A/N: This fic is here not only because Dani has inspired it, but also because she has helped me correct it. I hope it really is what you expected :)
This past week Avery has been too attached to Donna. Usually, she shares things equally with her parents, but something this week made her cling to her mother all the time. So, when Donna has a Pilates class on Thursday afternoon, the 7-year-old is left in the care of her father, but not before shedding a few tears and begging her mother not to leave. Donna had to promise the girl more than 10 times that she would be back shortly and that she would be home in time for dinner.
After the girl calms down in her father's arms, she sits on his lap, and Harvey starts combing her hair with his fingers since it got a little messy after Avery's tearful episode. Once her mother is gone, the tears don't stop flowing from Avery's cheeks for a while.
"Tell me... what do you want us to do while we wait for Mom to return?"
"I don't know," the girl says with a broken voice, still with traces of tears.
"Hmm..." Harvey narrows his eyes at her, trying hard to think. "Puzzle? Drawing? Build something with blocks? Play with dolls? Go to the park? Watch Frozen?"
"Let's play in Mom's closet," Avery responds immediately.
"Okay, let's go there then." Harvey stands up with the girl in his arms and starts walking. "But how about washing your face first?" Avery nods and hides her face in Harvey's neck.
Within a few minutes, Harvey is sitting on the floor of Donna's dressing room while his little daughter walks through her mom's dresses, touching each fabric and naming the colors.
"Black, purple, blue, green, white, pink, gray..." Avery says in that sweet voice that melts Harvey's heart every time. "I love Mommy's dresses!"
"And which one is your favorite?"
"This purple one!" Avery immediately responds, grabbing a dress that Harvey remembers buying for Donna. Donna had tried it on at the store, and when Harvey saw how good it looked on her, he didn't hesitate to buy it for her.
"Yes, that's very pretty," Harvey replies with a smile, recalling Donna's excitement when he told her she could take it and he'd pay for it. He knows she would have purchased it herself, but he enjoys spoiling his wife.
"I want to have a dressing room like Mom's," Avery says, pulling Harvey out of his thoughts.
"You have a similar one, honey."
"But my dresses aren't like hers," the girl snorts.
"No, they're not. Your dresses are for little girls, but when you grow up, you'll be able to wear dresses like Mommy's."
Avery sits on the floor, pouting and crossing her arms. "I'm sure Mom would buy me dresses like hers."
Harvey has to stifle a small laugh. It's true that ever since Avery was born, Donna has bought clothes in equal amounts for herself and her daughter. "But there is a style of clothing that is only made for grown-up women and would also be uncomfortable for you since you like to run and jump all over the place"
"Mom would still get them for me. Mom is capable of doing anything," Avery responds, completely annoyed, folding her arms tighter as she frowns and looks at her father with her head down and her gaze up.
"Mom is capable of doing anything, we agree on that." Harvey had always been Donna's number one fan, but now he had to compete for that position with Avery. "And that's why she buys you so many pretty dresses."
"But I want dresses like hers!" Avery yells, determined to fight her dad if she has to. "Mine aren't like that!" she says with a tearful voice, as she stands up and touches the fabrics of Donna's dresses again.
"Kid..." Harvey sighs deeply and without getting up from the ground, he moves a little closer to her.
"You have the most beautiful girl's dresses in the world."
"But they're not like Mom's!" Avery sobs.
"I know, yours are for a child, Mom's are for a grown woman. Someday you will be a grown woman like Mom and have dresses like hers."
"And how long until I'm a grown woman?" Avery asks, doing her best to keep her tears from falling.
"It's a long time away, honey."
"But I want them now!" Avery screams, breaking down in tears. "Why don't you want to buy them for me now?"
"Because there aren't any in your size, Avery," Harvey replies back, doing his best to stay calm and not worsen his daughter's condition.
"Mom can get them at the store where she shops!"
"No, Avery. She can't."
"You're mean, Dad! I just want dresses like Mom's!"
Harvey sighs deeply and wants to dry Avery's tears, but the girl moves before he can reach her. "I can't give them to you, Avery. I'm sorry!"
"I'm sure Mom will!" The girl screams, wipes away her tears, and runs out of Donna's dressing room.
It takes Harvey a few seconds to get off the ground and follow her. By the time he reaches his daughter, Avery has her favorite doll tucked under her arm and has her hand on the front door knob.
"May I know where you are going?" Harvey asks.
"To find Mom so she can buy me the dresses I want."
"You know you can't leave the house by yourself, don't you?"
"Yes, I know," the kid sobs. "But I want her to buy me the dresses," she says, her voice trembling.
"I know you do, sweetheart," Harvey replies, crouching down to her level. "But sometimes we have to be patient and wait for the right time. For Mommy to come back and for you to have grown-up women dresses."
Avery sniffles and looks down at her doll, her grip on it tightening. "I don't like to wait."
"Yes, I know it's not fun to wait, but for the things that you love very, very much, the wait always ends up being worth it." He says and gives her a light touch on the nose which makes her chuckle.
"Are you sure, Dad?"
"I promise you," Harvey responds, believing that he has been able to handle the situation, and immediately hugs Avery against his body, so that she can finish calming down. "You know? I have an idea."
"Which one?" she looks at her dad again, pouting.
"We can design your own dress, we can make a draw of it. A dress just for you."
Avery's eyes light up with a glimmer of excitement, and her pout slowly turns into a smile. She reaches out and hugs her father tightly. "Okay, Daddy. Let's make a special dress just for me!"
Harvey smiles, relieved to see his daughter's sadness turning into enthusiasm. "So… wait for me while I go to look for the pencils, okay?"
"Yes, Daddy!"
"Let's do this then!"
Harvey gives his daughter one last squeeze, and they part ways. He takes it upon himself to go find the things needed for the drawing, believing that Avery will be waiting for him at the kitchen table to work together on the design.
But apparently, Avery has another idea.
Harvey can't find her in the kitchen, so he starts calling her name while looking for her in different parts of the apartment. Upon seeing the front door open, he feels a slight urge to lock her in her room until the girl turns 21. At least.
He rushes out of the apartment, immediately searching for the security camera footage on his cell phone. When he sees her coming down in one of the elevators, he sighs with relief and hurries down the stairs, running. The building manager is at the entrance of the building, and he guesses he won't let her leave alone, but regardless, he needs to catch up with her.
"Avery!" Harvey yells, breathless from running down so many floors down the stairs.
Avery mutters an "uh-oh," which makes the manager snicker.
"You just told me that you know you can't leave the house alone," Harvey continues breathlessly.
"I want Mom to help us!"
"Mom will be here in a bit. You can't go looking for her. You're only 7, Avery!" he says, frustrated. He had only lost sight of his daughter for 2 minutes. "And you were waiting for me to draw together while I was looking for things. You can't do this."
"But, Dad..." the girl sobs.
"No, I'm sorry, Avery. There are no 'buts' here." Harvey shakes his head and drops down to Avery's level again. "You can't go out. It's not something debatable. You can't leave the house alone, and you won't. Sometimes you'll be just with Mom, other times just with me, many times with both of us and other times with the babysitter. You can go out accompanied by any of us. But not alone. You're a girl, and it's dangerous. Full stop." He says, hating himself for watching Avery unable to control her tears. "And I'm not doing this because I want to be mean to you. I'm doing it because I'm your dad, and my role here is to make sure nothing bad happens to you. Okay?" Avery nods, crying. "Please, tell me. Have you understood?"
"Yes, I have," Avery sniffles.
Harvey sighs and reaches for her hand. "Come here, kid." Avery puts her hand in her father's hand, and he holds her close, standing up with her in his arms. "Thank you for keeping her here," he mouths to the manager.
"Of course," the man answers. Harvey nods and walks to the elevator with his daughter.
Harvey holds Avery tightly in his arms as they enter the elevator. He presses the button for their floor and the doors close, enveloping them in a moment of silence.
Avery snuggles closer to her father, her tears gradually subsiding. "I didn't mean to make you upset, Dad," she whispers, her voice still trembling.
"I know, sweetheart," Harvey reassures her, kissing the top of her head. "But please, promise me you won't go out alone again."
"I promise, Dad." She answers and Harvey rubs her back.
The elevator doors open, and Harvey carries Avery back to their apartment. He sets her down gently and guides her to the kitchen table, where he had left the drawing materials earlier. With a deep breath, he smiles at her.
"Let's make a beautiful dress together, just like we planned," he says, his voice filled with warmth. "And when Mom comes home, we'll show it to her, okay?."
Avery's tear-stained face brightens with a small smile, and she reaches for a crayon. "Yes, Dad!"
20 minutes later, Avery hears her mother arrive and doesn't hesitate to run over to her. Donna bends down to receive her, and the girl hugs her, wrapping her arms around her neck.
"Hey, sweetie," Donna says warmly, hugging her back.
"You took a long time to come back," the girl complains, which makes Donna smile.
"I've only taken the same amount of time I always do when I go to Pilates classes," the older redhead responds and stands up, lifting the girl in her arms to walk into the apartment.
"It felt like a long time."
"I'm sorry, honey, but I'm here now," she responds and kisses her cheek. "What have you been doing with Dad?"
"I'll show you. Let's go to the kitchen." Donna nods and walks with Avery into the kitchen. "Look what we've done!" The girl says enthusiastically, pointing to the drawing of the dress that she made with her father's help.
"Oh, it looks really glamorous!" Donna tells her with a smile, looking at the drawing. Harvey stands up and gives his wife a quick kiss.
"I want to have dresses like yours, Mom!"
"I guess it's time for you to explain to her that there aren't dresses like yours for girls who want to play and run all day," Harvey mumbles, and Donna giggles.
"I heard you, Dad," Avery grunts. "Princesses do have dresses like that. We saw it on TV yesterday! The Royal Family!" she says, remembering it suddenly.
"First, we're not the royal family," Donna tells her.
"Fortunately," Harvey adds, and Donna giggles.
"Second, honey…" Donna picks up the girl and sits her on the table. "In girls' clothing stores, there aren't dresses like mine because they're not comfortable for playing... And what I want you to do the most is play a lot, be active, and enjoy being just a kid." Avery nods, a little confused. "I don't wear those dresses all the time either because I'll let you in on a secret…" Donna leans closer to Avery and whispers in her ear. "Sometimes they're uncomfortable for me too." Avery laughs. "I wear them for work and sometimes for fancy dinners with Dad when we go to glamorous places. The rest of the time, I wear more comfortable clothes." Avery nods. "But… I have an idea."
"What is it, Mommy?"
"We'll get you a fancy dress like mine for Allison and Peter's wedding."
"Yay!" the girl claps her hands, super excited. "I want it to be made of shiny fabric, just like yours!"
Donna smiles. "Okay, we'll find something you like. Deal?"
"Yes, Mommy! You're the best!"
Harvey observes the situation from a slight distance, and despite being parents for 7 years now, he still can't believe how well Donna handles situations. How did it not occur to him to say something like that to the girl? He feels a bit foolish. Sometimes he wishes he could be a little more like his wife. And he still hasn't told her that the kid had run away in his care.
"You are the best," Donna responds and kisses Avery's head. "I'll go take a quick shower, and then we'll discuss the details of your dress, what do you think?"
"Yes, please!" Avery says, still excited. "Did you see that I had to go look for Mom?" the girl tells her father. "You don't know much about dresses."
"It's true, I don't know much... But I do know that you can't leave the house alone, Avery."
"Alone?" Donna is immediately alarmed, turning her head towards her husband.
"Yes! I went out alone to look for you! But Dad caught me at the entrance of the building."
"Harvey!" Donna growls, and he can see her entire face transform.
"Scold her first!" Harvey complains, mouthing the words. And actually, he is right. They'll talk about this later, without Avery present.
Donna sits down in one of the chairs, facing her daughter. "You can't go out alone, Avery. And you know that."
"I just wanted to be with you, Mommy. You could help me with this."
"Well, I was at my Pilates class. Just like you go to swimming class or Dad goes to the gym. It's only for a little while, and you know I always come back." Avery nods. "And during that little while, you stay with Dad, and I know you can have a lot of fun with him. Isn't that right?" The girl nods again. "You can do things with dad that you can't do with me, like playing baseball... And Dad may not know as much about dresses, but he has made this beautiful one with you." She pauses. "You can't leave home alone, Avery. You just can't do it. Not now, not for several years. You're a girl, Avery. Just a girl. And girls can't be alone on the street. If you need to talk to me, ask dad to call me, and we'll talk. Okay? But please don't do this again. You can't do it again."
"Sorry, Mom," Avery pouts.
"Do you promise you won't do it again?"
"I already promised Dad."
"Promise me too, will you?"
"Okay." Avery sniffs. "I promise you too, Mom." She says and Donna kisses her head.
As Donna leaves to go to the bathroom, Harvey follows her.
"Did you make sure to lock the door before leaving her alone?" Donna spits out, completely annoyed.
"Donna!" he snorts. "We never lock the door."
"She's never run away before."
"Wait!" Harvey grabs her hand to slow her down and walks up to stand in front of her.
"Don't make me tell you things I'm going to regret later," she mutters, unable to look at him, and enters their room.
"Donna..." he murmurs and walks with her. "You know I didn't do it on purpose, don't you? And that she can't get out of the building either because the door won't open without the magnetic key?"
"The building is huge. She doesn't have to go outside for something bad to happen to her."
"I know. That's why I ran downstairs to catch up with her as fast as possible while she was going down the elevator, and I was watching her through the cameras. The manager was at the entrance. There was no way for her to get out."
"The manager is new. We don't know if we can trust him. She's a kid, Harvey!" she yells, unable to hide her anger any longer.
Harvey exhales, completely frustrated, and sits on the edge of the bed. "I'm sorry, Donna. I only left her alone for like thirty seconds to get the pencils to do that drawing." He pinches his brow, taking a breath. "I already know that you're a better mother than I'm a father," he says, full of frustration. "She couldn't stop crying because she didn't want you to leave. She cried for a while after you left. When I managed to calm her down, she wanted to go play in your dressing room... And she was saying she wanted dresses like yours, and I'm so useless that it didn't occur to me to tell her about the wedding. But of course, you were able to give her a solution in just a minute." Donna sighs and sits down next to him. "She wanted to go looking for you before, and I stopped her before she left the apartment. That was when I had the idea to design the dress. But she was at the door with her doll because I couldn't give her a solution, and she was sure that you would. And she was right. I'm sorry Donna. I'm a terrible dad."
Donna wants to strangle him and hug him at the same time. "Harvey, what the hell are you saying? I'm angry that she left, and I would be just as angry at myself if she had done it under my watch. I never said you were a bad father."
"You don't have to say it. I know it. She knows it. You know it."
"No, Harvey," she responds frustrated, getting to her feet. "I won't talk to you if you want to play the victim." She adds and without giving him a chance to respond, she locks herself in the bathroom of their room.
"Thanks for the support," Harvey mutters and walks away from there.
Donna takes much longer than necessary to shower and compose herself a bit. Meanwhile, Harvey pretends to be busy in the kitchen, preparing dinner.
"Where's Avery?" Donna asks, entering the kitchen and putting her hair in a ponytail.
"I didn't let her escape. Don't worry. She's watching TV in her room."
She snorts as she notices his lingering passive-aggressive attitude. "When did I ever say you let her run away?" she says, cursing herself for sounding angry again. She had intended to approach the situation calmly. "It could have happened to me too, and you would be mad at me as well. You're acting as immature as Avery, Harvey. You're a grown man!" Harvey sighs in frustration and gulps down the scotch he has there. "You're not a bad father, and you know I think the opposite. We both have our strengths and weaknesses in parenting. Avery loves you, and you know that."
"You're right. I let her get away from me." he snorts and puts down the empty glass on the counter.
"No, I don't think you let her get away. It's true, we don't lock the door during the day. I wouldn't have done it either. And don't think she doesn't throw tantrums because she wants to be with you when you're not around. She loves us both."
"If the front door of the building had been opened..."
"It never stays open. It closes automatically, Harvey."
"And the manager-"
"Harvey," she murmurs, resting her hand on his chest. "It was an oversight. It can happen to anyone. I understand how you feel. I felt just as terrible when she fell in the park, and I had to take her to the ER." Donna tries to reassure him. "This doesn't make you a bad father."
"I feel like one now."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel that way," she responds, running her hand along his face, gently caressing his cheek. "I'm upset, but it doesn't mean I think you're a bad parent. Okay?" He nods, and he hugs her. Donna hugs him back and places a kiss on his cheek. "Sometimes, I feel like I'm the mother of two children, not just one."
"Oh, thank you. That makes me feel so much better."
Donna stifles a giggle. "Okay, but I need a husband and a parenting partner, not another child!" she replies, kissing his cheek. "You can forgive yourself for what happened. Thankfully, nothing bad happened." He nods. "Stop thinking you're a bad father. I promise you that you're not." He nods again. "Do I need to ask you to say it out loud and promise me like we do with Avery, or...?" They both laugh, and he kisses her. "And now... I'll go lock the door," she says seriously and starts to walk away.
"How long will I have to endure your teasing for this?"
She laughs. "I don't know, kid. We'll see."
"Donna!" he grunts and she giggles again.
That night, Donna suggests to Avery that she ask her father to read her favorite bedtime story, one of the stories Harvey himself used to read as a child, knowing that it will help him feel better. Harvey not only reads the story to her but also tucks her in and stays by her side until she falls asleep. He doesn't know how many minutes he spends watching her peacefully sleeping, but he knows it's a lot.
Harvey approaches his wife, who is sorting out her clothes for the next day. "You told her to ask me to read that story, didn't you?" he asks, already knowing the answer.
"Do you feel a little better now?" she responds, without needing to confirm his question.
"Yeah," he replies with a slight smile, and she walks over to him, placing a tender kiss on his lips.
"That's good," she murmurs, kissing him again. "Tomorrow, let's sit down with her, just the two of us, and have a calm talk. We'll explain things better. Okay?"
"Haven't we scolded her enough?"
Donna twitches the corner of her mouth. "I think she understands now. But I don't want to scold her; I want to explain to her why what she did is dangerous. We have to prepare her for this shitty world, Harvey," she says in frustration. "I don't want to scare her, but I want her to understand. Don't you agree?"
"Yes, of course, I do. You're right."
"Yes, but that's just a Tuesday" She responds jokingly, knowing how much her husband hates that she delights in always being right.
Harvey chuckles and rolls his eyes playfully at Donna's response. "Alright, alright, you win," he says, giving in to her teasing. "But don't let it get to your head," he adds with a smirk, his arms wrapping around her waist.
"Oh, it's already there," Donna replies with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "And since I'm always right, you have to trust that I'm right when I say you're a good father. Okay?" she says, tracing her fingers along his cheek. He smiles tenderly at her words, nodding, and kisses her, pulling her against him.
thank you for reading it!