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Chapter One

"Severus... do you want me to take her, while you get things organized here?" Narcissa Malfoy spoke calmly to the Tall dark haired man who stood holding the small child in his arms. It was evident that the young man was upset, and he had every right to be. The small child in his arms was two weeks old. The tall young man only nodded as he tried to hold back the tears. The other gently pulled the child from his arms.

"Please... keep her safe... thank you, Narcissa... thank you." His voice cracked slightly as he spoke and let the other take the small child from him.

"Please, Severus, it's nothing. Get things organized and meet me at the Manor. Besides Little Adelaide's Godmother would like to spend some time with her." Narcissa smiled before adding, "I know you picked me as Godmother did you two decide on a Godfather before ..."

"No... but Ava had wanted her childhood friend to be GodFather. Only thing is... he would be a muggle." Severus spoke, watching Narcissa, who only raised an eyebrow. "Which I don't think would be the best thing for her."

"I personally do not approve of the Godfather being a Muggle, but up to Severus, you know as well as I do how that will turn out." Narcissa warned before giving a gentle smile, "Her and Draco can have a playdate." She cooed before adding, "Of course i will be stealing her away from Draco... and Lucius has been itching to see her."

Severus nodded and thanked her again before kissing the tiny baby on the head gently and letting the Godmother of his Child take her away to Malfoy Manor.

"How is -" Narcissa heard her husband started before stop speaking, and fall silent as she sat down beside him, the small baby girl in her arms while he held their own son, who was asleep on his chest. Narcissa felt the tears falling, as she clung to the last thing of her friend. While the witch who had had the child with Severus was not Pureblood, she was a halfblood, and had become a close friend of Narcissa. She held the child close and gently as she felt the tears fall. "Are you alright?"

Narcissa composed herself the best she could before but her voice cracked, "I could tell he wanted to cry, Lucius. He needs support now. He only has Adelaide for family now."

"He has us too, Sissa, he knows that. How long do we get little Addie for?"

"I don't know. I told him to get things in order there before he came over."

"Do you know what happened?"

Narcissa hesitated, but then told her husband, "She died last night in her sleep... he needed to get things in order, which was why I brought her over." She looked at her husband, who had one hand on the four week old baby boy of their own, Draco, who was asleep on his upper chest over his heart.

"I don't know what I would do if I woke up without you." Lucius mumbled.

Narcissa nodded, "But we knew it was coming for her. She had been sick the last week and a half and only getting worse." She had gone to help Severus since his daughter was born as Ava, Severus' wife, was far to sick to even speak let alone move. Narcissa had gone to help him, being the closest woman friend the pair had and that Severus was her son's Godfather, she felt obligated to help him. But Ava had only gotten worse, and nothing was helping. In a weeks time she was skin and bones, and barely breathing, Narcissa had known it was coming. But, Severus had been hopeful, despite the odds.

"I can't imagine what is going on over there."

Severus sat on his wife's bed. Tears streaming as he touched the now cold hand one more time. He hadn't meant to meet her, have their daughter, or even marry her. But he did. It had been less than a year from when he had left Hogwarts. He had been drinking. Drinking far too much, and one thing led to another. Two months later he had a letter telling him to meet him. And she told him she was pregnant. He wanted to cast her out, but instead... he brought her in. He married her. They had a fantastic six months and he actually thought she had replaced Lily in his heart, not fully, but gave him the love he wanted and he loved her in return. They had their beautiful daughter and named her after Ava's grandmother, Adelaide. But within days of having their daughter... Ava became deathly sick. It got worse and worse with each day.

Severus called the proper authorities, and watched as the room was cleansed, Ava was removed, and he was told to be in touch so they could schedule a funeral date. His eyes shifted to the nightstand where a simple silver locket sat. Had that been there before? He didn't think so. But reached out and gently picked it up. His eyes read the three simple words enscribed into the locket, Forever and Always, he didn't understand but opened the locket to find a tiny folded parchment. He pulled his wand cast a spell to carefully unfold the parchment. He took it and read it.

Severus,

If you are reading this, I didn't make it. I am writing this on day two of being diagnosed. Our daughter is only three days old. I am in so much pain right now. Every test we run comes back negative and they can't find the cure for this one. I don't think even you, who is an excellent Potions Master, will be able to solve this before whatever this is takes me. I know this isn't how you wanted to spend your life, Severus, and I am truly sorry.

I know you never truly wanted a child, but thank you for accepting responsiblity and helping me. I want you to know i love you. I want you to show our daughter the love you show me, and so much more. Do not shun her for not getting into Slytherin, Severus. As you are well aware that my family cimes from all different houses. We've had one in every house, granted mostly RavenClaw like myself, but many in Hufflepuff too. Do not shun her, Severus, or I will make sure to haunt you!

Now on to the Locket. The Locket is a family heirloom that started with my grandmother's grandmother's great grandmother. It is passed on from mother to daughter for generations and when there hasn't been a daughter it was given to a daughter-in law on her wedding day. Please, when Addelaide is old enough I ask that you give her this locket to continue the traditon. The words enscribed into the silver is what her husband would tell her after saying I love you. He would say it at any time really, as to the pair it was a saying that meant multiple things. For example: Forever and Always I will Love you, forever and always I will stay with you, forever and always I will protect you, etc and etc. It was something they said to each other and something I often said to you at strange times and you never seemed to pick up on it. But it is something I grew up with and want Adelaide to have the locket.

I love you and please, don't push her away. You are her father and she is your daughter. Keep her safe for me.

I love you,

Ava

Severus sat looking at the letter and then his dark eyes moved to the inside of the locket where a small moving picture of Ava holding their daughter right after birth sat tucked neatly into the picture part. On the other side was another picture, him and Ava at their wedding. He had married her to spare her and himself shame. Not because he had loved her at the time. She had known that when she married him. But he had grown to love her. While he still had lingering feelings for Lily, he did love his daughter and his wife as well.

"I promise." He mumbled out his eyes shifting back to the letter before he got up to go gather a few things needed and head over to the Malfoys to get his daughter.