Out of her Hands

A/N: Huge thank you's to Miss Ang for being my beta reader. Thank you to everyone that took the time to read and review the last chapter. It means a great deal when I receive feedback. This is a short chapter because it is kind of tying up some loose ends. Only two more chapters left now after this one till the end!

Chapter 13: Congratulations and Decisions

Albus and Minerva both jumped to their feet and swept over to where the new proud father was standing with his first child wrapped up in a blanket. Minerva reached out and touched the baby's face with a finger. He was small and pink and Minerva was surprised how wrinkly he was. His eyes were shut tightly and his hands where balled up into fists. Minerva could just make out tiny wisps of golden blonde hair. There wasn't much of it but she could still see it with her keen eyesight.

"Oh Alastor," she said in whispered tones "he is amazing!"

"What have you decided to call this little fella then?" questioned Albus as he peered over Minerva's shoulder and into the bundle of blankets.

"We can't decide at the moment." Alastor replied.

Albus felt the strings in his heart pull as he looked down at the small baby boy. He was truly a beautiful sight to behold. He had thought that he and Minerva might have been with child at this stage if he hadn't been called away and then disappeared from her life. Minerva was the only woman he could see himself ever having children with and they would have been so beautiful.

"How is Poppy?" asked Minerva.

"She is tired but asking for you Min," answered Alastor with a smile.

Minerva nodded and walked into the room where Alastor and the baby had just come from and found Poppy propped up against some pillows. Poppy was all smiles but Minerva could tell that her best friend was exhausted but contented.

"Oh Poppy," said Minerva as she sat down beside her friend and reached for her hand. "You did so well! He is beautiful."

"I can't quite believe how perfect he is," replied Poppy softly. "He is so small and delicate. I am afraid that I may break him!"

Minerva smiled and squeezed Poppy's hand to comfort her. Poppy had been worrying about becoming a mother because she wasn't sure if she was up to the job. Minerva had been with Poppy throughout her pregnancy and truly believed that Poppy and Alastor would both make fantastic parents and their son would not want for love and affection.

"He is very lucky to have you for his mother, Poppy," said Minerva. "I know it all seems a bit daunting but once you settle into a routine, it will be wonderful. Alastor is already the doting father."

The mention of Alastor brought a big smile to Poppy's face and she sighed with contentment. Alastor had seemed a natural as soon as his son was in his arms. He had handed him to Poppy so she could feed him while he performed the other necessary charms on her. They were parents now and it still hadn't sunk in.

"I take it that you and Albus got on okay while you were waiting?" said Poppy with a raised eyebrow.

"Poppy," exclaimed Minerva with shock "you have just had a baby and now you are fishing for bits of gossip!"

"Well did you or did you not get on?" questioned Poppy.

Minerva smiled and nodded her head. She had been surprised that there had been no awkwardness between them as they waited. It seemed like things were back to normal, back to how they were before he disappeared and the only thing different was that she was not wearing her engagement ring anymore. Minerva had come to a decision moments before Alastor had announced that he had a son. She had nearly got the words out to Albus before something else took over the situation. She felt lighter for coming to a decision and in her heart; she knew that it was the right one. Deep down she had always known that she would go back to him and that it was just her anger that prevented it till now. He still needed to prove himself to her and she still needed reassurance that he wouldn't leave her behind again. But that would come with letting him back in her life.

"I have come to a decision Poppy," announced Minerva. "I can't let hurt rule my heart and my head. I need to give it another go and see what happens!"

"So you are going to forgive him and go back?" asked Poppy, her eyes shone with curiosity and excitement.

"Well," answered Minerva "a second chance!"

Poppy smiled and hugged her friend before encouraging to her go back out in the hallway and tell Alastor to bring back her son. When Minerva opened the door, she felt her breath catch in her throat as her eyes laid upon Albus gently rocking the new born baby in his arms and talking softly to him. Alastor looked over and smiled at Minerva. He realized that he had interrupted something when he announced that his son had been born and from the way Minerva was looking at Albus, Alastor felt that something else good was going to happen in the early hours of the morning.

"Does Poppy want us back?" asked Alastor.

"She is missing you both!" answered Minerva with a soft smile.

Reluctantly Albus handed the baby boy back to Alastor and waved goodbye as they disappeared back into the room where Poppy was waiting for them. Albus looked up and saw Minerva standing not to far away from him and he wanted to wrap his arms around her and hold her tight. He felt that they had moved into future while waiting for news on Poppy and the baby. He remembered that she was going to say something before Alastor appeared and he had been wondering what she was going to say since she had uttered the words.

"Poppy seems to very happy," explained Minerva "a bit overwhelmed but that is expected."

"Ah, I am glad," answered Albus "they have a beautiful son."

Minerva looked down at her feet. She was suddenly filled with nervousness and a loss for words. She had often got like this in the early stages of their relationship, and she would blush bright red and jumble up her words.

Albus noticed the change in Minerva's demeanor and it made him smile. He remembered this side of Minerva from long ago. He took a few steps closer to her and faced a finger under her chin gently, making her look him in the eye.

"Would you like to go out for dinner tonight?" he asked. He knew that he was taking a chance but he felt that it needed to be taken.

"I would like that very much Albus!" she replied.

To be continued.