The last weeks of Denise's confinement to her bed went rather smoothly. She hated the fact that was kids listened better to Charlie, someone who had been a complete stranger, than to her, someone they had known all their lives. On the last day of her bed rest Denise had had enough. She stood up on her healed leg and walked without difficulty out of her room and down the stairs. Joplin and Harriette were at school and she could hear Rosetta forcing Nate to be her knight in shining armour. She looked at Charlie, resting on the couch with a Quidditch book in his hands. She smiled and walked over, sitting right next to him.
"Denise? Why are you out of bed? There's still one day left on your bed rest." Charlie reminded.
"I know there is. But everyone knows that the last week is just for show. Besides, my bedroom is boring. No television, no windows I can see out of, no radio. No source of entertainment except books, and I've read all of those already. I wanted to come down here and see what was going on. Obviously, nothing." Denise said.
Charlie shut his book and re-positioned himself on the couch so he was facing her properly. It was then that an odd feeling rushed through him. An urge to touch her long, brown hair. To stare deeply into her eyes, which weren't at all red seeing as she had caught up on her sleep. To press his lips against hers. He pushed all those feelings aside. He barely knew her! True he was living in her house, halfway raising her siblings, and he had nursed her back to health. But he knew nothing of the reasons she was raising her sisters and brother instead of her parents. He knew nothing of her childhood, where she was raised. He knew nothing of the kids except their names and what little he had pieced together about their hobbies and interests. He truly knew more of the children than of their care giver.
"Charlie, whats wrong?" Denise asked, noticing the spaced-out look on his face.
"Just thinking. Why did you let me into your house?" he asked.
Denise looked at her hands. She truly didn't know why she had let him in. She barely knew him. Yet, as soon as she had seen him she had trusted him. Trusted him with everything she had, everything she was.
"Because I trust you. You're a good guy and I knew you wouldn't do anything to the kids or to me. And I was right to trust you. You're amazing with the kids, especially Nate. He hasn't had a guy around since dad died." Denise didn't make eye contact.
"How did he die?" Charlie blurted out. Oh my God, be more insensitive. he thought.
Denise looked at him, her eyes making contact with his. She had never told anyone the story. But for some reason she thought she should tell him.
"They were at the Quidditch World Cup last year. You see, they were both Muggle born. Incredibly talented at magic, some of this best during their years at school, but Muggle born nevertheless. After the match, the Death Eaters came. Surely you heard about that." Denise said.
"I was there, with my family." Charlie said softly.
"So you know how much torture and agony several families went through. My parents, there names were Blake and Sabrina, they were running and two Death Eaters saw them and knew that they were, in their words, Mudbloods," Denise shuddered at the word. "One lifted my father into the air, another lifted my mother. They put them under the Cruciatus curse for what had to seem liked hours. But they didn't use the Kedavra curse on them, no. They tortured them to death. They used the, the, the Incendio curse on my father and burned him until he died. They used the Reductor Curse on my mother, blew her up. They have two little memorials out back, a few ashes from what Aurors found of their bodies, not much was left to find though." Denise was in tears as she finished talking.
Charlie felt horrible. Her parents were dead, killed by two horrible curses. Anyone that died from those would have certainly wished to be killed using the Kedavra curse instead. Quick and painless. Denise was shaking with her tears. Charlie, without realizing what he was doing, moved closer to Denise and wrapped his arms around her.
"It's ok Denise. I promise its ok." Charlie said.
"I yelled at them." her voice was muffled but he could hear what she was saying. "The last thing I did was yell at them. I yelled at them for being selfish and going to the game and leaving me with the kids. The last thing I said was mean and rude and selfish and I hate myself so much for doing that."
"They knew you loved them Denise. Of course they knew. They loved you with all their hearts."
"Everything is too much Charlie. The kids, my job, the stress. I want to do a good job, I want to make them proud of me but I don't know how." Denise cried.
"They'll always be proud of you. You're excellent at your job and you held yourself together for your siblings when they really needed you. You're a wonderful person." Charlie assured.
Denise sat up and looked at him. His arms were still around her, she didn't attempt to move them. She felt safe and relaxed, as if nothing could hurt her.
"Would you liked to see the memorials?" Denise asked.
"I would if you would like to show me." Charlie said, not wanting to force her to show him them.
She stood up and took his hand. As she did what seemed like electricity ran through both their bodies. She smiled and pulled him to the back yard. This time he saw two small stone memorials in the flower bed by the small tool shed. He read each one.
Blake Bradley Devins
37
Beloved Father and Husband
He will forever be in our hearts
Sabrina Tracy Sanders Devins
37
Beloved Mother and Wife
She will forever be in out hearts
TBC...