A/N: Thank you so much for your lovely feedback on our first chapter. Sorry it took a while before we're able to update. This is another short chapter but we promise the next ones will make up for it *wink wink* Enjoy reading and let us know what you think about it. :)
"The earliest flight available going to Chicago is at 10 pm, Mr. Specter." He hears the clerk say in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the JFK airport. "There's a weather storm warning in place. Most of the planes will be grounded, the airport is just allowing a limited number of planes to fly." The clerk explained. People left and right of him are evidently confused, worried and upset just like him.
"You've got to be kidding me!" Harvey couldn't hide his disappointment. He's already worn down just from the news that his daughter is undergoing a surgery and he couldn't be there. To add to that, it's been an hour and Donna hasn't called him back to give him any updates and she's also not answering any of his calls. He feels helpless, knowing that his skills as a lawyer wouldn't help the situation he's in. Usually, he would argue or make a deal with whoever it is to get what he wants, but not this time. He has no other choice but to wait and take the 10 pm flight.
He has about five hours to spare at the airport. He drags himself out of the crowd and finds a place with lesser people just to allow himself to breathe and think calmly of what he could and should do in the meantime. Calls from Jessica, Mike, and Louis are all ignored from the moment he left the firm. He slumps down to a seat and calls them one by one explaining his situation. They are all very understanding and have sent regards hoping that Avery's surgery goes well. Jessica allowed him to have a week off, the amount of time he used to take before every time he visited Chicago.
Those five hours were such a dread. All he did was pace back and forth, watch the news for any updates about the storm, as well as check his phone from time to time to see if Donna had called or left a message but there was none.
The storm lasted longer than expected which caused his flight to be delayed all the more. He ran his hand through his hair out of exasperation. His 10 pm flight was delayed to 1 am which was further delayed to 3 am.
He's the first in line when his flight gets called, his steps quick as he enters the plane and finds his seat. First class tickets are all booked so he has no choice but to take the economy flight, an unexpected cancellation, just so he can get to Chicago as soon as possible. He's stuck on the far end row, a middle seat with a sulking teenager on his right and a mother with a crying baby in her arms on his left. Luckily, it's only a 2-hour flight and he'll be out of the place in no time.
True to his word, he's out of that plane within a snap of a finger. He immediately hails a cab, shouting the name of the hospital as he tries to get settled in the back seat, his foot incessantly tapping on the car floor. The drive is short and they reach the place in half an hour.
"Avery Specter," he says, almost out of breath as he steps up to the front desk. "I'm looking for Avery Specter. I'm his father. She was taken for surgery—," he pauses, remembering how much time has passed. "Yesterday."
"Discharged." The receptionist informs him in a clipped tone. Stepping away, he automatically fishes out for his phone hoping to call Donna to find out where Avery is. Only to realize that his phone's already out of battery. He curses under his breath as he makes his way out of the hospital, lost as to what to do next. He breathes in as much air as he can, trying to cope up with the fatigue and exhaustion hitting him. He gets into the first cab waiting outside and gives the only address he knows in Chicago.
After almost two years, it's time to see his wife again. And of course their daughter, Avery.