AN – This is the moment you have all been waiting for, again I am so sorry for how long it has taken me to get to this point. Talk about slow burn, but enjoy. Thank you for all the lovely reviews.
Present time
Today is the day Harvey thinks. Until now, he's seen his children grow up in pictures. He wonders if Donna has shown them what he looks like or talked to them about what he does. He picks up the soft toys he bought for them, the anticipation of their faces when he gives them the gifts is killing him now.
He called Mike last night in such excitement that Donna is allowing him to meet Henry and Millie at Hyde Park. His friend delighted with the progress that is being made, in the hopes he gets to meet his best friend and mentors twins in the near future.
Harvey finishes tying his shoe laces going over things he should ask the twins about, what's their favourite cartoon, do they have lots of friends at nursery, do they go swimming or to dance classes. Most importantly are they mad at him for not being there.
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As Harvey makes his way out of the tube station on his short journey to Hyde Park, his phone buzzes. He's noted the lack of service in the undergrounds in this country.
"Hey, Henry has just thrown a wobbler so we will be slightly late. So sorry, see you soon. Donna"
Harvey looks at his watch as he gets to the Albert Memorial, 10am bang on he thinks to himself, whilst he starts to pace back and forth waiting.
By 10:15 he thinks she's changed her mind, running his hands through his hair he gets his phone from his pocket ready to text her when he can hear a low voice behind him. He could recognise that voice anywhere in the world.
"Alright kiddos are you ready to meet Daddy. He's right over there go say hi" Harvey is frozen for a second at her words, he hears her push them again slightly "go on daddy won't bite he loves you both so much you know that" those words bring Harvey out of his trace, he needs to be the one who makes the first step.
He slowly turns and looks at his children, Henry clinging onto Donna's leg peeking up in curiosity, Millie looking at him star struck like she's caught Santa for the first time. He approaches them, gets down to their level and puts his hand out for them to shake like he's meeting a client.
That's when they both make the step to hug him instead of taking his hand. Both of them flinging themselves at him with such force he nearly tumbles backwards. He engulfs them in his embrace pulling them hard against his chest. He feels calm having them so close, he closes his eyes and relishes the feeling of his children finally in his arms.
After sometime Harvey releases them, and he looks up at Donna who is quickly wiping away a tear.
"Daddy" Henry calls out to him tugging his hand.
"Yes buddy" Harvey crouching to his eye level, he can't help take the boys features in, his eyes, his smile, it's all Spectre there is no denying he is the father.
"Don't work so fwar away again" This broke Harvey's heart, it must be what Donna told them to keep them appeased on where daddy is.
"No more, Daddy won't go anywhere far again, I promise" he bumps his head softly against Henry's making him laugh.
"Does my little princess have anything she wants to say to Daddy?" Millie slowly approaches Harvey, he has to smirk she is Donna, he can tell she is analysing him trying to make sure he means business.
"Will you come to my Dance show it's on Monday?" "Yes sweetheart, as soon as mummy tells me the details I will be there."
"Daddy, staying with us? My friend Ella, her mummy and daddy live together." Amelia looks between Donna and Harvey as she asks this.
"Yeah Daddy stay" Henry chimes in looking at his mother with the same questioning frown as the man himself.
"Mommy needs to speak with Daddy and we can decide later, how about we walk and see the duckies?" Donna sags with relieve as she has diverted them for now. She watches their eyes light up and each pull Harvey in the direction of the pond. Harvey looks back at Donna, he can't help but notice the slight sadness as she smiles back at him. He knows he needs to win her over, this is not over.
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They end up making a day of it both twins passed out in their strollers after lunch at Pizza Express. Donna suggested they walk and talk as she shows Harvey some of the sights around London.
"They've been nagging me since yesterday to ask you to come stay with us. That's why we ended up late as Henry decided to have a tantrum because I wouldn't give him a straight answer and didn't want to meet you if you weren't coming to stay." Donna shrugs her shoulders waiting for Harvey's response. Clara asked Donna to give him a chance, so here she is giving him an opening.
"Well their wish is my command, only if you're ok with me staying?" Harvey turns to see her reaction as they walk on.
"Yes but for how long. You're going to have to go back, you have a job and a life in New York." She knew what she was doing, giving him that out.
"Forever if you'll have me, if they want me to stay I will, fuck my job and life in New York. My world is here in London, how can I be away from them now I have them." He says with serious intent.
Donna is silent for the longest time; Harvey doesn't want to rock the boat but notches up this as being the first time he has left her speechless and he kind of likes it.
"Harvey first of all they are yours, I'm not going to keep you away from them. I just don't want you to resent them for keeping you from your work and the life you're used to. I also don't want them to be confused or upset when you do leave…"
"Hey" he suddenly stops, taking her hand. Donna looks down at their hands, they haven't touched since that life changing night. The same sparks go through both of them, to Harvey it confirms their connection.
"Didn't I just say my world is here in London. I've missed so much Donna." He looks at her helplessly.
"Mommy home time?" They both look down and Amelia is awake but her brother is still sleeping.
"Yes darling lets go home." She turns to Harvey, "I also said I wasn't keeping them from you, so why don't you bring your things?"
She thinks she's never seen him smile the way he is right now. But he has, after they'd finished round 3 during the other time. It makes her feel all warm and fuzzy. This is what she always dreamed of, Harvey turning up and wanting to be in their life. He reluctantly takes his hand from hers. Asking her if she will be ok getting home. She jokes, she's been doing it by herself for two and half years.
Harvey's response…. "Not anymore…"