeling was coming from but he didn't care at the moment.
He was lost in his thoughts when he felt a little hand taking his.
-I wanna hold daddy's hand. Charlie says looking up at Harvey
-But I'm not your daddy, he is. Harvey says pointing at Thomas
-No you is Daddy ! She retorts with this so not perfect english that made Harvey's heart melt
-Charlie, come on let's go. Thomas says acting like he hasn't heard anything
-Nooooo ! The little girl says, now crying and holding Harvey's fingers as hard as she can
-Donna you take care of this I'll be waiting in the car. Thomas says walking away
-I'm sorry Donna… Harvey apologies not knowing what else to say
-It's okay, Harvey. I think… I think he understood. Donna replies
-Understood what ? He asked not understanding the situation himself
-Take Charlie in your arms. She says putting her daughter into Harvey's arms
-I still don't get it.
Donna nervously laughs and says :
-Charlie is yours Harvey, she's your daughter.
He couldn't believe his ears, the bomb Donna just dropped left him speechless. He was holding his daughter for the first time of his life. He couldn't tell if he was angry at Donna for keeping this secret for this much time or if he was happy that he knew.
-The day you told me you weren't ready is the day I found out that I was pregnant.
-Why didn't you tell me ?
-Because I didn't know how you'd react so I decided to quit my job and go back to Thomas making him believe that it was his kid since we had been together a few days before you know… She continues
-Donna you of all people know that I would never ever have bailed out on you because of you were pregnant. He calmly says, at Donna's big surprise
-Wait y-you aren't mad ? The read head asks
-I'm not mad, how could I be, you gave me a daughter. I think I'll just need some time to process it but I am not mad. The lawyer says smiling
Donna's phone buzzed, it was Thomas: "I left, I'm sorry but I can't handle you lying to me like that. I'll pack up my stuff and leave you for good. Again I'm really sorry "
-Thomas ? Harvey asks
-Yeah. She answers
Harvey gently caresses her shoulder knowing what kind of text she just got
-She fell asleep. Donna says running her hand through Charlie's hair
-She looks so peaceful. Harvey continues putting his hand on Donna's
-What do you say we go get some ice cream ? Donna offers
-Yeah why not ? Harvey accept
-What flavor do we take for this little pumpkin ? Harvey says pointing at Charlie who just woke up
-Strawberry, it's her favorite. Donna answers winking
-Just like her parents. Harvey says laughing
And they found themselves sitting on a bench, having fun as if what happened never did. They didn't know what they were going to do now that everyone knew the truth, but what they did know is that the three of them were going to figure it out one way or another.
End