For the Ultimate Patronus Quest (stork: Write about a pregnancy) and 365 Days Prompt Challenge (ArthurMolly)
The sweet aroma fills his nostrils as he enters their home. Sure enough, there on the kitchen table, is Molly"s sweet bread, drizzled in butter, cinnamon, and sugar. "You only make that on special occasions," he notes, raising his brows. "And whatever happened to the no sweets before dinner rule, my love? Is it my birthday? Oh, God. Is it your birthday? Surely I haven't-"
Molly laughs and presses a finger against his lips, silencing him. "No. No birthdays," she assures him, dropping her hand and kissing his lips. "But it is a special occasion. Sit. Eat."
Her smile is infectious as she sits. Arthur finds himself grinning like an idiot, even without knowing what's going on. He sits across from her, cutting her a slice, then one for himself.
"Bit of a bigger piece," she requests. "I'm eating for two now."
Arthur nods and slides the knife back into the bread, stopping halfway as he registers her words. He drops the knife, looking up at her with wide eyes. "Eating for… two," he repeats slowly, as though he doesn't quite understand the words he's just spoken. "Molly, you're-?"
She laughs, nodding excitedly. Arthur forgets about the bread for the moment, his excitement over the dessert replaced with a new excitement. He climbs to his feet, nearly tripping in his hurry to reach her. His arms wrap around her, and he kisses her, tears clinging to his lashes. "We're having a baby," he says, laughter in his voice. "My God, Molly! We're having a baby."
She caresses his cheek, her lips widening into a grin. "We're having a baby," she agrees.
He kisses her again. They've been trying for so long. And now their prayers have been answered. It takes everything for him not to weep with excitement.
"Don't worry about dinner, love. I'll cook tonight," he assures her. "And tomorrow. And I'll-"
"Arthur. I'm pregnant. I'm not dying," she says firmly, gripping his hands. "I appreciate the sentiment, but I'm still quite capable of cooking and cleaning."
"But you're supposed to…"
He stops himself. There's no point in arguing with her. Molly was a midwife before she decided on a more domestic path. She knows what's best for herself. Still, Arthur worries. He doesn't know much about pregnancy, only that he wants to keep her as happy and free from stress as possible.
"Sit, my love," she says softly. "We're supposed to be celebrating, remember?"
"Oh, right," he says, returning to his chair.
He had all but forgotten the sweet bread in his excitement. He resumes his task of cutting another piece for Molly, frowning to himself. "Is this big enough? How much does the baby need to eat?" he asks.
"That's fine, Arthur," she chuckles, taking the slice. "Thank you."
"We're having a baby."
The words still feel so strange on his tongue. A baby. What they've dreamt of for years. Arthur can't help but to giggle.
"A baby," he says again.
"Eat before it gets cold," she suggests.
But suddenly the bread seems to have no flavor. Nothing could ever be as sweet as the news she's given him.
