Chapter 4 Night with the Nymph
"I am not!" She defended.
"Yes you are." He smiled.
"Oh really?" She gave him a devilish smirk and cuddled against him and running her hand slowly over his chest.
He gasped and looked down at her in surprise.
Ok, never expected her to try that….
And I liked it!
"…..dora…?" He rasped.
"Hmm?" She smiled.
"What…?"
"Still think I'm such a baby?"
He looked at her for a long moment, not knowing what to say.
She definitely wasn't a baby or a little girl anymore. Not in her actions and not in her body. It seemed like he was just now noticing the fact that she was a full-grown woman. He had known that she was, obviously, but he had never really accepted it. He had still viewed her as Sirius' little cousin who had simply gotten bigger.
Now that they were so close his old delusions of her being a child were obliterated. She was definitely grown up. The swell of her hips that narrowed into a flat tummy that stretched out below the soft curves of her chest. And that chest was practically pressed against him! And her hand! It was still on his chest, now tracing out the ribbing in the fabric of his sweater.
He swallowed hard before giving her his answer.
"Perhaps not."
She smiled up at him.
"You know… I think I have a red cape…"
His eyes widened.
Surely she hadn't insinuated what he thought she had… Had she?
"And…why would you need a red cape?"
"Because it looks quite festive at Christmas time." She grinned.
Phew!
"….and just in case there are any big cuddly wolves around." She whispered.
"That's not funny Nymphadora."
"Who said anything about being funny?"
He sighed.
"If Sirius were here, I think I'd wring his mangy neck."
"You don't mean that."
"No, not really, but that story haunts me."
She quirked an eyebrow at him.
"Been chasing wee little girlies in the forest have you?" She smirked.
"More like I'm afraid that I'll try to eat one 'girly' in particular…"
She shook her head and sighed.
"You and I both know that you would never do that."
"Do I? I am more than capable and if I were to lose control I could easily…" He shuddered and let his sentence trail.
"Look at me."
He looked at the floor.
"Remus, look at me."
Reluctantly, he turned his face toward her and she brought her hands up and placed one on each of his cheeks to make sure that he would look at her.
"You are not the monster that you believe yourself to be. A monster would not care about what happens to his friends and their children. A monster would turn his back on the Order and the Ministry. A monster would not worry about hurting others. You are no monster, Remus Lupin. You are a wonderfully kind and intelligent man- even if you are to blind to see that." She had tears in her eyes.
"Why…?"
"Why what?"
"Why do you always try to see the good in me, even when I don't see it in myself?"
She smiled and a tear rolled down her cheek.
He didn't need her to say the words. He knew what her answer was.
Gently, he reached out and wiped away the offending tear.
"I fear that I will never fully understand you, Dora." He smiled.
"I'll keep you on your toes."
"Mmm."
They sat in companionable silence for a time, simply enjoying being in each other's presence.
"It's getting late, perhaps…"
He looked down at her and a small smile quirked the corners of his mouth. She had fallen asleep against him.
Truth be told, it wasn't quite safe to travel at night, especially not alone. He was going to offer to escort her home, but now it seemed a shame to wake her when she looked so peaceful. And to send her out into the cold when she felt so pleasantly warm cuddled up on the sofa beside him seemed cruel.
He stroked her hair lightly. Would it really be so bad if she stayed the night? She was obviously tired and what harm could it really do? And it wasn't like he wanted to do anything inappropriate….
"Dora… wake up, little nymph." He whispered.
Her nose wrinkled and her hand clutched at his shirt, unwilling to let go of him or sleep.
"Dora…" He whispered again. She didn't stir.
He leaned his forehead against hers and sighed.
"Wake up, love. It's time for bed."
"Then why should I wake up?" She muttered.
"A good night kiss…?" He prompted. Maybe that would wake her up.
She opened one eye and then the other and blinked in surprise. He smiled at her.
"It's almost midnight. It might be best if you just spend the night. It looks like it's snowing out."
And it was. He could see large flakes falling outside the window. She shouldn't travel in that.
She looked out the window and then back at him.
"You…don't mind?"
"I certainly don't want you traveling it this weather. Not to mention that travel isn't safe at night anymore…. Besides, I rather enjoy your company." He smiled.
"Alright. Um, you wouldn't happen to have some extra pajamas that I could use, would you? My clothes are comfy but they aren't comfy for sleeping in."
"I'm sure I can find something." He smiled and he stood up and stretched. His muscles had gotten very stiff from sitting for so long.
"I'll go see what I can find." He told her and he headed for his bedroom.
"I'm going to wash my face quick, okay?"
He nodded and disappeared into his room and she got up and went to wash her face.
"I'm sorry, these are the only real pajamas I have. I usually don't wear them." He apologized as he handed her a set of plaid pajamas.
"No, these are perfect. But now I'm curious… What do you wear?" She grinned.
"Drawstring pants and a shirt." He said blankly.
"Awe… spoilsport!"
He smiled. "I'm an old man. Sleeping in my birthday suit all the time is too damn cold for me. And what would people say if I greeted them at the door without a stitch on, hmmm?"
"Yummy?"
His eyes narrowed at her and she giggled.
"I'll be right back." And she went back into the washroom to change.
He went into the kitchen and brewed another two mugs of coco. What a night this was turning out to be….
"So…what do ya think?" She asked, coming out into the kitchen and spinning in place.
Lovely young attractive woman, standing in my kitchen in my pajamas that are far too large for her…. What am I supposed to think?
Perfect!
"You look like you put on your dad's clothes…again." He chuckled.
"Nah! Dad's not as tall as you."
"Really? I thought he was at least the same height…"
She shook her head.
"You're definitely a good five or six inches taller, easily."
He smiled and shook his head. Her dad might not be tall but her was definitely a character, at least that was what he had come to understand from the stories that Sirius had told him.
"Oh, did you make more cocoa?"
"Hm? Oh, yes. Here." He handed her a mug.
"Thanks. Hey, you know what? I'm starting to think that drinking your cocoa is making it snow." She smiled.
"What? That's absurd Nymphadora."
"Did you ever hear that drinking hot chocolate will cause it to snow?"
"As someone who is so fond of the beverage, I believe I would have by now if it were true."
She rolled her eyes.
"Well, it's not true per say, but…. It's just one of those things… It's true if you believe it is."
"Like a superstition."
"Yeah, only not negative."
"You're quite a character Nymphadora."
"That's what mum always says, but I take after her, so…." She grinned.
They finished up their cocoa and He put the mugs in the sink. There was no need to wash them now; they could sit in the sink until morning.
"Well, now that it is even later, perhaps it is time to turn in."
"Do you have an extra blanket?"
He cocked his head to the side and made a confused expression.
"I just don't want to catch a draft or something while I'm on the sofa." She explained.
"No, you shouldn't sleep on the sofa. It's far too stiff. Take my room and I'll camp out here." He told her.
"Don't be silly Remus. I'm not going to let you sleep out here on the sofa. This is your house. You shouldn't have to give up your room for me. Come on…" She said and she grabbed his wrist and led him toward the bedroom.
"No, really Nymphadora…." He tried to reason.
It really wasn't appropriate! What was she thinking? And what the hell was he thinking for letting her think what ever she was thinking?
"The bed's plenty big enough for two people." She said as she half dragged him into the room.
Instantly he felt hot under the collar and could feel a blush rising in his cheeks.
"Nymphadora…" He said wearily.
She turned and looked up at him exasperatedly.
"Really Remus! It's no big deal. It's just like when I went camping with you guys that summer we met and I ended up sharing your sleeping bag that first night because I was so scared of the woods. Just get changed and come back so we can get some sleep, okay?"
Camping? ……..The impromptu camping trip that he, James and Sirius had gone on. And Nymphadora had gone too. He had almost forgotten about that. Hmm… She had a point. Sleeping in the same bed wouldn't be much different than sharing a sleeping bag. Granted there would be more room, but still, the idea was the same.
With a sigh he went to his dresser and gathered up his sleepwear and headed into the washroom to change.
When he came back into the room, she was turning down the bed covers.
She turned and looked at him and smiled.
He looked good. He was wearing a pair of plaid pants, quite similar to the ones he had given her to wear, and a black long sleeved tee shirt. His hair was slightly rumpled and his feet were bare.
"Left or right?" She asked.
"What…?"
"Left side or right side? Which do you want?"
"Lady's choice." He smiled. He didn't have a preference- he usually ended up sleeping somewhere in the middle most nights anyway.
She laughed and climbed into the side to his left. She fluffed the pillows once and then looked at him expectantly for a minute.
"Well? Are you coming to bed or are you just going to stand there all night?"
Hesitantly he moved toward the bed and climbed in beside her and was instantly covered by the blankets and bed sheets.
Here eyes rolled again.
"Jesus Remus, relax already. No wonder you have so much gray in your hair. You're too high strung. Lay down and take a deep breath."
"What?"
"Just do it."
He shot her a sideways glance but he laid back against his pillows anyway, closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
She smiled and laid down beside him and clasped his hand in hers, causing him to open his eyes.
"Better?"
"A little." He smiled weakly.
"Okay… I think I know what will help… but first…." And she leaned over and kissed his cheek.
"Night Remus." She smiled and then she released his hand and turned onto her side, facing away from him.
She was trying to make it easier for him, trying to make him feel more comfortable…. And it made him feel worse. He really hadn't wanted her to turn from him. It was just that he wasn't used to being so close to her and especially not lying down, as it were… It was something he needed to get used to….
Well, he couldn't very well let her go to sleep thinking that he didn't want her there with him. He did, more than anything.
He laid on his side and wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her too him. She squeaked in surprise and he smiled at that. His hand sought out hers and when his found it he entwined his fingers with hers.
"Re-Remus? She whispered.
She sounded a bit surprised, but not afraid.
"Are you warm enough?"
An innocent excuse…..
"Mhmm." She murmured with a smile and she leaned back into him and sighed.
"Nice and toasty." She said.
"….Dora?"
He was curious about something she had told him earlier and if he didn't ask her now, he might never….
"Yes?"
"I…um…well, I was just wondering… And you're under no obligation to answer, but…"
"Just ask me Remus." She said with a small exasperated sigh.
"Wh-when you told me about your fantasy…" He swallowed hard. "Who- who was the mother?"
Her form shook beneath his arm and he heard her chuckle merrily.
"Oh Remus. Is that all? You made it sound like you were going to ask me something inappropriate."
"Isn't asking about a fantasy 'inappropriate'?
"No, it's personal." She laughed.
"Oh, then…."
"No, I didn't mean it like that. I don't mind. So you want to know who the mother was?"
"Yes." He said, his voice a bit raspy.
She turned onto her back, so that his arm was draped over her abdomen and she was looking up at him.
He was quite aware of the change in position and how it had become infinitely more intimate in the blink of an eye.
She smiled up at him and her eyes sparkled in the dim light that filtered through the window curtains.
"Well, it was my fantasy, wasn't it?" She giggled.
"I'm sorry…." He said, his cheeks flushed.
"Don't be sorry Remus. I'm glad you asked."
"Why…?" He asked her, quite puzzled.
"It shows that you have an interest in having a family some day." She smiled.
Would that family be with you, by any chance?
"Nymphadora, I…"
"I just mean that it's good to know you don't want to be alone all your life." She said.
Though I wouldn't complain if you wanted that family with me…
He frowned.
"I'm not alone. I have the Order and friends and…"
"Remus, you know that's not what I meant. Yes, you do have your friends and your work for the Order, but you need something else in your life, someone else."
He sighed heavily and nodded.
"Perhaps… But, at least for tonight, I'm not alone." And he tightened his arm around her slightly, pulling her closer and he lightly kissed her forehead.
"No, you're not." She whispered in agreement.
And you never have to be again….
He smiled at her and rested his head against hers.
"Good night, little nymph." He whispered and he brushed his lips against her cheek before lifting his head and tucking her securely in the crook of his body, resting his head above hers, holding her protectively.
She smiled to herself and snuggled into his embrace, very content and very warm. He smiled to himself and breathed deeply, taking in the smell of her shampoo and the lingering aroma of fading perfume. He wasn't cold, he wasn't sad. He was warm, happy, and best of all…. He wasn't alone.