At nine o'clock Albus made his way up the stairs, and was prepared to knock this time before entering but the door was a jar. Looking in to the room the sight that met his eyes warmed his heart. Minerva was sitting in the bed with her hair down while Athena was in her lap and Minerva was reading the child a story as she slept. Albus was one of the few people Minerva had let see her softer side, and this child brought out the mother in Minerva and he hoped that her time had not run out. He knew she would make an excellent mother someday.
Feeling eyes on her Minerva looked up to find Albus watching them. She kept his gaze for a moment before returning it to Athena. Putting the book aside she moved the child to lie on the left side of the bed. Without a word Albus collected his nightwear, and adjourned to the bathroom to change. Once again when he entered the room he stopped to stare. Minerva was stroking Athena's hair, and singing softly to her. He also noticed, to his delight, that they would be sleeping beside each other. Minerva stopped when she realized Albus was back in the room.
"Don't stop, my dear. I had no idea you possessed such a beautiful voice."
Blushing Minerva replied, "Oh, Albus. It isn't beautiful, but Athena usually likes it. She says it helps with her nightmares."
"The child has nightmares," Albus asked moving closer to the bed.
"Frequent ones, it seems some of her mother's boyfriends have not been stellar and none of them were too happy to find out Natalie had a child."
"They didn't hurt her did they?" he asked his voice sharp.
"Not that I am aware of. I think it is more Natalie would choose the men over Athena. She's an angel, Albus, but she's hurting."
Albus looked at the child in a new light, and he ceased to wonder why the she clung to Minerva so.
"She is lucky to have you, my dear. You really are good with her."
"She's not the only one who's lucky. She has helped to bring out a side of me I buried long ago. We need each other, Albus, and if I could I would raise her."
Climbing in behind Minerva he sat his glasses on the nightstand, "Hmmm. I don't think you could take her during the year, but perhaps things could be arranged for the summer."
"Are you serious Albus?" Minerva asked excited.
"Yes, Minerva. Nothing final, but I will see what I can do."
Without thinking Minerva replied happily, "Oh, Albus, I could kiss you!" Immediately after she said it Minerva turned bright red and moved to fully face Athena hoping Albus would just forget she said that. Albus was disappointed when he realized he would not be receiving a kiss, and he feared that Minerva did not feel the same about the kiss that he did. Sighing inwardly he pulled the blankets up to cover the two beside of him, and turned toward Minerva and fell asleep.
Later in the night Albus awoke to the sound of someone crying, and he immediately sat up in bed and lit his wand. Looking down he realized it was Athena, and Minerva was holding her trying to calm her down.
"Minerva, what's wrong," Albus asked sleepily.
"Go back to sleep, Albus. I'll calm her down."
"I am most certainly not going back to sleep, Professor McGonagall. I'm quite affronted that you think I would not want to help the child. Why is she crying, Minerva?"
Minerva had visibly cringed at his tone and the use of her formal title, and she wanted to cry herself. In a soft voice she replied, "I'm sorry Albus, I just wanted you to get your sleep." After a pause she continued, "I don't know what's wrong. She just cries, and won't tell me."
Turning toward Athena Minerva said, "My angel tell Aunt Min what is wrong, and then I could help you sweetheart. Albus and I are both here to help you."
Athena sniffed, and eventually spoke: "I had a dream that you didn't love me anymore, and that you left me because Albus didn't like me."
Minerva's face fell, as she hugged the child closer, "Athena look at me." When the child did as directed Minerva continued while stroking her hair, "I love you, Athena. I will always love you. I will never leave you, my angel. No man could make me leave you. My Darling, how could I leave my angel?"
Athena threw her arms around Minerva's neck, burying her head in the crook of her aunt's neck, and tried to calm herself but before she could get really comfortable Albus reached over and lifted Athena from Minerva's lap. Sitting the child on his own he spoke: "Athena I would never ask your Aunt Min to choose between us. I love her with all my heart, and you, my child, in less than a day have wormed your way into my heart as well. Loving someone, really loving them, means taking everything that comes with them, and sometimes things that come with them are good and sometimes they are bad. For example your Aunt has quite the temper, now that can be a bad thing..." looking to Minerva he noticed she had a bit of a scowl on her face but he continued, "you, however, are very much a good thing. Loving and living with Minerva allows we to love you, and get to know you. I would never give up that opportunity, nor would I ever make Minerva choose. You see I love her too much to ever even think about making her make that decision."
"So, you will both never leave me?"
Albus had to contain a chuckle at how Athena had just summed up what they both said in one question. "Yes, we will never leave you." This time Albus was the one that got the big hug, from Athena and from Minerva.
"Alright, Miss, it is time we all got back to sleep," Minerva said as she moved Athena back to where she was sleeping. This time, however, Albus put his arm over the two women which caused Minerva to press firmly up against his chest.
The next morning when they awoke Athena was already out of bed, which gave Minerva a chance to thank Albus for what he did the night before.
"Albus, I want to thank you for what you said last night. It really helped her, and it was very sweet. You should consider a career on the stage, Albus, you pretend very well."
"I was glad to help, Minerva." Leaning closer to her he took her cheek in his hand, and said: "Who said I was pretending?" With that he kissed Minerva lightly on the nose, and left the room to shower leaving a very flustered Minerva in his wake.