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The cool autumn air felt almost cold against Harvey’s red cheeks. His arms were full of various sundries as he made his way home and the handle of the small bag he had clenched between his teeth was starting to wear down his resolve. He was sweating profusely beneath his tweed suitcoat and even with the chill of the weather, he felt overheated.
Gen had taken the kids for the afternoon and they’d gone down to Leah’s to help her decorate for fall. He hadn’t really been listening, but he’d heard something vaguely along the lines of ‘leaf piles and punkins, daddy ’ and he’d left it at that. As soon as they’d wandered far enough down the path, he’d nearly sprinted into town, desperate to pick up a few things at Pierre’s before the zoo that was his wonderful life got back home.
And now, in his arms and mouth and whatever other appendages he could spare, he carried fresh flowers for a bouquet, diapers, formula, a bottle of hand-soap, a new stuffed animal (Kit had lost hers in the river the other day), a few packets of seeds that Gen needed, and new toothbrushes, because nothing said romance like household needs being met.
As for the little bag in his mouth, well…that was a treat for Gen and only Gen. Well, maybe it was for him a little bit too.
He stepped up onto the porch and immediately began to fiddle with his keys, nearly dropping them and cursing softly as he shuffled the contents in his arms around to accommodate. The door finally swung open and Harvey almost dropped everything as unfettered chaos greeted him.
“Daddy! ” Kit screamed, running straight for him.
“Katherine, give your daddy some room to come in!” Imogen shouted after her.
Harvey could hear Liam crying and Gen walking around in the kitchen, shushing him softly and cooing at him to try and get him to calm down.
“Hi, shweetheart.” Harvey said through his teeth as Kit wrapped her little body tightly around his leg.
Gen came around the corner, a fussy Liam sitting upright in her arms as she patted his back. She was already dressed back in a t-shirt and sweatpants, a towel for spit-up slung over her shoulder. She looked at him, confusion twisting her pretty features as she saw all of the things he was holding.
“I didn’t shink you’d be back yet.” He said, again muffled through his teeth.
Gen chuckled and headed towards him, carefully taking the little gift bag from his mouth before leaning in and pressing a soft kiss to his lips. “It would’ve been nice to stay a little longer, but Liam was getting cranky and I thought he’d do better if we just came home.”
“It was soooo fun, daddy. We raked leaves, and then I got to jump in them while Mommy and Auntie Leah watched! Leah says we can carve punkins later, too! Do you want to carve punkins with us?”
Harvey mouthed a ‘thank you’ to Gen as she managed to take a few more things from his arms before smiling down at his daughter. “I’d love to carve pumpkins with you, princess.”
Kit squealed in excitement before running into the living room to get into Yoba-knows-what. Harvey chuckled at her antics before turning his attention back to Gen.
“He’s really been fussy this whole afternoon? I’m sorry, love. I could’ve come to get him, let you have more time at Leah’s.” He followed her into the kitchen and began to unpack everything.
Gen patted Liam’s back again and brushed a strand of his curly blond hair out of his face as he whimpered. “It’s okay, honey. I just don’t think he had a long enough nap. Besides, you needed to…get all of this,” she gestured, still confused, at the several things that were now laid out on their dining table. “What did you do? I could’ve gone on a grocery trip tomorrow.”
He smiled warmly. “Thought I’d save you the trip.”
She nearly crumpled in soft relief. "Thank you, baby. That was so thoughtful of you.”
“That’s not all, either,” he held up a finger, reaching for the small gift bag. “I’ll trade you.”
Liam was transferred carefully into his arms as he handed her the delicate little bag he’d dutifully carried between his teeth all the way home. He smacked a kiss on his son’s cheek, making the sweet little boy giggle, and bounced him playfully.
“What’s this?” She peeled back some of the tissue paper, her gaze bemused as she lifted the shiny green fabric from the gift bag.
As she unfurled it in front of her, it all became clear. It was a gorgeous, satin, emerald green dress with thin straps and folds in all the right places. He knew it would fit her perfectly (and only knew because Emily had taken Gen’s measurements for her wedding dress and still had them on hand) and he couldn’t wait to take her out in it.
“Harvey…” she gasped softly, staring at the dress in wonder. “It’s beautiful. Wh-why did you get this for me?” Her cheeks were dusted with a beautiful shade of pink and Harvey wondered for a moment if he could love her any more.
“I can’t even remember the last time I took you out on a date, Gen. And I really want to. So, will you please go out and have dinner with me?” He asked, his eyes bright with hope. “Oh, and those flowers are for you, too. Not just for the house.”
Gen hugged the dress to her body and grinned so brightly. “Of course I’ll have dinner with you.” She gushed, stepping forward and pressing a deep kiss to his lips.
Liam squealed delightedly as he was squished between them, his little hands grabbing a fistful of Imogen’s hair and part of Harvey’s mustache. Both of them groaned when he tugged at them, but the sound quickly turned into soft laughter as Harvey endeavored to loosen the baby’s grip. As soon as they were free again, Harvey pressed another quick kiss to Gen’s lips.
“When do you want to have our date night?” She murmured, stepping away and carefully folding the dress back into the gift bag.
“Tonight.”
Her face fell as she looked up at him in concern. “Tonight ? Harv, I’m– I’m all sweaty, covered in dirt and spit-up and leaves and whatever Kit got into at Leah’s–”
“Go take a shower, get ready, take as much time as you want to yourself. I’ve got the kids for now, and I’ve already called Marnie to take them for the night. Apparently Jas is really excited for Kit to come over and play, and Marnie is equally excited to spend some time with our little guy here,” he shifted Liam in his arms again, smiling as his son reached for him. “Everything is all set, honey. I just need you.”
Imogen’s eyes glistened with unshed, emotional tears and she held her hand over her heart. “You really did all this just for me?”
Harvey gave her a sympathetic, pleading look. “I’d do anything for you, Genny. Anything and everything.”
“Harv,” she whispered, a tear finally slipping down her cheek. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Say yes, sweetheart.”
She grinned up at him and her eyes fluttered shut as he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. “Yes, Harvey. I’d love to go out on a date with you tonight.”
“Thank goodness for that,” he chuckled. “Okay, go get ready. Don’t forget your dress–”
She snagged the gift bag and ran out of the room and Harvey was left with his son, who had decided fussing was now a waste of his time.
“What do you say, kiddo, should we put all this stuff away? Most of it’s yours, after all.”
“Daddy!” Kit wailed from the other room.
“What is it, princess?” He called out, trying not to smile as the little girl wandered into the kitchen to find him, a sweet little pout on her lips.
“Will you come and play?”
Harvey pursed his lips before he gasped as if he’d just had the best idea. “I have a new game to play, do you want to know what it is?”
“Yes! Tell me!”
“Hmm, I’m not sure if you’re ready to know it.” He crouched down so he was on Kit’s level.
“I promise I am!”
“Well, this game is for big girls and I don't think you’re a big girl, yet. What do you think, Liam?”
“I am, daddy, I am! I swear I’m a big girl!” To prove herself correct, she stood on her tippy toes, trying to reach Harvey’s height even as he was crouched.
He chuckled and pulled her in for a hug, pressing several sweet kisses to her cheek as she giggled and squirmed. “It looks like I was wrong! You are definitely a big girl. Okay, the game is called, 'Helping Daddy Put Things Away'...”
*****
Gen walked slowly down the stairs, careful not to trip on anything. It had been a long time since she’d worn heels and she was especially nervous now, knowing there might be a toy or two out in the middle of the floor that she might slip on. The dress Harvey had bought for her was an absolutely perfect fit and she loved the way it hugged all of her curves in all of the right places. The straps were thick and dark across the edges of her tanned, freckled shoulders and slanted into an off-shoulder neckline, accentuating her cleavage. The fabric was soft and form-fitting but not too tight and the skirt length was modest, flowing around her hips and thighs with little interference. It reminded her of the dress she’d once worn for their second-anniversary and she was touched that Harvey remembered what she liked so well.
She’d been able to pin up her messy curls in a slightly styled bun, keeping her hair off of her shoulders and adding to the elegance of the look. The makeup she’d put on was subtle and served to enhance her soft features rather than cover them. Harvey loved every inch of her, makeup or not, so she always did it more for herself than anything.
Her adoring husband was waiting at the bottom of the stairs but he was a little preoccupied as he gave Marnie more instructions about their kids. He didn’t get to gaze up at her like he’d planned, but the enraptured look in his eyes was all the same as she got to the base of the stairs.
“Gen–” He choked out, gazing up and down at her like he was seeing her for the first time. “You look absolutely stunning, honey.”
She blushed furiously and twisted her hands in her skirt. “Thank you. For the compliment and the dress,” her eyes flitted over Harvey’s put-together outfit and she grinned. “You look so handsome, Harv.”
And he did. He’d combed through his wily curls, smoothing the tangles out of them and setting them slightly with some pomade. His shirt was a deep blue that made his sparkling green eyes stand out and he was wearing one of his nicer, dark brown suit coats. His slacks matched his coat and he stood before her, thoroughly put together and ready to go.
“You both look really lovely. I’m so happy I can take the kiddos off your hands for a night; you two really deserve to have some time for yourselves. After all you’ve been through…” Marnie started, her expression filled with sympathy.
“Thank you, Marnie. We really appreciate you looking after them.” Gen said, stepping forward and embracing her friend.
Marnie squeezed her tightly, and for a little too long, before finally letting her go. Kit ran into the room, immediately attaching herself to Gen, her little face crumbling as she neared bursting to tears. Gen bent down to pull her daughter into a hug, kissing her temple and rubbing her back gently.
“Mama, do you have to go?” She whimpered.
Gen’s heart nearly broke as she pulled her daughter even closer. “I do, sweetheart. But don’t you worry. You’re gonna have so much fun with Marnie and Jas and your Uncle Shane, okay? Daddy and I will be back to pick you up in the morning so we can have breakfast together, and then you can help me feed the cows. How does that sound?”
Kit buried her face in Gen’s shoulder, sniffling and clinging to her. “We can feed the cows?”
“Yeah, we can feed the cows, baby. Okay?”
“Okay, mommy.” The little girl rubbed at her blue eyes, wiping the tears away.
Gen cupped her small cheek in her hand to help her a little bit and kissed her again. “You’ll have so much fun, sweetie-pie, I promise. Now go give your daddy a hug. We need to get going.”
Kit placed a smacking kiss on Gen’s cheek, making her laugh, before darting into Harvey’s waiting arms. He picked her up and spun her around before squeezing her tight, chuckling as she squealed excitedly. Gen went over to Marnie and kissed Liam goodbye, pinching his chubby little arm lightly. He giggled and reached for her and she let him hold her finger for a minute while Harvey finished saying goodbye to Kit.
“You’re sure you don’t need help getting them down to your farm, Marnie?” Gen asked, her brows furrowing worriedly as she watched Liam.
“Shane is pulling the truck around here in a moment. I told Harvey I’d lock up for you, so you should just get going. These little nuggets will still be here when you get back.” Marnie smiled at Gen knowingly.
“Bye, princess.” Harvey kissed his daughter’s head before finally letting go and standing up, looking at Gen expectantly.
“Come here, sweetheart. Let’s let your mommy and daddy go on their date, okay?” Marnie reached her spare hand down and Kit held her hand, waving goodbye as Harvey was finally able to pull Gen out of the door.
He snagged both of their coats and kept pulling at her arm, coaxing her out of the door as she blew kisses to their children. As soon as the door shut behind them, Harvey breathed a sigh of relief, but Gen’s eyes filled with tears.
“Aw, honey…”He wiped a few of her tears away as they started to slip down her cheeks. “Marnie and Shane are going to take great care of them.” Harvey looked at her sympathetically, wrapping her shawl around her shoulders and pulling her into his solid chest.
“I know that, but Yoba, I’m gonna miss them so much,” she sniffled, wiping a spare tear from her cheek as she hugged him close. “Is this normal? Like, is this a normal thing that parents feel? I feel crazy! I know I’ll see them in the morning, but–”
“Normal doesn’t matter, baby,” he kissed her sweetly on the forehead. “It’s normal for you to feel this way and it’s normal for us. If it’s any consolation, I’ll miss them too. I mean, what if Kit finally loses her first tooth, or what if Liam takes his first steps?”
“Not helping, Harv.” Imogen glared up at him.
He chuckled and thumbed away a few more of her tears. “Listen, I’ve got a great date night planned for us. I know it’s hard to leave them, but how about we make it to destination one before we start missing them?”
“I don’t know, Harv– maybe we should just go back inside.”
“Imogen, please,” he took her hands in his and squeezed, begging her to look at him. “I know it’s hard. I know you’re thinking of their history, and how you don’t want to leave them like…well,” he sighed. “They’ll be okay. We’ll be okay. I promise. I really, really want to take you to dinner, honey. And then I really, really want to tear that dress off of you,” he growled, stepping further into her space and pulling her towards him. He pressed his lips to the shell of her ear until his breath was hot against her. “I want to make love to you like I haven’t been able to do since we got the kids. Long, sweet, slow–”
“Okay, okay, take me on the damned date already!” Imogen squealed, pulling out of his embrace and tugging him towards town like a woman on a mission.
He laughed and chased after her, snagging her hand in his as they made their way towards the Saloon. He grinned as he wrapped arm around her, pressing a long kiss to her temple as she tangled her fingers in his. This was their new normal, and he loved every bit of it.