8 YEARS LATER

Neville's only requirement when we started house hunting to find somewhere to better fit our growing family, was that there was a garden. One where he could plant as many things as he wanted and so that on the rare occasions when the British weather was actually good, we could enjoy the sun. I'd agreed, on the stipulation that the garden was his sole responsibility. He was the one that was going to keep his plants alive because Helga knew if I got my hands on them, they'd just be added to the growing pile of compost we were making.

Although, with Neville eyeing a position at Hogwarts as the Herbology professor, it was something we were going to need to discuss eventually. But, we'd also have to discuss his not living at home for nearly 9 months out of the year. How was I going to sleep without clinging to him like a teddy bear? It wasn't as if I could sneak into the castle every night to get the cuddles I needed to lull me to sleep?

A sharp cry pierced the air, bringing me from my thoughts. I rose to my feet quickly, picking up our daughter and cradling her softly in my arms until she fell she quieted. It took a while, it always took little Alice a while to settle, but she eventually did. She alone was another reason that I couldn't just up and leave and follow Neville to Hogwarts. Not that he was too comfortable with leaving her behind either.

Forcefully dismissing my worries for another day, for a day where the sun wasn't shining so gloriously, I brushed my fingertip softly over the tiny slope of my daughter's nose. She turned her head slightly, moving away from my caressing finger and I adjusted my hold on her, to cradle her steadily with one hand. With the other, I grabbed my wand from where it was tucked safely at my waist and summoned her little sun hat to me. It took some fiddling to do whilst still holding Alice, but I got her hat on and tied the straps under her chin with a murmured spell. Another quickly recited spell had her protected from the sun and then we were off, heading out into the garden, ready to join her father as he worked steadily on the latest patch of the land he was preparing so he could plant some seeds.

Stepping out into the garden, my eyes travelled the short distance to where Neville was kneeling as he worked as if he couldn't feel the sun beating down on him. The quiet song he was humming to himself, one I easily recognised as Alice's lullaby, filled my ears. With careful steps, I made my way back to the large tree I'd set myself up under with a blanket laid out on the grass and the book I'd been reading discarded at Alice's cry. Kneeling onto the blanket, I thought quickly before summoning Alice's changing mat from the house and putting it down next to me and settling my daughter down comfortably in the shade. It was a short matter of minutes and she'd be asleep again. To help her alone, I patted her softly on her cute pudgy stomach with one hand and reached for my book with the other.

By the time Neville was done and making his way toward me, Alice was fast asleep once more and I'd made it to the end of my chapter. Marking my place, I closed the book and set it aside, choosing instead to watch my husband as he walked across the garden. It was like he'd stepped out of the latest romance book Susan had me reading; he looked like the picture of the raggedly handsome farmhand preparing to steal away the daughter of his employer to have his way with her. Helga, I needed to stop taking Susan's recommendations for books.

Instead of fuelling the thought by thinking on it anymore, I instead watched Neville cast an augamenti and wash his hands clean of any dirt that was stuck to them. He wiped them dry on his trousers, shooting me a knowing look when I crinkled my nose at the response.

"I know, I know," he said steadily as he got closer to us, "I know you hate it when I do that."

"Not that it's stopping you," I said pointedly, tilting my head slightly to continue appreciating my husband who came to stand at the edge of the blanket. He kneeled next to me, smiling as I grumbled, "It's almost like you enjoy irritating me, sometimes."

"Of course I do." He grinned so handsomely that I wasn't sure what was brighter; him or the sun.

Before I could say another word, he reached out, taking my face in his warm hands and tilting it up towards him. Closing the space between us, he kissed me steadily, ridding me of any and all thoughts. I rose up slightly, reluctant to part from him. Lately, it seemed like Alice had a radar, she knew when we were being affectionate and would burst into tears at every opportunity. So, when our daughter wasn't awake to break us apart, I soaked up all the affection he was giving me. Unfortunately, I had to draw back, taking in a deep breath.

Neville settled down on the blanket, stretching his legs out in front of him and crossing them at the ankle. Thankfully he'd kicked off his shoes, knowing I'd make a comment about him getting mud on my reading blanket.

"What are you planting this time?" I asked, watching as he reached out a finger to trace the pattern of my summer dress. "More herbs? Or is this the beginning of the flower garden you wanted?"

"The beginning of the flower garden." Neville's eyes drifted contemplatively to the small plot he'd prepared, ready to put his seeds into. He hummed contemplatively. "I think I'm going to plant some Sweet Alyssums to start with."

I didn't want to admit that I had no idea what he was talking about. I didn't even know what the plant looked like, but I made a mental note to look it up later. Instead of saying anything, I grabbed his hand from where it rested on my knee. Lifting it to my lips, I kissed the back of it.

"There's another name for them, you know." His eyes turned towards our daughter then, a fatherly smile blooming. Every time I saw that smile, it just reaffirmed that making him a father was definitely the best thing I could've done. Neville, no matter how heavily he protested against it, was a hot dad.

"What's the other name?"

"Sweet Alice."