The room was empty when he Apparated in. The only light was from the morning sun filtering in and as Zacharias glanced around the cozy bedroom, noticing the pieces of his family mixed in with the Macmillan furnishings. Megan's bright yellow dressing gown lying across the tartan quilt; Janice's bunny in the cradle, Morag's favorite book halfway under the bed. He didn't see any of the boys' things and guessed that they were sharing a different room. He ran his fingers over the dressing gown, lifting it to his face, taking in the lingering smell from Megan's last wearing. He dropped it back down, moving into the shadows when the door opened, her voice bringing a smile to his lips.

"No, Nev. Can you see to Janice's breakfast until I come down?"

"Yeah, Mum."

"Will you tell Mrs. Macmillan that I'll be down as soon as I dress?"

Zacharias didn't hear Neville's response. Megan closed the door and turned. He watched for only a moment, listening to her humming, not resisting the urge to tease.

"You don't have to get dressed right away, do you?"

She jerked around in his direction, but after a fleeting look of shock, she hurdled into his arms throwing her arms around his neck, kissing him several times in a row. He laughed, but stopped her pecks by pulling her as close as her ever-expanding belly would allow and taking her mouth with his, letting his tongue weave with hers until they were breathless. He led her to the bed, shrugging out of his robes; lifting her nightdress over her head, stopping to admire her before gently pushing her down on the bed.

"Oh my, Megan, I have missed you."

She made short work of the buttons on his shirt and the waistband of his trousers and he slid out of both as he moved his body along hers, laving her warm body with kisses. Her hands were soft on his face, her kisses sweet on his neck and he needed to be inside her before it was too late. He was nearly there as it was. He rolled her away from him and faced her back, kissing her shoulder blades and the nape of her neck, letting his hand move along each dip and curve – in at her neck, over one breast, slowly in and then out around the baby. He'd linger longer later to say hello to what he believed was another son, but for now all he wanted was his wife.

Megan held one of his hands, but her other one reached back with long fingers teasing him, arousing him more than he thought possible; more than he'd ever expected any woman could do to him. He was like a teenager when he was away from her for too long and today was no exception. She yelped out a giggle as he bit down on her shoulder a little too hard. He couldn't help but chuckle himself and was surprised when she stilled his exploring hand, instead bringing it up to rest on the widest part of her stomach. He was confused until he felt the baby moving, turning over itself, sticking a foot out to touch his hand on the other side.

Zacharias nuzzled Megan's neck, putting more pressure on his wife's stomach with his hand. After a short time, the baby settled down and Megan turned in his arms, her hands touching him, smoothing up his chest, tweaking a nipple, kissing him deeply, letting her fingers run slowly through his hair, saying much more without words.

"Don't you want me to –" he began, but she kissed him, shaking her head.

"Can we go home now?" she asked, hushed, but excitedly.

"Home? No, it's still not safe."

Her face fell, and Zach swallowed feeling terrible. He realized the impression he'd given her when she spoke. "Not safe? I thought…you're not here to pick us up? What are you doing here, Zach?"

He bit his lip, but couldn't hide the grin forming. "I…this…is my lunch break."

Her jaw dropped and he shrugged, leaning in for another kiss as she slapped his chest playfully and rested his head on hers. "I've missed you. I can't sleep without you in my bed." He kissed her cheek and her jaw, brushing gently across her lips with his own. He shifted; rubbing his lower half against her, easily becoming roused again, surprised himself at how quickly.

"Zach," she bemoaned with laughter in her voice.

"I can't help it. I love the feel of you, Meg."

The knock startled them both. "Mum, are you dressed? Cecily said her mum's looking for you. Mum?"

After a short wait, Neville knocked again.

Megan was having a hard time controlling her giggles, but called through the door. "Neville, I'm having a bit of trouble. I'll be down soon, all right, love?"

"Yeah, Mum. I'll tell Mrs. Finnigan. Should I get Mr. Finnigan for you; to help?"

"And what do you need Mr. Finnigan's help for?" Zach asked in an undertone, his eyes narrowing. He tried to keep his voice light, but there was a tightness that made Zach uncomfortable.

"Jealous?" she asked her husband in the same quiet light tone, but called through the closed door. "No, thank you, Neville. I won't need Seamus today."

"Today?" Zach whispered.

She ignored him to respond to Neville. "I'll be down soon. You go on."

"Today?" Zach repeated through his tightened jaw.

Megan smiled. "He helped me arrange the beds. I'm just taking the mickey out of you, you know," she added in a gentler tone. She pressed her hands on his chest, rubbing tenderly, moving her head to kiss his Adam's apple, teasing him with her tongue until he groaned, making her smile. "I love you, too, Zach. I miss you." She bit back a cry. "I want to go home." Zach said nothing, only holding her, knowing there was more on her mind than loneliness. He felt her tears on his cheek as he rubbed his face against hers. "Can't I go?" she finally asked.

He closed his eyes. He had been waiting for the request. "You can't. I'm sorry. We don't know –"

"I know," she said harshly. "Are you going…to the funeral?"

He nodded. She began to cry and ran her fingers along his bare chest, rubbing her thumb and finger together as though feeling imaginary cloth, dipping her finger into the hollow of his neck to straighten an imaginary tie.

"You can't wear robes."

"I know," he nodded.

"You have that blue suit in the back of the wardrobe – the dark one. You can wear that."

"Meggie –"

She shook her head. "She's my mother, Zach. I should be there. I should…." She collapsed against him again, and he knew that this was rough for her, and he let her cry it out, pressing tender kisses to her head and face, rubbing her back.

She pushed away from him with both hands, rolling herself off the bed. He lay back in the bed and watched her. She avoided his eye, turning her back to him, sliding her knickers on. He was staring, and he was sure that she knew it when she glanced over her shoulder, then facing him while she slipped her arms through the sleeves and slowly buttoned her shirt.

She came back to the bed fully dressed, sitting beside him. "Do you have time to see the kids or will you be late?"

"I'll be late. I want to see them." She stood to go, but he grabbed her hand. "I should tell you, though…."

"Tell me what?"

Her brow furrowed, concern etched in her eyes that seemed somehow older now. "I invited the others to the house; the bachelors."

"The bachelors?"

"Tony, Neville, Harry."

"Zacharias," she said sternly, tightening her hold on his hand.

"Uh oh. Mummy voice."

"I'm serious. I swear to Merlin, if you turn my house –"

"We're not teenagers, Meg. It won't be –"

"Tony's the only one allowed in my kitchen. I've heard from Ginny that Harry –"

"Harry's fine."

"He's out of practice. As are you. Neville doesn't even know the fundamentals, growing up with a House elf."

"I love it when you get all domestically condescending. Give us a kiss then."

"Not until I'm home and can inspect my kitchen."

"Would you like your own House elf?"

"No, I would not, but you'll need a House elf if you expect to ever get –"

"Oh please, Meg. The next time I visit you'll be begging me for it."

She stuck her tongue out at that, but she did manage to squirm away before he could strengthen his hold on her.

"I'll see you downstairs," she said from the door.

He watched her until the door closed. Merlin, he loved that woman.