Note: 30 chapters! 3 months! No idea how we got here. Thrilled you are all still here too. Thank you for your patience and for sticking with me. This has been so beyond fun. Not done yet, but I think we are getting close to the end with these idiots. But who knows.
Shameless self-promo – if you haven't yet, I'd love for you to give It Should Have Been Me a read. Totally different vibe and just a quick one shot, but RATR was my first fic, and I really don't want it to be my last, so wanted to try something new and would love your thoughts since you have been so generous with your feedback here.
…
Just as Donna expected, it was about 6 weeks later when she was finally able to be seen by her OBGYN. 6 weeks of a very nervous and attentive Harvey, that, to be honest, was starting to get on her nerves.
"Harvey," she pushed as he tried to carry her purse for her, "I'm pregnant, not an invalid."
Harvey sighed, "Come on, Donna, you've still been sick almost every day. I'm just trying to help."
Donna rolled her eyes, but Harvey was right. The last few weeks had been rough, and she was looking to hopefully get some relief once she was out of the first trimester.
Stopping first on the 26th floor to check on Rosie, Harvey and Donna headed out of the office early for her first appointment.
As they passed the little girl between the two of them, Harvey planted a big kiss on her cheek. "Guess what? Mommy and Daddy are going to see your baby sister today!"
"Baby!" Rosie squealed in response. At 14 months old, Rosie was becoming much more chatty; with baby being a recent and frequently used addition to her expanding vocabulary.
Donna smiled as she looked at the two of them together. She didn't know how they were going to handle two kids under two, but seeing the light in Harvey's eyes when he looked at Rosie was enough to know they were going to be just fine.
"We'll be back soon, sweetheart," Donna gave their girl a soft kiss as Harvey handed her back to Miss Amy.
"Bye-bye!" the little girl waved. She never had a problem being left at daycare; she was fiercely independent; a fact that both made her parents proud, but also a little bit sad.
Donna sighed as they walked out, "She's already too cool for us," she gave Harvey a weak smile.
Harvey slipped his arm around Donna's waist, "We obviously have the coolest kid, Donna, that was never going to be a question," he smirked.
Donna rolled her eyes as they got into Ray's car, her hand assuming its new preferred place on her stomach.
Harvey beamed as he looked at her next to him. She wasn't showing any more than as if she had eaten a big lunch, but he was certain she somehow became more beautiful each day. Knowing that she was carrying his child, their child, brough out a possessiveness that he had never felt before.
She was his; they were his. He was watching her grow and protect one of the most important things in his life. It was why he was so worried about her, so worried that something could go wrong.
"I can feel you staring," Donna quipped, her gaze still turned towards the window.
Harvey reached for her hand, as Donna turned to meet his eyes, "I wonder what she's going to look like," he said quietly.
Donna gave him a soft smile; hearing him talk about their unborn baby with such wonder and affection filled her with a rush of warmth.
"I hope she has your eyes," Donna gave him a look, "Even though one look from them has been enough to sink me for years. I'm toast if I have to deal with three pairs of them."
Harvey smiled, "I hope she has your hair. I always –" he trailed off.
Donna cocked her head to the side when he didn't continue, "Always what?"
Harvey exhaled, "You knew I never saw myself as a father," he started cautiously, "but when I'd talk to my dad or Marcus, and they'd push me on it," he shook his head, "When I let myself think about what it would be like, it was always with you."
Donna had tears in her eyes as Harvey described feelings that had mirrored hers so well.
"I know that's not fair, and I know I wasn't ready, or willing to act on it, but I just couldn't shake that if this were to ever happen for me, that I would be surrounded by a bunch of little redheads," he gave her a half-embarrassed smile.
Donna raised an eyebrow, "A bunch?"
Harvey gave her a smirk, "Well, with how awesome I figured they'd be –"
"You're an idiot."
…
After getting her blood drawn, Donna and Harvey were escorted back into an exam room and instructed to wait for the doctor to return with the results. Harvey, unable to remain still, paced back and forth nervously while Donna lounged on the examination table in her gown.
"Harvey," she started, "You're going to need a new pair of shoes before we go back to work if you keep trapsing around like that."
He sighed, "It's taking a long time."
Donna sat herself up on the table, "Harvey, this is all normal. This is probably going to be the least exciting appointment we have over the next 8 months."
Harvey dropped back into his seat and grabbed her hand. "I wouldn't exactly call confirming that you're pregnant the least exciting thing –"
Donna rolled her eyes, "You know what I mean. This is all routine; they might not even do an ultrasound today if –"
Donna was cut off as her OBGYN, Dr. Adkins entered the room, a big smile across her face.
"Donna," she extended a hand, "It's wonderful to see you."
"Hi Kelly," Donna beamed, as she noticed Harvey shifting in his chair, "I'd like you to meet my fiancé, Harvey."
"Harvey," Dr. Adkins extender her hand in his direction, "It's great to meet you. And might I be the first one to offer my congratulations to you both," she gave them a knowing smile.
Donna and Harvey locked eyes as they took in for the first time, someone else confirming what they already knew.
"Thank you, Kelly" Donna's eyes filled with tears.
Harvey regained his grip on Donna's hand as the doctor took a seat at her desk.
"Your bloodwork looks great, there's just one thing –"
Harvey's grip on Donna's hand tightened with the uncertainty in the doctor's voice.
"Kelly?" Donna looked towards her friend when she continued to silently stare at her screen.
"When did you say your last period was?"
Donna blinked, "It would have been right before Christmas…" she trailed off as she tried and failed to remember the date, a sinking feeling starting to form in her stomach.
Dr. Adkins typed something on her computer and looked back up at a now concerned Donna.
"I only ask because your hCG levels are high for someone who is estimated to be about 8 weeks along…"
Donna swallowed hard, "Is that…is that something to be concerned about?"
"No, not yet," she paused, "I'd like to do an internal examination," she continued cautiously, "these levels this early are generally only found when we are looking at a multiple pregnancy."
Donna's eyes went wide, but her racing thoughts were interrupted by a laugh from her left. Her neck snapped to look towards Harvey who sat there with a wide smile on his face.
"Only you and I could be so good that we make two babies at once," he said smugly.
"Harvey…" Donna couldn't find the words to fight him as she considered what her doctor had just said.
"Like I said," Dr. Adkins cut in, "I'd like to do an internal examination to see what we're working with before we start jumping to conclusions."
Nodding silently, Donna laid back on the table as Dr. Adkins prepared her for the ultrasound.
"Alright," Dr. Adkins started, as she assessed what she saw on the screen in front of her, Donna's gaze locked on her face as she tried to read her facial expressions.
With a smile, Dr. Adkins turned towards them, "looks like we only have one baby in here."
"Oh my god," Donna's hand flew up over her eyes as she smiled and let out a sigh of relief. "Harvey, could you imagine –" she looked over at him, expecting to see the same cheeky smile, only to be met with furrowed brows and deepened brown eyes.
"If it's not twins, then is something else wrong?" he asked quietly, staring forcefully towards the doctor.
The thought of having multiples had pulled Donna out of her earlier concern just long enough, but the look on Harvey's face jolted her back into their uncertain reality.
Dr. Adkins shook her head, her smile never faltering, "Nothing is wrong," she stated gently, "This one looks like they're developing perfectly…." she paused, "for someone who is about 14 weeks along."
14 weeks.
Donna blinked, "Wh – what?"
Dr. Adkins turned the monitor to allow Harvey and Donna a first glimpse of their baby.
Both were silent as their eyes locked in on the screen, a screen that revealed a much clearer image and shape of a baby than either of them were expecting to see.
Harvey squeezed Donna's hand, causing her to turn her tear-filled gaze towards him.
"That's our girl," he said with a watery smile.
Donna felt like the entire world stopped around her. She turned back to look at the screen, at the baby that was growing inside of her. Their girl who was made as a result of the most genuine love in the world.
She shook her head, "How could I not have known…" she trailed off.
Dr. Adkins gave her a reassuring smile, "Every pregnancy is different, you'd be surprised by how many people show up thinking its early on only to find out they're months in."
"But she's okay?" Donna whispered, a hint of desperation in her voice.
Dr. Adkins nodded, "I've known you long enough not to ask how you came to that conclusion but yes, your little girl is growing just as she should be."
Donna let out a deep sigh as she turned back to Harvey, who's eyes remained glued to the screen, taking in every little flicker of movement.
"Hey," Donna whispered, giving his hand a squeeze. Harvey moved his gaze back to her.
"She's sneaky," Donna smiled, "we're in trouble."
Harvey let out a laugh as a tear fell from his eyes. "She's perfect," he whispered, "you're perfect."
Donna squeezed his hand as she allowed her tears to fall.
"What do you say we take a listen to her heartbeat?" Dr. Adkins asked softly, not wanting to interrupt the moment.
Donna inhaled, as she gave an eager nod towards the doctor.
A steady woosh – woosh – woosh filled the room, and Donna was sure it was the most beautiful sound she had ever heard.
"Everything sounds great," Dr. Adkins reassured them, "give me a few minutes and I'll have some photos printed out for you, and we'll get your next appointment scheduled."
…
As Harvey helped Donna zip up her dress, his hands drifted down to the slight bump that was causing the form-fitting fabric to pull. "I can't believe she's really in there," he whispered, placing a kiss on her temple, his hands moving gently over her abdomen.
Spinning around to face Harvey, Donna quipped, "I can't believe she was hiding from us for so long."
Harvey pulled Donna in for a kiss, "All that means is that we get to have her here with us sooner."
Donna's lips smiled against his, as an image of Harvey and a tiny baby girl flashed in her mind. "You know what being 14 weeks along means?"
He pulled back and shook his head, his brow slightly raised.
"It means your little pep talk after Thanksgiving worked," she gave him a look.
A smile broke out on Harvey's face when he realized what she meant, "You were the one who said a little practice couldn't hurt while the jury was still out."
"Or maybe you were just that convincing, Counsellor."