Sorry about the fonts.
CHAPTER 2
Harvey rolled out of bed, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He could hear whining, like someone is crying. As he approached Michelle's room, he noticed the door slightly ajar.
"Michelle," he said, stepping in. "You okay?"
Michelle looked up at him, her big brown eyes filled with tears. "I don't feel good."
She is curled up, holding her stomach tight. Just then she vomits on her sheets.
"Okay, let's get you checked out," he said, his voice steadier than he felt. He picked her up gently, cradling her against his chest. She was warm, and he could feel her small frame trembling.
As he hurried to the car, his mind raced. He wasn't prepared for this. But looking down at Michelle, his heart swelled with an instinct he never knew he had.
"Harvey?" she mumbled, her voice weak. "I'm scared. It hurts."
"Hey, I'm right here. You're going to be okay. We're just going to the hospital to make sure," he reassured her, trying to keep his own fear at bay.
At the hospital,
"I need help! Someone help me!"; says Harvey entering the emergency entrance to the woman behind the reception area. The woman calls a nurse over and Michelle gets whisked away.
As the nurse wheeled her away, Michelle turned back to him, her eyes wide with fear. "Dad!" she called out, and Harvey could see the trust in her gaze. The word hit him like a freight train. "Dad." It was the first time she had called him that, and it stirred something deep inside him—a mix of warmth and fear.
"Right here!" he replied, feeling a surge of protectiveness wash over him. "I'll be right here when you get back."
In that moment, as the doors slid closed, Harvey realized he had crossed a threshold he never thought he would. Harvey stood outside the examination room, his heart pounding in his chest. He could hear muffled voices, the sound of a child crying, and it sent a wave of anxiety through him.
Harvey searched his pockets looking for his phone, realized he left it back at home. He goes to the reception area and asks to use the phone, he dials.
"Hello?" she answered, her voice sleepy.
"Michelle's in the hospital. I didn't know what to do," Harvey admitted, his voice cracking just slightly. "I-."
"I'm on my way," Donna replied immediately. "Which hospital?"
After sometime Donna arrives, they wait together.
"I have been so upset at Viviane, and the stages I missed and time lost that I didn't- I might lose her again,; says Harvey. "She called me 'Dad'."
Donna is as scared as Harvey, she remains quiet as she doesn't find words to comfort him.
Hours felt like days until a nurse finally emerged, her expression kind but serious. "She has a stomach virus. We'll need to keep her here for a bit to monitor her and make sure she stays hydrated."
"Can I see her?" Harvey asked, his voice urgent. "Sorry, can we?"
"Of course," the nurse replied, leading them inside.
Michelle lay on the hospital bed, looking even smaller in the oversized gown. She was pale, her eyes shimmering with tears. As Harvey and Donna stepped closer, they could see the fear etched on her face.
"Hey, I told you I'll be right here," he said softly, taking her small hand in his. "Look who is here."
"Donna," she whispered, her voice shaky. "I don't want to be here."
"I know, but it's just for a little while. You're going to get better, and then we can go home and theater, okay?" she promised, brushing a loose strand of hair from her forehead.
Just then, the doctor entered, explaining the treatment plan in a calm and soothing manner. Harvey and Donna listened closely, nodding along, but Harvey's focus was on Michelle. He could see the tears brimming in her eyes, and it broke his heart.
"Hey, I know you're scared right now," Harvey said, his voice steady. "But I'm here and so is Donna. You've got this."
As the doctor prepared to put an IV, Michelle's fear bubbled to the surface. "Hey, I'm here," he reassured her, squeezing her hand tightly. "Just focus on me. The IV is going to help you feel better."
The nurse finished. Michelle looked tired but relieved, the IV pumping fluids into her tiny body.
"See? That wasn't so bad, was it?" he asked, forcing a smile.
"Kind of," Michelle replied, her voice still small but now laced with a hint of humor. "Don't make me do that again?"
"Deal," he said, his heart swelling with love for this brave little girl. "I think that earned you an ice cream for dinner."
As the hours passed, Harvey stayed by her side. Donna went to work and Mike came to tell him about their latest case. Michelle fell asleep to Harvey telling her the strategy. By the time they were discharged later that evening, Michelle leaned against him, her small frame tired.
"Dad," she murmured, her voice soft. "Stracciatella ice cream."
"Yeah."; response Harvey, it still doesn't feel real her calling him dad.
Harvey smiled, feeling tired himself. "Yep."
As they get home, Harvey walks into his room holding a spoon and a mini tub of ice cream which he pass to Michelle. Michelle excitedly grabs it and go back to watching her screen, Harvey flops next to her and instantly falling asleep.
It's been a year. Mike and Harvey are in the office, working on something for Jessica.
"Has Michelle said anything about Rachel?"; says Mike.
"Why would Michelle talk about Rachel?"; respond Harvey without even looking at him. Donna walks in to join the conversation.
"Did something happen?"; asks Donna sitting down. Mike turns to face Donna, Harvey rolls his eyes and continue typing on his laptop.
"So whenever I talk about Rachel, she changes the subject or just stare at me with annoyance."; says Mike. Donna chuckles.
That evening after a long day at the firm, Harvey arrived home and found Michelle sprawled across his bed, flipping through an encyclopedia of Dinosaurs. She looked up and grinned at him. "Dad! Look what I got from the Library."
"Let's talk," he said, settling down beside her.
"About what?" Michelle asked, curiosity brightening her eyes.
"About you and Rachel," Harvey began cautiously. "Mike told me you seem a bit… unsure about her."
Michelle's expression changed, her brow furrowing. "She's fine, I guess. He said they are dating now."
"Yeah" Harvey raised an eyebrow. "You wanna share your thoughts?"
She sat up, crossing her arms. "He talks about her all the time now. Rachel just… takes up his time."
"Is that how you feel?" Harvey asked gently. "That Rachel is taking Mike away from you?"
"Yeah! It feels like that sometimes. I mean, he spends time with her and not just with me," she replied, her voice tinged with frustration.
Harvey nodded, understanding dawning on him. "You're still Mike's favorite. Mostly my favorite girl."
"Dad," she chuckles. "Mike and I are going to the museum tomorrow. I am super excited."
Harvey reads a couple of pages and as he looks down she was out.
It's morning, Mike arrives late. Harvey gives him a stink eye
"Just keep her entertained," he instructs him. "It's a big deal for her."
"Don't worry, Harvey, I've got it covered," Mike had assured him, confidence oozing through the line.
When they arrived, Rachel was already waiting outside. "Hey, guys!" she called, waving excitedly. "Ready to see some dinosaurs?"
Michelle's eyes widened. "You're coming too?"
"Of course! The more, the merrier," Rachel said with a grin.
For a moment, Michelle hesitated, the surprise flickering across her face. "I thought it was just going to be me and Mike."
Rachel bent down to tie Michelle's shoelaces. "There! All set for our adventure," she said cheerfully.
The trio started their tour, marveling at the exhibits. Rachel was enthusiastic about the art displays, while Mike tried to keep things educational, explaining the history behind the artifacts. Michelle soaked it all in, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
After a particularly fascinating exhibit on ancient Egypt, Rachel glanced at her watch. "Okay, how about we grab a snack before heading to the next section?"
"Good idea!" Mike agreed, but as they turned to leave, Michelle suddenly darted off toward a display labeled "Dinosaurs of the Late Cretaceous."
"Michelle, wait!" Rachel called, but she was already lost in her excitement, weaving through a crowd of visitors.
"Just a second, I'll get her," Mike said, moving after the girl. But as he turned, the crowd shifted, and suddenly, Michelle was nowhere to be seen.
"Uh, Rachel…" Mike said, panic creeping into his voice. "I can't find her."
"What do you mean you can't find her?" Rachel replied, her voice rising. "She was right here!"
Hope you enjoyed, leave a review about your thoughts.