"Baedan?" Remus called up the stairs. "Yeah papa?" came Baedan's voice. "Can you come here? I have something I want to ask you." Remus said. A few moments later, Baedan came thundering down the staircase.
"What is it, papa?" Baedan asked smiling. He had an idea, he'd had the idea for awhile now, but he got his hopes up and each time they were dashed.
This time, however, was quite different. "I was wondering," Remus told his son hesitantly. "If you would mind if someone came to dinner tomorrow night." he looked into his son's face hopefully.
"Who?" Baedan's eyes narrowed. If Papa was going on a date, it better be with Belle, or else Bae was going to throw a fit.
"Belle… Erm, Miss French." Remus mumbled, looking down shyly. He needn't have, however, because at that moment Baedan let out a very loud whoop of happiness. "Really papa? You finally admitted you love each other?" he demanded.
"Baedan!" Remus laughed, shaking his head. "Miss French…. I don't claim to know her mind, much less her heart." he told his son. "We are going to be seeing each other more, shall we say, exclusively though." he added.
"I knew it." Baedan danced around his father eagerly, giggling. "I knew it, Papa, I told you didn't I?" he laughed, his eyes sparkling.
"Yes, Bae," Remus had to agree, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "You were right all along. Perhaps Miss French does care for me." he murmured, half to himself.
"Of course she cares for you." Baedan snarked, bringing his dancing to a halt to hug him tightly. "I've known it all along, silly." he reminded his father.
"Yes, of course… You're right." Remus hugged his son back just as tightly, relishing in the closeness and the comfort it brought. Then, as his son was trying to get even closer to him, he accidentally bumped knees with his bad one.
"Cripes," Remus cursed, falling back onto the couch, as Baedan crumbled. "Sorry papa!" he whispered. "I didn't mean to hurt you." he said hurriedly. But his papa shook his head, gave him a tight smile and asked him to bring him some ice. "In a bag, son. The packed kind, so I can rest my blasted knee." he added.
Baedan rushed off to do as he was asked. "Papa," Bae began slowly as he returned, handing him the ice. "We should call Miss Belle." he said. "She'll want to help you, and I can't really do much." he explained quickly, before his father could shoot the idea down.
"She wasn't supposed to come over til tomorrow night," Remus protested. "She could have plans tonight, son." he added. Baedan gave him a droll look. "I'm calling Chipped Leaves." he told his father in a no-nonsense voice before running right off.
Remus sighed, but he didn't exactly call him back either, so perhaps that attoned for how badly his damned knee was hurting.
Baedan nervously tapped out the numbers on the phone before putting it to his ear. "Chipped Leaves," came a rosy voice that Bae recognised immediately. "Can I help you?"
"Miss Belle? It's Bae." Baedan said anxiously. He could almost feel her go into Mama Bear mode. "What's wrong, Bae? Is Re- your father alright? Are you okay?" Belle demanded.
"I'm fine," Baedan told her quickly. "But I hurt papa's knee on accident. I can't take care of him all by myself and he didn't even really protest when I said I'd call you." he added, biting his lip.
"I'll be there in ten minutes. I'll knock twice. Don't answer the door otherwise." She ordered before hanging up.