Jess was nothing if not a pro at taking an uncomfortable situation and
breezing over it as if nothing had happened. It's a useful little skill to
have when you're a battered wife, after all. That's why, when Albus and
Minerva returned at nine that evening with Lucas (who had a belly full of
candy and enough in his pumpkin shaped cauldron to last the rest of the
year), wondering where Severus had gone off to, Jess explained the whole
situation away with a bellyache on his part.
"He really is a lightweight when it comes to Chianti," she said as she took her son from Albus' arms where he was busy bouncing and smacking his head with his palm in a sugar-induced frenzy. Jess marveled at how good the pair were at being grandparents. Only a professional grandparent would have known to take the child out for the evening, sugar him up, and then bring him back a wild animal for mommy to deal with. Jess smiled at the thought, though. Lucas had no more grandparents on her side and David's parents hadn't spoken to either of them since he'd married her. This, Jess had decided, was probably part of the reason he had become so hostile toward her. It seemed as if every reason for his hostility boiled down to something that was her fault. In her mind, anyway.
Albus and Minerva exchanged knowing glances, as if they were quite aware exactly what had gone on but wished to allow Jess to think she had fooled them.
"He was never much for brandy when I offered it either," Albus answered, winking at Minerva. Then the two took their leave and when Jess went to close the door behind them she noticed that Albus had taken Minerva's hand. She'd always known there was something between the two, but this was the first time she'd ever seen it acted out. It was a bit nauseating and at the same time sweet. Like seeing your father kiss your mother. She shook her head with a smile and closed the door. She had bigger problems to deal with. Namely, a seventeen-month-old boy on the peak of a serious sugar buzz.
Jess knew just what to do. She took Lucas to the bathtub and filled it just enough that there was water covering the entire bottom - just enough that when she sat him down he was in up to his waist. While drawing the water she took a vial from the cupboard that contained a translucent violet liquid. On the front, scrawled in a strict yet script like hand, were the words "Lavender Bedtime Bath". She couldn't look past the writing and it sparked something in her that was neither excitatory nor inhibitory. It was a strange combination of the two and made her stomach do somersaults and her head feel detached. That was Severus' writing. He had brewed this particular concoction for her when she had set up in her apartment. It was a tremendous sleep aid with the lavender in it, and she thought a little dab might be just what Lucas needed to overcome the effects of the Halloween treats.
She stared at the label a moment longer before shaking her head and continuing her job. She turned off the water and picked Lucas up from the floor, where he was busy sitting and chewing a bath towel. She undressed him and placed him in the water. This was enough to renew the sugar and he had a grand time splashing everything in sight, including her. Ten minutes later he was half clean and she was completely soaked, but they were both having fun and it was good for them. She had washed his hair with a special baby shampoo that she bought from a little witch in Diagon Alley - it was the only kind she would use on Luke - and was just rinsing it when she heard it.
The door to the apartment opened and clicked shut, and she heard the distinctive sound of a very expensive and exquisite cloak being removed and tossed onto the loveseat. Then there was the "click -scrape, click-scrape, click-scrape" of leather shoes on her carpet, heading toward the bathtub.
"Who's there," she called, knowing perfectly well who it was, her heart racing and her mind going numb.
And then he appeared in the doorway to the w.c., his arms crossed, leaning on the frame of the door and watching Lucas toss handful after handful of water on Jess' head. Jess had turned, her hands still in the water, on her knees beside the tub, her neck bent in a very uncomfortable position to look at him, and water running down her from every angle. Her blonde hair was matted to her head and a steady drip was running off the ski slope of her nose, hitting her lip and then dropping to the stone floor.
Neither of them spoke for a moment, and Lucas seemed to recognize the tense magic between them because he turned his attention to his rubber duck and pretended to be very interested in making it swim about the tub quietly. He did, however, keep one eye on the situation at hand at all times, every now and then glancing up at Snape and then at his Mum, then back to the duck.
Without words, Snape finally stood and took a towel from the cupboard. He brought it over to Jess and threw it on top of her head so that she could dry herself off. He then proceeded to roll up his sleeves and take hold of the vial of "Lavender Bedtime Bath". He poured out a handful of it and created a lather between his hands. He then set to work bathing Lucas with all the gentility of a nanny. Lucas sat quietly and allowed himself to be scrubbed, playing good-naturedly with the duck and not getting a drop of bathwater on Severus. Every now and then he would look up at his mum with something in his eyes that would have been a wink, had he known how to wink. Jess just sat back, her legs folded underneath her while she dabbed at her hair and robe, her mouth slightly ajar and her brow furrowed.
"Close your mouth. You'll catch flies." Severus didn't bother to look at her when he issued this piece of advice, but kept his full attention on Lucas. He seemed so at ease with the whole situation that Jess would have sworn he knew exactly what he was doing.
Jess looked from Lucas to Severus and did close her mouth, but the look of complete confusion and frustration remained firmly upon her features. This was simply too bizarre. It was as if the two boys were trying to tell her something, Lucas through his good behavior and Severus through his ability to handle the child.
"Come on, mum," Lucas seemed to be pleading through his eyes. "Can't you see I like this guy? What the bloody hell are you waiting for, already? Get moving, and don't mess this one up. I want a papa, and a good one this time." Jess blinked. She held the towel in her lap as she watched the two until Severus reached over and took it from her. His thumb brushed her thigh as he did and she felt her breath hitch. She got the distinct impression that Severus felt it as well but he gave no indication that he did.
Severus pulled the plug in the drain and then lifted the boy up out of the tub, wrapped him in the towel, and proceeded to dry his hair and body. Then he turned and left the room, leaving Jess sitting in her little ball on the floor. Her brow furrowed further at this. What did he think he was doing? Quickly she got to her feet and followed Severus into the kitchenette where he was busy looking through the cupboards. The milk jug was waiting on the counter and Jess realized that he was looking for a bottle, and not doing a very good job with one arm full of baby boy. She reached up into the cupboard under the sink and pulled out one of six antique glass baby bottles and a rubber nipple. She filled the bottle halfway with milk, screwed the nipple onto the top, and pulled out her wand. One simple warming charm later she handed it to Severus, who made a conscious effort to look her in the eyes and brush her fingers as he took it. She could have been mistaken but she thought she even saw him smile slightly at the corners of his mouth as he did.
Then he turned and went wordlessly into the sitting room, taking his seat - her seat - on the loveseat. He handed the bottle to Lucas, who took it and drank hungrily. Severus seemed enamored with the child, looking down at his placid face while he drank, listening to him make little grunts and burps as he sucked down his bedtime bottle.
Jess couldn't help herself this time. She went to the loveseat and sat, watching this whole thing in wide-eyed amazement. Never once since Lucas had been born had David bathed him or fed him. And now here was a man, not even the child's father, handling him so naturally it was almost unnatural. When Luke had finished the last of the milk he removed the bottle from his mouth and handed it to Severus with both hands. Severus sat it on the end table beside the loveseat and took Lucas to his room, Jess not far behind. There he sat the boy on his changing station and put a fresh nappy on him, covered him with a light sleeping shirt covered in golden snitches that twinkled and flittered in place, and picked him back up. Severus then crossed the room and held Lucas out to Jess, who offered him her arms. Lucas didn't go to Jess, but instead gave her a peck on the cheek and leaned back into Severus' chest, closing his eyes and curling up comfortably.
"Night Luke," Jess said almost under her breath. She watched as Severus walked Luke back and forth across the room until he was asleep, one little finger curled around a strand of Severus' shiny black hair, then placed him in his crib, covered him, and set his mobile spinning. Then, still without a word to Jess, Severus swept out of the room leaving Jess to stand in stupefied amazement, her arms crossed and her brow furrowed.
When she finally came to her senses, and checked the way that Severus had tucked Luke in (it was perfect), she left the room and closed the door all but a crack. She went out in the sitting room, half expecting (and hoping she was wrong) Severus to have left. But he hadn't. He was out in the kitchen putting the milk away. Jess stood in the doorway watching, her hands at her side, looking somewhat abashed. When he finished he turned and looked at her, as if waiting for a grade from a professor.
"Well, how did I do," he seemed to ask with his expression. Jess couldn't stand it any longer. Those soft eyes and that even softer expression. The gentleness with which she'd handled her son. This wasn't someone she needed to fear. This was a man she could trust - a man she was sure didn't exist in the whole world since her father had died when she was just young. Throwing all caution to the wind she crossed the kitchen and snuggled in deep to his chest, seeming to want to bury herself in him. He smelled like Luke's bathwater and cinnamon.
At first he didn't know what to do, but it came to him quick enough and he wrapped two strong arms around her. And he held her wordlessly as she started to cry.
"He really is a lightweight when it comes to Chianti," she said as she took her son from Albus' arms where he was busy bouncing and smacking his head with his palm in a sugar-induced frenzy. Jess marveled at how good the pair were at being grandparents. Only a professional grandparent would have known to take the child out for the evening, sugar him up, and then bring him back a wild animal for mommy to deal with. Jess smiled at the thought, though. Lucas had no more grandparents on her side and David's parents hadn't spoken to either of them since he'd married her. This, Jess had decided, was probably part of the reason he had become so hostile toward her. It seemed as if every reason for his hostility boiled down to something that was her fault. In her mind, anyway.
Albus and Minerva exchanged knowing glances, as if they were quite aware exactly what had gone on but wished to allow Jess to think she had fooled them.
"He was never much for brandy when I offered it either," Albus answered, winking at Minerva. Then the two took their leave and when Jess went to close the door behind them she noticed that Albus had taken Minerva's hand. She'd always known there was something between the two, but this was the first time she'd ever seen it acted out. It was a bit nauseating and at the same time sweet. Like seeing your father kiss your mother. She shook her head with a smile and closed the door. She had bigger problems to deal with. Namely, a seventeen-month-old boy on the peak of a serious sugar buzz.
Jess knew just what to do. She took Lucas to the bathtub and filled it just enough that there was water covering the entire bottom - just enough that when she sat him down he was in up to his waist. While drawing the water she took a vial from the cupboard that contained a translucent violet liquid. On the front, scrawled in a strict yet script like hand, were the words "Lavender Bedtime Bath". She couldn't look past the writing and it sparked something in her that was neither excitatory nor inhibitory. It was a strange combination of the two and made her stomach do somersaults and her head feel detached. That was Severus' writing. He had brewed this particular concoction for her when she had set up in her apartment. It was a tremendous sleep aid with the lavender in it, and she thought a little dab might be just what Lucas needed to overcome the effects of the Halloween treats.
She stared at the label a moment longer before shaking her head and continuing her job. She turned off the water and picked Lucas up from the floor, where he was busy sitting and chewing a bath towel. She undressed him and placed him in the water. This was enough to renew the sugar and he had a grand time splashing everything in sight, including her. Ten minutes later he was half clean and she was completely soaked, but they were both having fun and it was good for them. She had washed his hair with a special baby shampoo that she bought from a little witch in Diagon Alley - it was the only kind she would use on Luke - and was just rinsing it when she heard it.
The door to the apartment opened and clicked shut, and she heard the distinctive sound of a very expensive and exquisite cloak being removed and tossed onto the loveseat. Then there was the "click -scrape, click-scrape, click-scrape" of leather shoes on her carpet, heading toward the bathtub.
"Who's there," she called, knowing perfectly well who it was, her heart racing and her mind going numb.
And then he appeared in the doorway to the w.c., his arms crossed, leaning on the frame of the door and watching Lucas toss handful after handful of water on Jess' head. Jess had turned, her hands still in the water, on her knees beside the tub, her neck bent in a very uncomfortable position to look at him, and water running down her from every angle. Her blonde hair was matted to her head and a steady drip was running off the ski slope of her nose, hitting her lip and then dropping to the stone floor.
Neither of them spoke for a moment, and Lucas seemed to recognize the tense magic between them because he turned his attention to his rubber duck and pretended to be very interested in making it swim about the tub quietly. He did, however, keep one eye on the situation at hand at all times, every now and then glancing up at Snape and then at his Mum, then back to the duck.
Without words, Snape finally stood and took a towel from the cupboard. He brought it over to Jess and threw it on top of her head so that she could dry herself off. He then proceeded to roll up his sleeves and take hold of the vial of "Lavender Bedtime Bath". He poured out a handful of it and created a lather between his hands. He then set to work bathing Lucas with all the gentility of a nanny. Lucas sat quietly and allowed himself to be scrubbed, playing good-naturedly with the duck and not getting a drop of bathwater on Severus. Every now and then he would look up at his mum with something in his eyes that would have been a wink, had he known how to wink. Jess just sat back, her legs folded underneath her while she dabbed at her hair and robe, her mouth slightly ajar and her brow furrowed.
"Close your mouth. You'll catch flies." Severus didn't bother to look at her when he issued this piece of advice, but kept his full attention on Lucas. He seemed so at ease with the whole situation that Jess would have sworn he knew exactly what he was doing.
Jess looked from Lucas to Severus and did close her mouth, but the look of complete confusion and frustration remained firmly upon her features. This was simply too bizarre. It was as if the two boys were trying to tell her something, Lucas through his good behavior and Severus through his ability to handle the child.
"Come on, mum," Lucas seemed to be pleading through his eyes. "Can't you see I like this guy? What the bloody hell are you waiting for, already? Get moving, and don't mess this one up. I want a papa, and a good one this time." Jess blinked. She held the towel in her lap as she watched the two until Severus reached over and took it from her. His thumb brushed her thigh as he did and she felt her breath hitch. She got the distinct impression that Severus felt it as well but he gave no indication that he did.
Severus pulled the plug in the drain and then lifted the boy up out of the tub, wrapped him in the towel, and proceeded to dry his hair and body. Then he turned and left the room, leaving Jess sitting in her little ball on the floor. Her brow furrowed further at this. What did he think he was doing? Quickly she got to her feet and followed Severus into the kitchenette where he was busy looking through the cupboards. The milk jug was waiting on the counter and Jess realized that he was looking for a bottle, and not doing a very good job with one arm full of baby boy. She reached up into the cupboard under the sink and pulled out one of six antique glass baby bottles and a rubber nipple. She filled the bottle halfway with milk, screwed the nipple onto the top, and pulled out her wand. One simple warming charm later she handed it to Severus, who made a conscious effort to look her in the eyes and brush her fingers as he took it. She could have been mistaken but she thought she even saw him smile slightly at the corners of his mouth as he did.
Then he turned and went wordlessly into the sitting room, taking his seat - her seat - on the loveseat. He handed the bottle to Lucas, who took it and drank hungrily. Severus seemed enamored with the child, looking down at his placid face while he drank, listening to him make little grunts and burps as he sucked down his bedtime bottle.
Jess couldn't help herself this time. She went to the loveseat and sat, watching this whole thing in wide-eyed amazement. Never once since Lucas had been born had David bathed him or fed him. And now here was a man, not even the child's father, handling him so naturally it was almost unnatural. When Luke had finished the last of the milk he removed the bottle from his mouth and handed it to Severus with both hands. Severus sat it on the end table beside the loveseat and took Lucas to his room, Jess not far behind. There he sat the boy on his changing station and put a fresh nappy on him, covered him with a light sleeping shirt covered in golden snitches that twinkled and flittered in place, and picked him back up. Severus then crossed the room and held Lucas out to Jess, who offered him her arms. Lucas didn't go to Jess, but instead gave her a peck on the cheek and leaned back into Severus' chest, closing his eyes and curling up comfortably.
"Night Luke," Jess said almost under her breath. She watched as Severus walked Luke back and forth across the room until he was asleep, one little finger curled around a strand of Severus' shiny black hair, then placed him in his crib, covered him, and set his mobile spinning. Then, still without a word to Jess, Severus swept out of the room leaving Jess to stand in stupefied amazement, her arms crossed and her brow furrowed.
When she finally came to her senses, and checked the way that Severus had tucked Luke in (it was perfect), she left the room and closed the door all but a crack. She went out in the sitting room, half expecting (and hoping she was wrong) Severus to have left. But he hadn't. He was out in the kitchen putting the milk away. Jess stood in the doorway watching, her hands at her side, looking somewhat abashed. When he finished he turned and looked at her, as if waiting for a grade from a professor.
"Well, how did I do," he seemed to ask with his expression. Jess couldn't stand it any longer. Those soft eyes and that even softer expression. The gentleness with which she'd handled her son. This wasn't someone she needed to fear. This was a man she could trust - a man she was sure didn't exist in the whole world since her father had died when she was just young. Throwing all caution to the wind she crossed the kitchen and snuggled in deep to his chest, seeming to want to bury herself in him. He smelled like Luke's bathwater and cinnamon.
At first he didn't know what to do, but it came to him quick enough and he wrapped two strong arms around her. And he held her wordlessly as she started to cry.