A/N: I don't actually have anything to say.. so, enjoy!
Update: 7/27/14
September 2005.
Over a year had passed since Michelle had mailed Harry. And she never got a reply. She was glad that back when she had originally sent out the letter she never told Dudley. He never mentioned reconnecting with his cousin again, but every once in awhile, she knew he was thinking about Harry. Just an odd comment he'd make every now and again. Just a week ago, she mentioned maybe taking a vacation, for she had been feeling under the weather lately. Waking up queasy, and dizzy if she were to stand up to fast. He was up for it, until she mentioned getting a cabin. She had heard of this quaint sea-side rental. The way it stood, the water would brush up against one of the outside walls. But he shot it down quick; said something about a giant, and she heard him mutter the name 'Harry'.
Throughout the year though, he had been working hard to futher his position at Grunnings. He told her that even though he didn't want to turn into his father, and have work become his main concern, he wants to make sure that when they have children they'll will be able to fully support them. Michelle was busy as well though. She was trying to turn their apartment into a home. And begining her own career at Gringotts, as a loan distributer. She never forgot about the letter though, or the lack of reply.
o ~ O ~ o
After one particular tough day at Gringotts, Michelle apparated home, to find the living room of her apartment filled with bouqets of flowers. She walked around smiling, and trailing her fingers across the petals of a group of red roses. She took a deep breath, trying to appreciate the smell. Holding her fingers to her nose, she took a shallow breath, and closed her eyes. She opened them when Dudley came up behind her, and wrapped his arms around her stomach. He kissed the top of her head when she felt a slight stirring begin in her stomach. She quickly slid her hand to cover her mouth, and pulled out of his arms to rush to the bathroom. 'Michelle?'
Once in the bathroom, she collapsed to the floor, and gave into the feeling of nausea. Dudley stood in the doorway, looking at his wife, a frown on his face. He heard her sigh, and watched as she leaned her forehead on a bent arm. Entering the room, he wet a cloth and laid it on her heated neck. Sitting on his knees, he scooped her hair into his hand, removing it from her face. 'Dudley, you need to leave!' She said weakly. 'I don't want you to see me like this!'
'Remember when we stood in front of Reverend Andrews? And declared our love for each other?' He asked. Dropping a kiss to the back of her neck, he began to rub her back. ''Cause I do. It for me it means that no matter what, I'm always going to be here for you, darling.' He felt a small shudder pass through her body under his hand, and heard her groan.
'Ugh! Yeah, well. I wish you didn't have to.' Sticking her tounge out at him, she slowly stood. Dudley leaned back, and looped his arms casually around his bent knees.
Looking up at his wife, Dudley studied her while she brushed her teeth. He narrowed his eyes, noticing the slight roundness of her stomach. 'Darling.' He started, pausing until she turned to look at him. Her brows raised, she tilted her head, waiting for him to continue... Did he guess? No! He couldn't have. She argued with herself. How can he be thinking what I just found out this morning. I wonder how long he's had a suspi- she stopped her internal rambling when she saw his mouth moving.
Giving him a sheepish look, 'Sorry. I kind of got lost in my own world.' She held a hand out to him, and helped him stand. Smiling, she met his gaze, and asked, 'Now. What were you saying?'
He paused, staring into her blue eyes, he tried to hide his excitment incase he was mistaking. What if she's not? I don't want her to think that I think she's getting fat.. Shaking his head, a small frown crossed his face. 'I asked, how long have you been having problems with your stomach?'
Shrugging, she looked down. 'Just since the begining of the week.' Resting a hand on her abdomen, she felt his hand on her chin.
Raising her chin until she looked at him. He said, 'Maybe you should make an appointment with a Healer? If it's been going on for the entire week.'
Michelle bit her lip, and started twisting her fingers together. How is he going to take this news? 'D- Dudley? There's something I do need to tell you. B- but, let's go into the liv- kitchen!' He nodded his head.
When they left the bathroom, he laid a hand against her pale cheek, and softly said: 'No matter what, love, we're in this together. Okay?' He took her hand, and brought her fingers to his lips, 'I love you.'
After letting out a shaky breath, Michelle nodded and went into the kitchen. Pulling out a chair, she bit her lip before saying, 'Well, you see. When I got up this morning, I was feeling sick, again! And it was like the fourth time this week. When I woke on Monday, and felt it, I thought it was from dinner the night before. You know, Thai food and all.' Shrugging, she stared at the table, and started tracing shapes into the top of it with her fingers. 'Anyways, when I was getting ready for work this morning, I was still nausea. But I apparated anyways, and when I got there.. well my only slightly queasy tummy kind of went full blown. I feel bad for whoever had to clean that up!' She gave a shaky laugh, and looked at him.
'So, are you telling me, that you have the stomach flu? Or that the Thai food from the other night made you sick?' Dudley asked. He wiped his sweaty palms on his thighs, and held his breath.
'Well, no.' Furrowing her brow, Michelle shook her head. 'Well, Abrog, the goblin in charge? He told me to go to St. Mungos and get checked over. I might just need a Pepper-Up potion. The stomach flu for us only lasts for three days, but for goblins it can last up to a month.' She said helpfully. 'But so, I apparate to St. Mungos, and repeat what had just happened at Gringotts. Well they getting me into a examination room pretty quickly. And I'm sitting there, and they have me pee in a cup. And run a couple different tests.' Taking a deep breath, she met his gaze, 'And well.. you see.. I'm.. your'e... uh..'
Leaning across the table, Dudley cupped her chin and smiled. 'Are you trying to tell me that there's going to be a baby in our lives?'
When she saw the smile in his eyes, she asked, 'Would you be okay with that?'
Jumping up, Dudley let out a shout of joy, and pulled into his arms. 'Are you kidding?' I'm totally, completely okay with that!' Looking down, he smiled at her. 'How are you? How's the baby? Is everything okay in there?' He pointed to her stomach and grinned. 'You're both healthy, right?'
Laughing, Michelle burried her face into his chest and nodded. Blinking back tears, she said, 'Yes. We're both healthy. I'm twelve weeks along. I heard the heartbeat today.' She smiled at him, 'It's strong; just like her daddy!'
Gasping, Dudley felt his eyes widen. 'I think I need to sit.' Reaching behind him blindly, he pulled a chair to him, and sat down, pulling her with him. She sat on his lap, and wrapped an arm around his neck. 'Wow. Twenty minutes ago, I didn't even know you were pregnant. No I'm going to be the father to a baby girl.'
Giggling, Michelle ran a hand through his hair, and rubbed her cheek against his. On a sigh, she said, 'I don't know if it's a girl or not. I've just got this feeling.' She gently caressed her stomach.
'I bet you it's a boy!' Dudley grinned, and placed a noisy kiss to her cheek. 'I mean, look at it. I'm a boy.' He held up a finger, 'My only cousin is a boy,' Another finger went up. 'And you've got two brothers!' Two more fingers went up. Smirking, he looked at her, 'It's going to be a boy.'
'Hmm...' Michelle laughed, 'Since you've put it that way.' Rolling her eyes, she kissed his jaw. 'I don't care how many boys are in our family. This baby,' She nodded, and rubbed her stomach, 'Is going to be a girl. And her name should be, Rayelle Nicole.'
'Rayelle Nicole?' Dudley looked at his wife, a small smile crossing his face. 'I like it. But, when our son is born, I think we should name him.. Caleb Daniel!'
Michelle gave a small shrug, and smiled, 'Fine.' Smiling, she looked at him. 'I think we should let it be a suprise though.' At his look of confusion, she giggled, 'You know. Not ask the doctor to tell us what we're having. Wait until she's born.'
Kissing his wife, Dudley let out a happy sigh. He leaned his head against her shoulder, and smile. 'You mean he?'
Giggling, Dudley felt her snuggle closer. He wrapped his arms around her, and grinned. I'm going to be a father. He closed his eyes, and held his wife. Wanting to enjoy the moment, wanting to remember the feeling of pure happiness and contentment, wanting to always be able to remember the moment that he found out that he, Dudley Dursley, was going to be dad.
