Well here we are, reaching the end of a story so these next chapters are going to be sort of extended Epilogues, with the major one at the end.
Ten flats, twenty boxes, two trunks, two brooms, and a lot of furniture later we had two boxes left and we would officially be moved in to our flat. Remus and I would officially be living together. It was a nice place located in between the Brighton Pier and Marina Village, on the top floor with a small terrace.
"Sure you want to do this?" Remus asked looking over at me.
"Positive," I smiled leaning over. He met me half way placing a gentle kiss on my lips before walked up to our door and entered our flat where we walked up another couple stairs to the landing and hallway.
Right in front of me was the smaller bedroom which was going to be an office/ mishmash room. The next room was the largest bedroom, and when you entered it, it had a sort of separated part where we would be putting our clothing and other things. It also had a large window opposite the door allowing a lot of light in. Then in the other part is where we had the bed directly under the octagonal roof light and there was another large window beside it. The next door over was the simple bathroom with white porcelain and the entire thing in beige tile. Then there was the main room; living room/dining room/kitchen combined. It had light hard wood floors and white walls with three large windows on one side and a sky light over the kitchen area. Once you entered the black, grey granite speckled kitchen bar started and wrapped around. Directly in front of you was where our living area would be and a large comfortable brown leather couch was already sitting there with a fireplace in front of it and a TV over in the corner. Separating the living room from the dining room was a large bookshelf. Then over by the middle window there was a wooden window seat, then set up in the middle of the dining room was a white table with six sort of retro wooden chairs.
I set my box with potions supplies down by the large stainless steel stove top and oven and started putting about the supplies beside it including the wolfsbane potions which Remus had been taking all week for the transformation in two days.
"Ah uh," Remus whispered coming up behind me and kissing the back of my neck. "This is our first time alone in ages," His kisses turned to soft nibbles. "I plan on taking advantage of that."
"I think I could handle that," I whispered as his hands slid over my hips to the button on my distressed, rolled up, boyfriend jeans. Slowly he popped the button and unzipped them. My breath caught in my throat as his hands slid down my legs pushing my pants down. His hands grabbed my hips and turned me around as his lips met mine in a heated lustful kiss.
I pulled on his shirt pulling it up over his head breaking the kiss for a couple seconds before we were right back in the same positions. His hands ran down over my butt to the backs of my legs pulling me up. I wrapped my legs and arms around him and he set off down the hall pushing open our bedroom door going over to the bare mattress and black platform bed. He gently laid me down hovering over top of me. He lips kissed down my neck and his hands slid up over my thighs to my hips pushing up my shirt.
I arched my back up off the bed making it easier to slide up, along with moving my arms up. His head moved down trailing his lips up the center of my stomach as he revealed it. A shiver ran up my spine and I involuntarily shuddered as his hands slid the shirt up over my arms.
He let out a chuckle his hot breath washing over my chest. Smirking, I put my arms down and twisted my fingers into his hair pulling his lips up to mine. He pulled back teasing me and whispered into my ear.
"We've got no need to hurry now," He growled making my body turn to jelly.
o Three Weeks Later o
A bright light pulled me out of a peaceful sleep, which I hadn't been getting lately since we started running patrols for the order. Quickly my eyes adjusted and I looked to Sirius' dog patronus, telling us exactly where to go for the fight. Remus and I flew out of bed pulling on our discarded clothes. Looking down at my watch I saw that it was 4:00 in the morning.
"Ready?" Remus asked.
"Let's go," I stated with a straight face. When we got there the muggle house was already on fire with the family watching in horror of both the house and the fight going on. Half the order was there already and wands were flinging in every direction. For a second I just froze next to Remus not sure of what to do but then instinct kicked in as a jet of light came hurling at me.
Throwing up a shield I deflected it back at them causing the hooded figure to go flying backwards. Behind me a maniacal laugh echoed out around the area. I flipped around just as Bellatrix threw a curse at me.
The only way I could tell that it was her was because of the laugh since a black cloak was hiding her hair and a mask was covering her face. I fired back flicking my wand starting the duel. Then they suddenly started retreating, disapparating. Looking around at the other order members it seemed like a normal thing and they started towards the burning house. The family had moved off to the distance and I saw that at least one of them was hurt but not seriously.
All the members circled around the house firing water at it in large streams, the heat was so intense though that we couldn't get that close. Finally we got the fire out but there wasn't much of a house left just blackened beams. The family looked on in horror at the remains of their home as the obliviators started showing up.
Looking up as the remains I felt like we had failed, but knew that we didn't. They would have hurt the family for sport. That's why they just left, they had damaged the family enough and 'pure' blood didn't need to be spilt so they pulled out.
A hand linked with mine and I looked up at Remus. His face was smudged with soot same as mine probably.
"Let's go home," He frowned I nodded and stepped back.
Just like before we apparated away popping back into the flat, though both of us knew the sleep wasn't going to happen for awhile. I headed into the bathroom looking in the mirror. My hair was tangled and like I had guessed soot was smudged over my face and neck.
"You ok?" Remus asked standing in the doorway.
"I guess," I whispered. "I just…I've just got a mixture of emotions in me now. I'm sad that the family lost their home, I'm frustrated that we couldn't save it, and I'm furious that it's just a game to them." I bit my lip moving towards the shower. "You know that they had no reason to attack that family or any of those families, they're just having fun." I whispered sitting down on the edge of the tub to flip on the shower.
"That's why we're fighting," He said walking over and crouching down in front of me. He reached up his hand, wiping his thumb over my cheek. "Come with me?" He asked flipping off the water and holding out his hand as he stood up. Silently I got up and followed him out to the terrace where the sun was just beginning to show over the horizon. We sat down in one of the chairs watching the sky turn a mixture of orange, yellow, and pink and feeling just plain worn down I laid my head back on his shoulder as his arm wrapped around me.
"I wanted this to be extravagant and exciting but this just seems like the perfect time," He murmured a bit later, the sun half way up. Shifting, he pulled back one of his hands and grabbed something out of his pocket. Leaning up I looked at him.
"Adhara Black," He smiled pulling up a ring, "will you marry me?"
Smiling I looked over at him and placed a gentle kiss on his lips. I almost appreciated that he hadn't done an extravagant thing to ask, it was a simple understated gesture. Our lives up to now had already been quite busy and filled with thrills; this was a gesture and promise that I loved, for something that I already knew: that we would be together forever. "Yes, Remus Lupin, I would love to marry you."
Holding out my hand, he slipped a simple sliver band with a radiant cut diamond in the middle. He then took my hand and pressed it up to his lips
"I love you," He whispered.
"Love you, too," I smiled and leaned in kissing him once more.
o Four Weeks Later o
I jolted awake feeling like I was going to get sick and held my hand over my mouth wondering if I was just simply nauseated, but then another bought came and I got up racing towards the bathroom. I made over the toilet just at it happened. Remus who had been asleep beside me came walking in the bathroom and held back my hair better than I had been.
Once I was done I fell back and he got a glass of water which I gladly took, swishing it around before spitting that out in the toilet and flushing it. I continued drinking the water as he crouched down beside me feeling my forehead. Suddenly I felt that lurch again and pushed him back puking again I felt him brush back my hair. Groaning, I leaned back and repeated the water-flushing-drinking procedure.
Remus looked over me as if examining me before sitting down, "maybe you should go to the doctor. The fatigue and this could be related."
"It's probably just a little bug," I waved it off and he narrowed his eyes. "I'm not going to the doctor over being sleepy. I might have actually just eaten something bad because now I feel a lot better, well a bit better." I sighed and got up. He continued looking at me. "Fine if I'm not feeling all better by tomorrow I'll schedule an appointment."
"I'll hold you to that," he commented getting up and kissed my forehead.
I shook my head and went over brushing my teeth to get the gross taste out of my mouth. When I went back out I heard him shuffling around in the kitchen and stepped in seeing him fixing some toast, eggs, and sausage.
"Are you making enough for meeee?" I asked sweetly.
"You just got sick so no," He shook his head.
"But I feel fine nowwww, pretty pleaseeeeee," I smiled.
He let out a huff and looked over at me, "alrightttt."
"Best fiancé ever," I said in a sing-song voice before walking into the other room and flipping on the TV.
oOo
Unfortunately that morning was just the same at the last I threw up in the morning and felt a little cruddy until the afternoon. Flags started flying up that next morning and I started connecting the dots as I sat on the bathroom floor that morning. I went through a check list in my head: fatigue (check), nauseousness (double check), looking down at my breasts I reached up poking one gently, tenderness (check).
He's definitely not going to take this well. There was a knock on the door and I quickly got up trying to put on a somewhat less scared face.
"You should make an appointment," He said. "You said you would yesterday."
"I will," I gave a small smile and moved back in the bathroom brushing my teeth. There's a chance that I'm not, I mean it could just be a stomach bug and sleeping some way aggravates my stomach enough that I get sick. It's possible. I walked into the bedroom and made an appointment to find out, and it was scheduled for after Lily's dress appointment since it's the earliest I could get in.
Thankfully for the next couple days I was able to hide most of my puking getting a bit used to it. I was able to hold it off for a bit so I didn't have to rush to the bathroom, getting up slowly so I didn't wake him up. It was like a normal routine by now, get up puke at most twice then brush teeth.
That next Friday I got dressed in a floral sundress feeling a little more bloated then usual but it might just be me being paranoid. I threw on some ankle booties and my leather jacket, along with my two necklaces and pulling my hair up in a ponytail. As I head out into the living room Remus was sitting at the dining table reading the paper. We had another Order meeting tomorrow and we were supposed to be on the look-out for anything suspicious to add to the meeting.
"I'm gonna go," I said grabbing two clementines out of the fridge.
"You've been eating those like crazy that's the second bag this week," He joked but I immediately put one back and finished peeling the first.
"Just something to grab," I shrugged going over and giving him a kiss.
"So are you going to follow the trend and book an appointment?" He smirked, talking about how Lily had scheduled her appointment right after we got done with Alice's, where she had picked out a cute tea-length, a-line for her simple ceremony.
"We need to pin down a date first," I smirked.
"Humm, how about a quickie before," He gave a crooked grin and reality came crashing back.
"Maybe later," I pulled back giving a weak smile before turning and heading out the door. Once I got outside I walked to an area to disapparate from and appeared near the bridal shop. When I walked in Alice was already there.
"Lily had to go pick up her Mum, she said she'll be here soon."
"Alright," I smiled and sat down in one of the chairs.
"Is everything alright?" Alice asked.
"Fine just a little queasy," I replied honestly then added. "Stomach bug."
"Oh, ok," She nodded as Lily and her Mum came walking in.
"Sorry," Lily sighed walking up and giving both Alice and I hugs. "I had to talk her into side-long apparition over an hour long car ride."
"How was that?" I smiled looking at the frazzled Mrs. Evans.
"I don't know how you guys do that daily." She sighed sitting down which was pointless because seconds later we were called to the back so Lily could try on dresses.
Throughout the entire appointment I was totally out of it thinking about my upcoming healer's appointment.
"Add!" Lily shouted throwing one of the small circular pillows at me.
"Oh, sorry," I frowned and looking at the dress she was wearing. It was an ivory, lace, fit and flare strapless gown, with a pearl and organza waistband with a dark red ribbon background. She turned around allowing me to see that the waist band wrapped around tying in an elegant bow with ribbons that ran down to the chapel train.
"It's beautiful," I gave a true wide smile, "perfect."
She looked at me curiously before dropping it and smiled turning around to look in the mirror. The store person came over pinning a mid-length veil in her hair along with a pearl encrusted barrette and she looked amazing.
"This is it," She whispered smoothing her hands over the front.
She thankfully already had bridesmaid dresses picked out and all Alice and I had to do was try them on. I was a dark red, one shoulder, empire waist taffeta dress that hit right above the knee. I turned to the side and tried to imagine how big my stomach would be in December. Walking out I met Alice who was in the identical dress.
We went out and Lily approved of everything so we could change back. I checked my watch seeing that I had a half hour to get to my appointment.
Once everything had been settled I grabbed my bag and said a quick goodbye to try to get out of there. Quickly I was pulled back.
"You wait here I'll be back in five minutes," Lily commanded as Alice kept a grip on my arm.
"I need to get somewhere," I frowned.
"Ok, four minutes," She said and grabbed her mom.
Alice and I stood there in silence for five minutes out on the sidewalk, yes I counted until she reappeared.
"Alright now spill, what is up with you."
I figured there was no reason to try and deny or cut around anything so I just came out with it bluntly.
"I think I might be pregnant, and I have an appointment in…" I looked down at my watch, "Fifteen minutes to see."
"Oh my Merlin," Both jaws dropped just staring at me.
"Yeah so I'm going to go," I muttered and turned to go.
Two hands grabbed my arms and pulled me back to the middle of them, "Is Remus coming with you?"
"No, he doesn't know anything. He thinks I've been sick." I sighed.
"Well then we're coming," Alice said and I had no chance to oppose, "But we need to find a floo because apparating isn't safe."
Rolling my eyes I just followed, slightly happy that I didn't have to think about much as they just guided me through the area.
One we reached the healers office. Walking in the room I took note of every woman. Every single one in a form of pregnancy except for a couple that were in states similar to mine. Some of them were alone, some with friend or significant others. There were twenty people in all not including us and it seemed like every single one was looking at me as I walked up to the window.
"Appointment for Adhara Black for Healer MaGinty."
"Right," She looked down and checked my name. She looked back up with me with a kind smile, "Just have a seat and I'll let her know you're here. It shouldn't be more than a couple minutes."
"Thanks," I nodded and turned walking over to the chairs sitting down in the middle of Alice and Lily.
"So…umm…why haven't you told Remus." Lily asked
"Because I don't know how he'll react," I muttered.
"Are you kidding me?" Alice chuckled, "Remus is like the sweetest guy ever; he'll be so excited."
"I hope so," I whispered as a woman probably in her mid-twenties appeared at the door.
"Adhara Black?" She asked looking around the room.
"Thanks for coming but I think I need to do this part alone." I murmured to Lily and Alice and they both nodded as I got up walking over to the Mediwitch.
"Hello," She greeted with a smile, "I'm Bridgette. I help out with Healer MaGinty."
"Addie, I prefer that to Adhara," I gave a small smile.
"I'll make a note of that," She nodded. "So first I'd like to get you're height and weight, so if you could take off your shoes and just stand right there." She positioned me on a section of wall before waving her wand. "170 centimeters and 65 kilos," She recorded it on the chart. "Alright you can put your shoes back on. They're very cute by the way."
"Thanks," I smiled.
She led me back into a room and motioned for me onto the table. "I'm just going to take you're temperature, blood pressure that kind of stuff."
"Alright," I nodded. I mostly just sat there, she seemed to understand just going about her tasks and recording whatever she got.
"Ok, I'm going to go get the healer just try to at least get comfortable," She gave a kind smile and exited.
I leaned back on the table putting my hands over my face, closing my eyes and letting out a soft groan. As I opened then I held out my hand examining the beautiful engagement ring. Would he break it off? Would he break the whole thing off? I know he doesn't want a kid this way, but there's no possible way that I could get rid of a child.
I put my hands down smoothing them over my torso to my lower stomach and a small smile came to my lips. I wonder what parts of him the baby would have, his light brown hair maybe. I bigger smile spread over my face. I was having Remus Lupin, the love of my life's baby.
There was a light knock on my door and I sat back up as the door opened revealing a woman probably in her mid to late 40's. "Hello, Addie," She greeted kindly walking over to the counter and putting down a brand new file with my name on it.
"Hello," I nodded she looked over at me and I saw her eyes trail down to my abdomen and a smile came to her lip. Just then I noticed that my hands were still placed over it and moved them to my sides placing them on the table.
"Right so you're here for a pregnancy test correct?"
"Yes," I nodded.
"Alright," She nodded picking back up the file and flipping it open before leaning back on the counter. "Tell me if this is correct, Adhara Walburga Black, age 18"
"Correct," I replied.
"Alright well, can you tell me when your last menstrual cycle began."
"June 21st, I'm a couple days late."
"Is that a normal thing."
"No, not really."
"Is that the reason you made the appointment."
"No, the reason is because I've been having some nausea in the morning. That's also like clockwork, wake up, get sick. Also I've been having a bit of fatigue, not much but i've noticed that I've been getting tired earlier."
"Well you've got a lot of symptoms," She nodded and pulled out a bottle. "You'll have to drink this and then I'll perform a spell and instantly we'll know for certain."
Taking a deep breath I took it and gulped down the sweet liquid. then laid back looking directly up at the ceiling. I heard he murmuring softly and just closed my eyes not sure which outcome I wanted most. Would I be disappointed if she said I wasn't? Yes, I definitely would. But would I be if she said I was? I would be worried, and afraid but I wouldn't be disappointed.
"Well, Addie" She said and I sat back up pulling down my dress.
"Yes?" I bit my lip looking at her.
"You are in fact pregnant," I felt a small smile come to my lips and put my left hand over my lower abdomen.
"So where do we go from here?"
oOo
When I got home I placed my potions in the hidden compartment in the kitchen and the folder in one of the drawers before grabbing a glass of water and three clementines then heading out to the terrace. Remus had left a note saying that he was going to pick something up at the store and he should be back sometime soon.
I folded my legs up on the chair setting the bowl where I was putting the peel in my lap. Halfway through the second one I heard the door close and a few seconds later a bag being put down on the counter. It just took him a few seconds before he found me.
I saw him climb out of the window and turned giving him a small smile.
"How did the healer's appointment go?" He asked sitting on the other chair.
"Umm well," I sighed knowing that I couldn't hold it off for as long as I wanted to. Licking over my lips I set down the bowl and turned towards him. "I guess it depends on how you look at it," I whispered.
"You're kind of scaring me," He stated leaning forward and touching my cheek. I leaned into the touch closing my eyes, before looking back at him
"I'm pregnant," I stated in a clear calm tone which took more courage than fighting death eaters.
His hand dropped and his eyes went down to my stomach before moving back up to my eyes. He just sat there looking at me for what felt like an eternity.
"Please say something," I said biting the inside of my lip.
"How long?"
"The healer said about four weeks. The day you proposed I'm guessing…"
He brought up his hand covering his mouth. "This is all my fault, I didn't do the charm, I completely forgot."
"Your fault?" I asked not liking the wording. He was doing what I thought he would, looking at our child as a bad thing.
"Yes, it was beyond irresponsible, what if I passed on the curse?" He asked tipping his head down. "Can you imagine a poor little baby going through that? I mean I went through that when I was a boy and it scared me. Oh, Merlin," suddenly the pain doubled on his face, "or what if it transforms inside of you, what if it bites you? I would never be able to forgive myself."
"The healer said that it's unlikely that a child with inherit it, since it's passed my bite. He or she hasn't been bitten."
"But it's in my blood," Remus groaned and suddenly got up and raced into the flat.
"What are you doing?" I called following behind him. "Remus!" I called as he went into the bedroom.
"This is a mistake," He shook his head and it seemed like he was talking to himself more than me. "I shouldn't have endangered her," Now I was sure that he was as he started grabbing clothing while mumbling to himself. But even though I couldn't understand coherent sentences I could pick out the words; idiot, ashamed, child and discrimination and from those I could make out what he was getting at.
"Remus Lupin!" I shouted and he stopped turning around. I felt my breath get caught in my throat and I just realized that tears were rolling down my face. Quickly I reached up and wiped them away. "I don't ever want you to talk like that again. Ever! We've been over this, and I don't ever want to go over it again."
"Adhara," He huffed in aggravation in himself mostly I think, "I can't have a child. It's not possible for that child to come out normal. Don't you understand what I've done? I'm a monster."
"You have no idea how he or she is going to turn out. The healer said that there was only a small chance that it could happen." I tried to keep an even voice even though I was beyond angry with what he was saying.
"Well fine," He flipped around and looked at me. "How do you think a child is going to react when he or she finds out that their father is a werewolf? How do you think they are going to feel around their friends? They're going to be ashamed and embarrassed. How could they not be? I still don't know how you aren't."
Looking down at the floor I paused, allowing all my anger to drain leaving only sadness. Slowly I walked over to the bed and sat down beside the pile of clothing that he had sitting there. "This child," I spoke softly while keeping my eyes on the floor and wiping the tears off my cheeks, "this child would never be ashamed of you as I never will be. You have no reason to be ashamed over what you are. If anything the only thing that you should ever be ashamed of is what I think you're thinking of doing." I muttered the last part and just looked up at him for a few moments before speaking again. "I'm not going to let you just leave all together but if you need some time away, go ahead."
He slowly walked over and did something I wasn't expecting in a million years. He dropped down on his knees in from of me and looked up at me. "You're right," He murmured, "as always. I'm sorry. I just, I don't want anyone to have this life of prejudice and discrimination especially you."
I leaned down grabbing his chin and making him look at me. "This is my life, I know what is out there and I'm choosing to be here as I always have so stop trying to force me out. Stop trying to talk me out of it, because I want this. This child will love you no matter what you turn into just as you would love him or her."
"I'm sorry," He replied.
"I don't want a sorry, I want you to stop this," I demanded. "You can't say that I deserve better, you can't worry about if I'm happy. You know when I'm not happy. Most importantly, you can't leave whether you think it's for the best or not. You can't."
"I won't," He stated.