First off, thank you all for the amazing reviews. Also, thank you to all my readers and followers. I really enjoy hearing from you all and knowing you are reading what I write. It inspires me and keeps my drive going. So, enough with the gushy stuff... on with the story...
After a good hour or so, Severus found it hard to concentrate. Minerva's breathing, the soft beating of her heart, the heat from her body. All these things about her made him think only of her and not about the medicinal herbs that were described in his book. He looked over at her to see a hair barely out of her bun that looped down and behind her ear slightly. Severus pushed it back behind her ear more securely which caused Minerva to look up at him. His heart skipped a beat at the thought that he could kiss her right now if he wished. He wanted to so... But he knew deep down that she may not be ready for this. It was an odd situation, her pregnant with her deceased husband's child, a husband that was killed by himself.
Severus realized at that moment at what a turn his life had taken. Never had he thought he would be sitting completely comfortably with Minerva snuggled up close to him reading. A sudden thought occurred to him. "Minerva, what would you think about making the announcement tonight at dinner?" Minerva thought about it for a moment.
"It would definitely get it over with... And we do need to go shopping tomorrow anyway, so... yeah, why not. It's not like we can hide it forever, now can we?" Severus smiled. He was more excited then Minerva would ever realize. This child my have Albus for a father, but Severus was determined to be it's dad. It would be raised knowing of it's father, but he knew that it would still call him dad as he was raising it. Severus really always wanted to be a father... this would be the closest thing he could ever hope for.
"That's great. I'm so glad that we won't have to hide it anymore. Everyone will be so happy for you." Minerva looked a bit nervous.
"Or they will coddle me and act like I'm fragile or something. I don't think I could handle a pity party." Severus understood now. It wasn't that she wasn't happy, just that she didn't want to be coddled.
"Well, if you wait, they are more likely to see it as a mistake and coddle you. If you tell them sooner rather than later, they are more likely to see it as a good thing and congratulate you." Minerva thought about this for a quick moment silently before deciding to answer with carefully selected words.
"Yes, perhaps you're right. We will announce the arrival of the baby tonight. I will introduce it as yours to protect you, the baby, and myself. No one will doubt Severus." Severus's heart lept. she hadn't told him it was his just yet, but she was about to tell it to the world. It was a step and it made him so happy to think that they had made it this far already.
Severus looked up at the clock to see that it was just a half hour until dinner. "Perhaps it would do us good to prepare ourselves for dinner my dear." Severus kissed Minerva's forehead.
"Is it that time already?" Severus nodded.
"We have half hour to ready ourselves and make our way down there before everyone begins eating." Minerva nodded before hopping off Severus's lap and making her way to the bedroom. Severus smiled. She didn't shut the door. Was he supposed to follow her, or was he to stay here. Severus decided to do the decent thing and remain behind. Privacy was needed in or out of a relationship.
He made his way to his bathroom to comb his hair and try and fuss with his robes. When he decided he looked as good as he was going to get he walked back out to the living room to wait for Minerva, but he found she was already there waiting for him. She had a silver robe on that draped over her growing belly and accented it with emerald colored sequins on her upper right belly. Her cleavage showed just enough to tease, but not enough to become sluttish. She pulled a lace shawl over her top so she didn't show cleavage to her students. It was meant for Severus's eyes only.
It was skin tight up until the abdominal area where it hung loose. You could definitely tell she was pregnant now. The shawl was emerald green and hung down the length of her robes and tied in the front so she could hide it when she wanted and reveal the pregnancy when the time was right. Severus bought it for her to wear on their wedding day because she was too stubborn to buy a dress herself. She made sure to wear the sapphire necklace for Severus to notice that she did care.
Severus let his jaw slack at her beauty. Her hair was all in place this time, but it was also accompanied by the cat hair pin he got her. It was of a tabby just like her and he drew in the circles around the eyes to match her animagus form. He was glad she liked it so much. "You ready to go then?" She asked as he suddenly realized he was just staring at her with his jaw practically to the floor. He shook himself out of it.
"Yes, yes I believe I am." Minerva giggled. He was rather silly when you got to know him. He was cute with his sheepish grin and slight blush at his mistakes. Before they reached the door hand in hand, Severus regained his composure to not show his inner feelings, something he was sure having Minerva around was starting to chip away. Soon, he wouldn't be able to hide anything from anyone, let alone Minerva.
They reached the Great hall as all eyes were on them. There was no food on the tables yet, as was Severus's request. No doubt all the students and staff were wondering what was going on. Poppy and Alastor of course had an idea. They took their stand behind the podium in front of the head table. "We have an announcement to make. It will definitely affect your school year." There was muttering among the students for a moment before there was a hush as they realized Severus was waiting for silence. "Minerva, would you do the honors my dear?"
Severus stepped back and Minerva stepped towards the podium as she opened her translucent shawl for a moment to reveal her growing abdomen. "We are pregnant." There was applause and whispers throughout the room.
"On that happy note, let us eat." Severus said before leading his wife to the table behind them. He pulled her seat out and pushed her in after she was seated. Minerva was smiling. It must have felt good to let that off her chest. Severus sat beside her and began to eat with her.
Yes, it is short, but I find short chapters are easier to write for this part of the story. They will pick up once I get to a certain point in this story. Thank you for your patience. Also thanks for all who reviewed and please continue reviewing. it keeps me going...
To be continued...
