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Chapter 40 Having My Baby
Havin'
my baby
What a lovely way of sayin' how much you love me
Havin'
my baby
What a lovely way of sayin' what you're thinkin' of me
I
can see it, face is glowin'
I can see in your eyes, I'm happy you
know it...
That
you're havin' my baby
You're the woman I love and I love what
it's doin' to ya
Havin' my baby
You're a woman in love and I
love what's goin' through ya
Paul Anka "Having My Baby"
Snape opened his eyes and wondered why he was staring at the ceiling in the hospital. Then it hit him like a ton of bricks: Alexis: Pregnant: Twins. For a moment he considered passing out again. But he had never been a coward, and he had responsibilities to be faced, after all he was going to be a father.
A father, no matter what he and Lucius had discussed, he had never really considered the thought that he would have children. The Snape line could die with him for all he cared. However, the thought of Alexis with his sons nestled to her breast, gave him a certain feeling of hope, quickly followed by fear. What type of father would he be?
Alexis leaned over the side of the bed and looked down at Snape, "You are going to be a wonderful father," she assured him, "you have one of the best father figures as an example, Albus Dumbledore."
At the look on his face she laughed, "No I cannot read your mind, but I can read the look on your face. Now if you will please get up off the floor, Poppy has some instructions for us."
Snape had a very determined look in his face and a copious amount of notes on the dos and don'ts of being a pregnant witch. When Alexis would have headed down to the Great Hall to finally get some breakfast, Snape turned her down another corridor. Shooting him a puzzled look, she reluctantly put away thoughts of a hot breakfast.
Snape stopped before the stone gargoyle guarding the headmaster's office, "Laffy Taffy," he said with distaste.
At the top of the stairs they found the office door open and Dumbledore waiting for them. Alexis was happy to see a full breakfast tray with three place settings.
"Albus, if you share your breakfast with me, I might be persuaded to name our first born after you."
"That won't be necessary my dear. Although Albus is a good strong name," he twinkled as he gestured for her to help herself to breakfast.
Alexis heaped a plate high with eggs, toast, bacon, sausage, potatoes, and was reaching for some pancakes when Snape took her plate and halved all the portions and put back all of the sausages before handing it to her, "Meany," she accused with a pout.
"Headmaster, I was wondering how soon you would be able to officiate at our wedding ceremony?"
Alexis stopped with her fork in her mouth to stare at Snape.
Dumbledore twinkled even more, "I believe you have already filed your betrothal agreements," at Snape's nod, "then how about this weekend?"
Alexis had managed to swallow the mouthful of eggs, "What's the rush?"
Snape gave her a look, "Did you forget so soon what Madame Pomfrey just told us?"
"No, I didn't. But…I see…teacher….public opinion….sorry a little slow this morning. I thought you weren't supposed to lose brain cells until after the kids were born?" Alexis grinned and went back to filling her stomach.
"May I offer my congratulations on both your up coming nuptials and your pregnancy?" Albus looked as if he could light a fire with the warmth of his smile alone.
"Thank you. I believe we will want a quite ceremony: just a few people. After a while we can make an announcement and keep the date of the actual ceremony vague," Snape looked at Dumbledore to see what he thought of this plan.
Dumbledore was nodding his head in agreement when he was interrupted by Alexis, "Why do you want to keep it a secret? Afraid people will think I used the oldest trick in the book to get you to marry me?"
Snape was surprised to see actual tears welling up in Alexis' eyes. He was even more surprised when she burst into sobs and accused, "You don't love me."
Looking to Dumbledore for help in how to deal with the over emotional woman crying into her napkin while still trying to feed her face, "Alexis, of course I love you," he said calmly.
"Oh in that case," Alexis sniffed a few more times before blowing her nose loudly, "I'll just let you deal with it however you think best, dear. Do you think I can have a little more bacon?"
He handed her the bacon carefully so as to not incite another outburst and watched in amazement as she took the whole plate and happily began munching on it.
Dumbledore was trying hard not to laugh at the look on his Potions Professor's face. It had been years since Albus had had to deal with a pregnant witch. But he would never forget the mood swings, cravings and wonderful bother that went with it. Alexis was going to led Severus a merry chase.
Snape heard the bell signaling that first class was starting in five minutes, "Albus, I believe you will understand if Alexis can no longer bab..I mean guard Potter. In her delicate condition I do not want her exposed to any danger from Sirius Black. Now I really must go or I will be late for class. Come Alexis."
Alexis looked with longing at the three pieces of bacon that she hadn't had a chance to eat. Dumbledore handed her a napkin and a slice of toast. Flashing him a grateful smile she folded the bacon in the toast, wrapped it all in the napkin and followed Snape out of the office.
Alexis stowed the napkin wrapped sandwich in her pocket for later. Snape held her arm in a tight grip as he helped her down the stairs, "I want you to go back to our rooms and rest," he told her absently.
"Severus I am not going to stay in our rooms all day. I am not sick," Alexis said patiently.
Snape decided not to risk another emotional outburst, "Will you agree to stay with me while I teach my classes? I'll show you how to make a morning sickness potion," he tempted her.
"Deal," Alexis smiled up at him.
Snape sent Alexis in first so that he could make his usual dramatic entrance. Standing in the corridor waiting for the dread of his arrival to build, he could hear the students greeting Alexis and her return greeting. Deciding that enough time had elapsed, he thrust the doors open with a loud band and an unnecessary, "Settle down."
He looked over the class, all of the students were bent industriously over their cauldrons and the instructions were already on the board. Alexis was seated at his desk with his chair tilted back on two legs leafing through his class plans. She looked up at him and gave him a smirk.
Even the Weasley twins actually seemed to be doing the assignment instead of plotting some way to disrupt the class. Glaring at Alexis, Snape didn't know what to do. He couldn't yell at anyone because everyone was doing what they were supposed to be doing. Alexis was giving him an innocent look, but he could see that she was enjoying his quandary. Deciding that someone must be doing something wrong somewhere, Snape began patrolling the aisles.
After three circuits of the room, he had been unable to find anyone so much as stirring their cauldron incorrectly. He shot another frustrated look at Alexis, wondering how on earth she had managed to get this class of Gryffindors and Slytherins to perform so well.
Moving up to his desk, "Are you ready to begin working on your potion Miss. Draluck?"
"Yes Professor Snape," Alexis replied demurely.
Remus was trying to concentrate on the lesson he was teaching his third year Hufflepuffs. All he wanted to think about was Amber and the time he had spent with her over the weekend.
Instead of her apparating after she got outside the gates, he had ended up walking her all the way home. Neither had been willing for the evening to end.
He had invited her to the Quidditch game the next day, Slytherin verses Ravenclaw. When she agreed, he had told her he would come by to get her and they could apparate to the school gates.
After leaving her at her door, he had decided to walk back to the school. He wanted time to think. Was it really fair for him to pursue a relationship with her? His thoughts circled round and round. If any woman would be able to handle what he was, certainly one whose Animagus form was a wolf would be the one. The only decision he reached was to wait and see if the attraction was as strong tomorrow and go from there.
The next morning, Remus arrived to find Amber ready and waiting. They apparated to the school boundaries and walked to the Quidditch field from there. Remus found his feelings conflicted. The attraction was even stronger than it had been last night. Amber was just echoing his feelings when she told him that it felt as if they had known each other for years instead of hours.
Habit had Remus heading toward the Gryffindor seats, but Amber had seen Alexis and Snape sitting in the Slytherin stands. Feeling as if any minute he might be struck by lightning, Remus followed Amber over to sit with the other couple.
Amber gave Alexis a hug in greeting. Remus nodded to Alexis and carefully avoiding meeting Snape's eyes, nodded in his general direction. There was a stunned moment of silence from the students in the stands when the pretty witch gave Snape her usual warm greeting of a kiss on the cheek. Everyone seemed to be holding their breath waiting to see what hex the dour professor would use on someone so bold. When it appeared as if he were going to ignore the impertinence, you could almost feel the disappointment in the air.
Snape was filling Amber in on the Slytherin team players. Alexis had leaned back so that Amber and Snape could converse more easily. Looking over at the uncomfortable Remus, Alexis lightly touched his arm causing him to start in surprise. When he looked over at her, she gave him a smile, "Relax, they don't bite until after the game is over. The confusion from everyone leaving provides them with the best cover."
Remus looked startled until he saw the glint of humor in her eyes, "Just remember, I don't have to out run them, I just have to out run the only other Lion brave enough to sit in the Snake Pit."
Alexis laughed and squeezed his arm, "I've been hanging around one snake long enough to know that if I trip you I won't have to run at all."
Amber claimed their attention, "Who is that stern looking witch over there and why is she sending death glares at Remus and Alexis?"
Looking in the direction Amber indicated Remus and Alexis both winced as they saw the looks Professor McGonagall was sending them.
"That is the head of Gryffindor House and in her eyes we are consorting with the enemy. The only thing that would compound our sin is if Gryffindor were playing and we chose to sit over here," Alexis explained to Amber's amusement.
"You're serious?" she asked in amazement.
"House pride is very important. Just ask Severus what he would do if I were to go sit with the Gryffindors," Alexis replied.
Amber looked at Snape to see if Alexis was having her on.
Snape deadpanned, "I would have to break our betrothal on grounds of unfaithfulness if she were to dare to go sit over there."
"What are you going to do when Gryffindor does play?" Amber asked Alexis.
"I plan on coming down with a nasty case of something contagious so I will have to stay in my room the whole weekend," Alexis winked at Amber.
"Indeed," Snape replied, "I will have to make sure to prepare you an antidote potion the week before the game. Speaking of games, this one is about to start," Snape nodded at the players who were now coming out onto the field.
Slytherin won by a narrow margin. Amber had grabbed Remus and gave him a big kiss in her excitement at Draco's spectacular dive to catch the snitch and win the game.
After the game Alexis and Snape returned to the castle. Alexis refused to leave the school grounds until her hair at least was back to normal. Her tail had started to shrink and was now only about two feet long so her robes hid it. But her hair was still bright neon green and had the annoying tendency to stand on end at the slightest bit of static electricity.
Remus escorted Amber home. She had invited him in for lunch and they had spent a pleasant afternoon together. When it was time for him to leave, she had grabbed him before he could open the door and gave him a kiss that left him breathless.
"Just something to remember me by," she told him as she opened the door so he could leave.
Remus ran a finger down her cheek, "I don't think I could forget you if I tried."
Remus came back from the memories of the weekend. Realizing one of his students had asked a question, Remus once again tried to concentrate on the task at hand instead of remembering how wonderful it had been to spend time with Amber and wondering when he could see her again.
After class, Remus sat at his desk trying to decide what to tell Amber. He didn't think it was fair not to tell her about his condition. But he also didn't want to lose any chance he might have for a relationship with her. He really wished he could talk to Lily. She would have been able to give him advice and if she didn't have any advice she would have listened to him talk it out. Sirius and James would have laughed at him and Peter would have wondered what the fuss was all about. But Lily would have listened and done whatever she could to help him. It had been nice having a friend who happened to be a girl. Thinking about Lily, made Remus realize he still had a friend who was a girl, Alexis. And Alexis just happened to be friends with Amber. He started to chuckle. It reminded him of when they had been at school and James had asked Remus to talk to Lily for him. Well, Lily and James had ended up together, so maybe there was hope for him after all.
Remus didn't see Alexis until lunch. Stopping by her chair on his way to sit down, he just stared at the amount of food she was putting on her plate. He watched as Snape took her plate and put half of her food onto his plate.
"Lupin did you want something or are you just going to loom over us unpleasantly while we try to eat," Snape sniped.
"Alexis, I was wondering if I might have a word with you later?" Remus asked.
Alexis smiled up at him and nodded but didn't say anything because her mouth was full of food.
"After lunch then?" Remus was wondering how such a tiny woman could pack it away like that.
Alexis had finally finished her mouthful, "In your office?"
Remus nodded and then made his way to his own place at the table. He watched in morbid fascination as Alexis kept helping herself to food and Snape kept taking it from her. Alexis sent him a wink when Snape was intent on removing half of the apple pie quarter she had placed on her plate. Remus grinned at the game she was playing with Snape.
They both finished lunch at about the same time so Remus walked back over so he could escort her to his office.
Alexis was impatiently telling Snape, "I promise I will not do anything more strenuous than talking to Remus. Now go teach your class. As soon as Remus and I are finished I will return to the Potions classroom."
Snape gave Remus a warning look, "Lupin, you had better take good care of her," before he stormed out of the hall.
"You would think I was made out of spun glass instead of just pregnant with twins the way that man acts. If he is this bad so early on what is he going to be like when I start showing?"
Alexis turned as Remus choked out, "What did you just say?"
Alexis starting laughing, Remus was supporting himself by leaning against the table with one hand in a soup tureen and the other in what was left of an apple pie: he was in a total state of shock. His mouth was opening and closing but no other words were coming out.
Still chuckling, "I am pregnant with twins."
Remus finally found his voice, "How the hell did that happen?"
