They missed so many anniversaries, birthdays and important events while in hiding, however Talbott was adamant on not missing Christmas. Plus it was not like they could be the only undecorated, silent house in the neighborhood. It would have been far more suspicious than anything. So instead of finding an excuse that they were away for the winter holidays and risk being discovered as they moved around or perhaps wondered towards another location in case of an emergency, Talia witnessed him take a page out of her book.
Talbott was suddenly friendly and very unlike him, especially when it came down to their neighbors and she knew he was up to something. And sure enough when he came back with fairy lights and decorations, Talia could not help smiling at him. She knew well enough he was doing it for her and her only. Christmas was her favorite holiday out of all of them and despite the situation they were in, he wanted to ensure she still had something to hold onto.
They decorated early, just to keep the spirits up and a bit of hope inside their hearts. Ever since they had the tree up, Talia had been spending at least an hour a day sitting underneath it on the floor, staring up at the lights, contemplating everything.
As they were drawing near to Christmas, Talbott interrupted her thoughts one night, sitting down on the floor, tapping her leg in order to get her attention "Join me." She offered the invitation, him just crawling next to her "What's up?"
The corners of his mouths twitched slightly as he looked at her eyes reflecting all the fairy lights "Nothing bad, just wanted to tell you we will have guests on Christmas. Tonks and Remus are coming over." He expected some hesitation from her, however she just nodded her head instead.
"I don't have presents for anyone." She told him softly, Talbott smiling at her.
"I think we get a pass this year."
Talia turned her head to look back up at the lights, however it appeared as if her thoughts cast a shadow of darkness over her "Do we really get a pass?"
There was something different about her ever since she went to talk to Snape. It felt as if certain things calmed down inside her, while others surfaced. She did not wish to talk about their discussion, her insisting she was sworn to secrecy.
Calling her back from inside her mind, Talbott gently turned her face towards him "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, just trying to clear my head of everything. Honestly I wish some days I didn't have any brain in this head you know?" his thumb stroke her cheek, Talbott nodding. Biting down on her lower lip, she watched him for a few moments before she discarded the idea from her head "It will be good to have people here as a distraction."
"Since when do you allow distractions in your life?"
She chuckled, smirking in the end before she delivered her line "Singular, I only have one distraction." Winking at him, Talbott's eyes widened, his hand freezing on her face as he tried to make sense of her words without allowing for hope to make his heart flutter. It was hard enough having her so close to him, their status unknown, floating somewhere in between what was, what happened briefly and what could be. Removing his hand away from her face, he refrained from sighing. He did not wish to think about the worse scenario, one in which there was absolutely no future for them.
"We need to see what we can cook."
Laughing, she dismissed the idea "Screw cooking, focus on the drinks."
"We'll make something together, we can't get drunk and pass out on the floor." Glancing at him, she playfully slapped his arm "That's not a challenge." Talbott scolded her, causing Talia laugh.
Last Christmas he did not have her near, she did not join the others, but this year Talbott was adamant on dealing with things differently. So he did everything he could to keep her close. He helped in the kitchen, he frowned when Talia went to get the tray out of the oven without over mitts and came out unharmed, he tasted sauces, he made small pastries and decorated cookies all the while Talia watched over him like a literal hawk, carefully examining everything. He had not been that nervous not even when he took his Auror exam.
But when the doorbell rang and Tonks and Remus entered their rented house, everything was not only up to par, but it was perfect, Talbott's tie even being straightened before he opened the door.
As soon as the boys sat down to chat and Tonks and Talia went to get drinks, the redhead felt as if she could finally take a deep breath and relax her tense muscles "Wine?"
Tonks shook her head, Talia offering beer instead also telling her there was a tequila bottle stashed somewhere in the cupboard "No, sorry, nothing, water or tea is fine."
Lifting herself, she closed the fridge "Are you sick or something?" her voice held every bit of concern, but Tonks just smiled shaking her head "I'm serious, if you need anything, I can go get it."
"No, no." Tonks shook her head "I'm fine. I can't drink because well…" she pointed at her stomach, Talia's forehead creasing before her brows shot up in realization.
"No. Are you pregnant?"
Finally revealing a full smile, Tonks nodded enthusiastically, Talia going to hug her just so she could hide the horror on her face. A baby? Were they that stupid? During a war no less? However when she pulled away, she went to get the champagne, bringing in the living room three glasses. Turning around to look at her, Talbott's eyes were wide, Talia just shaking her head subtly, then smiling. They had to fake it, they had to be happy for them despite what they thought.
Leaning in to whisper in Talbott's ear, she confessed "Who knows, maybe this child won't know war, maybe it will all be over by the time he or she is born." His hand shot to her face, resting on her cheek for a moment, their heads touching before they both pulled away. It was a hopeful thought, but it felt nice nonetheless.
As the appetizers were brought in, another knock at the door was heard, Talia urging everyone to remain silent. Inhaling softly, she forced herself to be civil just in case it was her neighbors who decided to come over in order to sing carols together. However when she opened the door, her jaw dropped when she saw Jasper and Finnemore, the latter lifting a bottle of red wine "Heard there's a party. Code yes, I forgot yeah, already had a couple of glasses. I trained you" she added before Talia got in her face properly "you bought a leather bracelet for Talbott when I was trying to assure you there was nothing nefarious going on."
"Is there something nefarious going on now?" Talia asked as she stepped aside, Jasper smirking her way, causing Talia to stick her tongue out as she mimicked gaging.
"I got word to a few contacts abroad." He immediately spoke as Talia locked the door and Mirunna took off her coat, walking inside the living room "They'll join you."
"Me?" Talia's eyes shot to Jasper's face in an instant, him looking cross by her sheer tone her voice portrait.
"Yes you. They will not willingly follow a former traitor to battle. They will follow the immortal, the Light Healer, the fire tamer, the sole Crane to stand against the Cranes. You."
Her eyes lit up instantly, beyond dark anger, beyond ration, as if it was a part of her, igniting at his very spoken words "I am so one commander, no one should follow my words."
Jasper hand coiled in her shirt in an instant, his face coming dangerously close to hers "Then you'd better find your fire once more. Maybe I should send my dogs after Winger once more, maybe then you'll figure it out."
"I'm right here." Talbott's hand grabber Jasper's, prying him away from Talia, his forehead forcefully slamming against his face, Talia gasping as the tables turned quickly. She found herself the following moment pressed against Talbott's broad back, Mirunna's voice laughing.
"Told you, now come here." Jasper did not protest as he left them all alone, her healing his wounds as she shook her head, combing the hair away from his face with her free hand. Witnessing it, both Talia and Talbott shuddered at the very thought of them actually being together.
Another knock at the door had Talia once more on high alert, Talbott turning around to look at her "Don't, it's alright. This is" he breathed in once more, eyes closing for a second too long "my present for you…in a sense." Turning the knob Felix Rosier stood in the doorway, Talia gasping before she wrapped her arms around him.
Leaving them together in order to talk, Jasper locked eyes with Talbott, the only thing provided being a disapproving shake of his head before he turned his attention back to Mirunna. Talbott watched them, feeling sick to his stomach for a few moments as he understood what was happening between them. They were clearly together, there was no denying it and it was not like they were actively trying to hide it.
"What are you doing here? You should be in Romania, you should be somewhere safe." Talia spoke, looking at him, happy to see the color back in his cheeks.
"Do not please, if I have to eat anymore beans and sausages I will hurl. Charlie made me eat and drink like I was about to fall off my feet the very next second. Not pleasant and I know" he said pointing a finger at her "that your sealed letter had something to do with it."
Talia chuckled as Felix removed his coat and hung it "Well you did look like you were dead so no harm done. But seriously" she confronted him "what are you doing here?"
"I want to see thing through. Talbott kept in close contact with us, me and Charlie have everything prepared in case of an attack. Hopefully more and more will join. Voldemort will be defeated."
"I need to make certain everything is as you all say. Sooner or later I will need to travel."
Felix frowned slightly "No, you are needed here Talia. Trust me on this one." Glancing inside the living room, Talbott glared at him for a few moments before he turned his attention to Remus "Unless something is happening here that is preventing you from" he stopped, trying to find the suitable words "moving forward?" he tried, Talia cocking a thin brow.
"I'm fine." She quickly cut him off "And even if I wasn't, I have to be." Looking over at everyone in the living room, she eventually glanced back at Felix "For everyone's sake, I need to keep it together."
"And who will watch over you then?" he saw her glancing back at the group gathered inside her house, Talbott turning his eyes towards her, a thin lip smiled being directed her way.
"Come on, we need to enjoy the food before it gets cold."
As the rest remained in the living room, Talia went to the kitchen to get everything ready, Talbott and Remus joining her in order to take out the table. A few moments later Talbott came back, taking dishes and utensils, leaving them on the table so the rest could arrange everything.
"You shouldn't have encouraged him." Talia spoke as soon as he came back in to take some of the food "But I understand where you're coming from as well as him." Turning around to look at him, Talbott sat in the doorway motionless "However" she added as she walked over to him "you didn't ask me how I felt about it."
"Alright then, how do you feel about it besides pissed off?"
Smirking, she licked her lips "Oh I'm not pissed, I value Felix's friendship. As for you" pulling him in, Talia kissed him slowly, allowing for Talbott's brain to catch up to the event. His heart raced, his arms wrapped around her waist, head went in overdrive as he kissed her back.
A Christmas miracle? Perhaps.
An idea she had planted in her mind for a long time? Definitely.
Them allowing for themselves to have a second chance? Only time could tell.