Seven Years Later...
Chapter 28
"An October Wedding"
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Author's Notes: This is Ecko's baby right here… She plotted and planned on this chapter, working her mind, and her hands to the bone almost. Hopefully you all enjoy it…
And Read and Review.
Alexis paced nervously to and fro in the Foyer, looking at the ground with worry, dressed only in a white slip for her wedding dress and carrying the bouquet of flowers. She had been planning this event for a month now, and she still didn't feel as if she was ready.
Artimis, very much pregnant, sat on the steps of the stairs leading to the second floor, clothed in her full attire and following Alexis with a gaze of frustration, chin in her hands. Alexis ignored her, rambling to herself, trying to keep her mind off the pressing event soon to take place.
"Why do we carry flowers? I don't even like these flowers... they're not even real..."
"So you have something to do with your hands when you're walking down the aisle." Artimis sighed, shaking her head at Alexis's nervously.
"Oh... an aisle... but it's not really an aisle... a space with lots of people on each side... well, maybe it is an aisle..." Alexis mumbled, still pacing back and forth, fiddling with the flowers nervously. Artimis sighed loudly, burying her head in her hands. Alexis ignored her, too worried on the task at hand. She was getting married... that meant formalities... lots of people... vows... lots of stress...
Alexis shook her head, not knowing if she could go through with this. "Ron loves me enough... can't we just stay permanent boyfriend and girlfriend? Why go through all of this? ..."
"Because he proposed and you said yes." Artimis told her matter of factly, looking at Alexis with frustration. Alexis glared slightly at her. She wasn't helping any. Alexis paced a little bit more, trying to rekindle her usually present spark of courage that just so conveniently vanished the minute she awoke this morning. She stopped, grumbling to herself. "I'm so gonna screw this up... I'm gonna trip, stutter, something to mess all this up... I, I need ice cream..."
She whined, turning and promptly heading towards the Kitchen. She dug through the freezer, pulling out a box of chocolate fudge swirl ice cream, and grabbing a large spoon out of a drawer. She headed back into the Living room, pacing in circles around the couch as she ate out of the box nervously.
There's gonna be lots of people... have to be quiet and listen to the preacher... all these damn rules. Do they really expect me to remember all of them! She thought to herself. Artimis walked in, Hermione following her, carrying the wedding dress.
"Oh no..." Alexis whined as Artimis took the ice cream from her and held her still as Hermione struggled to pull the dress over Alexis as she squirmed uncomfortably. They successfully got it on her and straightened it out, Alexis stepping back and glaring slightly as Hermione snickered and walked out of the Living room. Alexis grabbed her ice cream off the table, taking two more large bites. Artimis shook her head as she spoke softly. "Alexis, you've got to calm down. You're not going to mess this up, alright? It's okay."
Alexis nodded, standing still for a minute, trying to steady her breathing, before she asked once again. "There's going to be a lot of people, isn't there. And they're all going to be watching me... oh no..." Alexis complained, a rising lump of fear in her throat as she began pacing once again. Artimis rolled her eyes at her, and then they heard a loud knock on the front door. Artimis turned to go answer it as Alexis wore down the carpet underfoot.
Alexis stopped pacing for a minute as she listened to Artimis opening the door, still eating the ice cream.
"Oh hello! Wow, I didn't think you were going to show up, you said you might not be able to... come in..." Artimis exclaimed happily, Alexis cocking her head in confusion. She walked out into the Foyer, wondering whom the guest was. She froze suddenly, her eyes going wide as she viewed Severus standing in the doorway, looking her up and down curiously.
Alexis swallowed her bite of ice cream painfully, thinking quickly. He's here! Why? Last time I checked he could care less if I was getting married... And he's seeing me in a dress... NOOO!
"Ahh! You can't see me like this!" Alexis yelped, diving back out of sight into the Living room. She ran behind the couch, plopping down behind it, dress and all, clutching her box of ice cream to her. That's it. I have concluded that I DON'T like weddings... and that's that... She thought to herself as she heard booted footsteps going through the foyer. She rose to her knees, peeking over the couch and seeing Artimis standing there, shaking her head.
Alexis cocked her head, and then felt a hand latch onto her arm as Hermione pulled her up, yanking her towards Artimis and removing the ice cream and spoon from her grasp. Alexis looked between them in confusion, and then Artimis pulled out the veil.
Alexis eyes widened in a panic. "NOO! Not that!" She yelped as Hermione pinned her arms down, Artimis stepped forward and trying to wrestle it onto her head. She succeeded and Alexis scrambled away from them as Artimis warned. "Take it off and I will kick you."
Alexis looked at her through the white mesh angrily. "I hate these things... I feel like I'm in a net, or cage..." She whined as Artimis shoved her towards the back of the Foyer, towards the back porch.
Alexis paced in front of the doors nervously as Hailey shoved the flowers into her hand. Suddenly Alexis felt very constricted, almost as if she couldn't breath. She took quick shallow breaths as Remus walked into the Foyer towards them.
I can't do this... this is too much... She thought frantically, stopping where she stood in her effort to breath. Artimis suddenly appeared in front of her, taking her head in her hands and staring into her eyes.
"Alexis... breath... it's okay. Look, Remus is here to walk you down the aisle... just breathe..." Artimis spoke to her gently, and Alexis nodded, taking deep breaths, not feeling as constricted as Artimis slowly let her go. Remus walked up beside her, taking her arm tightly, asking softly. "Are you alright?"
Alexis looked up at him pleadingly, shaking her head. Artimis backed away, speaking to Remus. "She'll be okay, just keep a good hold on her... It's my turn to walk out there, alright?" Artimis asked Alexis, and her eyes widened. "Right now! And me right after!"
Artimis nodded, backing towards the back doors.
"But... I'm not ready... Artimis! Don't leave me!" Alexis called after her frantically, but Artimis had disappeared out the doors. Alexis watched her leave with wide eyes as she thought in slight panic. Oh god... I'm next... now what?
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Artimis watched as Alexis paced in front of her, making her slightly nauseous. She was seven and a half months pregnant by now, about the size of a small whale, well at least in her opinion. Artimis put her head in her hands as Alexis rambled on and on in a slip, trying to rationalize everything. Which was making Artimis a very cranky person. She was happy for her best friend, but she was not in the mood for whining, and that's what Alexis was doing. Artimis heard Alexis whine loudly again, looking at the flowers in her hand.
"Why do we carry flowers? I don't even like these flowers... they're not even real..."
"So you have something to do with your hands when you're walking down the aisle." Artimis sighed dramatically, shaking her head at Alexis's nervousness. Artimis watched her a bit more, listening to the ranting of an insane bride to be. She saw Alexis shake her head in the 'what am I doing' fashion as Alexis spoke in confusion.
"Ron loves me enough... can't we just stay permanent boyfriend and girlfriend? Why go through all of this? ..."
"Because he proposed and you said yes." Artimis informed her matter of factly, glaring at Alexis in utter frustration. Artimis decided to just let Alexis vent her worry and to ignore her. Then Alexis started grumbling to herself as she headed to the kitchens.
"I'm so gonna screw this up... I'm gonna trip, stutter, something to mess all this up... I, I need ice cream..."
Artimis groaned and proceeded to lift herself up, not an easy task for her now and began heading to the kitchens as Alexis swooped out in front of her towards the living room, a box of ice cream in one hand and a spoon in the other. Artimis looked into the lounge, seeing Alexis pacing in wild circles, mumbling to herself through spoonfuls of ice cream.
"Is she ready?" Hermione whispered from behind her and Artimis shook her head in worry.
"As ready as she'll ever be." Artimis replied as they walked in. Alexis whined when she saw the wedding dress in Hermione's hands. Artimis quickly snatched away her ice cream and set it down, holding Alexis in place as Hermione pulled the dress over her head. They both worked to fasten it on to her and Alexis squirmed the whole time. After she was done, they let her go, deciding the veil could wait a few moments.
Artimis watched as Alexis grabbed her ice cream off the table, taking two more large bites. Artimis shook her head as she spoke softly. "Alexis, you've got to calm down. You're not going to mess this up, alright? It's okay."
Alexis nodded, standing still for a minute; Artimis could tell she was trying to steady her breathing. Then she asked Artimis another question.
"There's going to be a lot of people, isn't there. And they're all going to be watching me... oh no..." Alexis complained to her and Artimis rolled her eyes, frustrated at her friend. She went to tell Alexis to calm down again when she heard a knock on the door.
"I'll get it." She hissed under her breath as she walked out, looking to Hermione with the 'you watch her' look. She walked out into the foyer, reaching the door and opening it. What she saw surprised her. Severus looked at her, looking her up and down and seeming as if he was lost. She had invited him, knowing he probably wouldn't come because he was working, but she invited him anyways. That and well, it was Alexis's wedding. She had thought that would be enough to scare him off. She guessed she had thought wrong.
"Oh hello! Wow, I didn't think you were going to show up, you said you might not be able to... come in..." Artimis exclaimed happily, moving aside to let him walk in.
"Thanks. Have I missed the disaster?" He mused and she frowned at him.
"Be nice to her, she is so nervous she's driving me up a wall." Artimis told him and he snorted, his attention turning toward the lounge. Artimis turned to see Alexis standing there frozen with a spoonful of ice cream on the way to her mouth, eyes wide. Artimis didn't have time to speak before Alexis yelped loudly. "Ahh! You can't see me like this!"
Severus snickered lightly as she dived back out of sight into the Living room. "Is that-?" He started and she finished that question for him.
"Alexis in a wedding dress and a box of ice cream? Yes. Why don't you go ahead and sit out back, we'll, be out shortly." She told him and he nodded, looking back toward the lounge where Alexis had run. Artimis began to saunter to the room, Severus snickering at her gait behind her.
"You know what? You keep laughing and I'll find some evil way to make you feel like you are seven months pregnant, ok?" She told him and he silenced.
"Wish me luck, we're gonna put the veil on now." She told him with a resigned tone as he entered the doorway.
"I shall await the flame-broiled bridesmaids." He replied as he walked away, Artimis glaring after him.
Artimis walked into the living room to see Alexis peering at her from behind a couch.
She is on the floor, in the wedding Dress!... Breath Artimis, let it slide... Artimis told herself as she watched Hermione hoist Alexis to her feet and drag her toward Artimis. Artimis walked toward her and saw Hermione snatch the ice cream away from her yet again. She saw Alexis look at them as if she was lost and then Artimis pulled out the veil.
Alexis eyes widened in a panic. "NOO! Not that!" She yelped as Hermione pinned her arms down. Artimis walked forward and snuggly placed the veil on Alexis's head. Alexis scrambled away from them as Artimis warned.
"Take it off and I will kick you."
Alexis looked at her through the white mesh angrily. "I hate these things... I feel like I'm in a net, or cage..."
Artimis ignored her whining as she pushed Alexis out of the lounge and into the foyer, moving her toward the back porch, seeing as Alexis wanted her wedding outside in the fall.
Oh yippee... Cold wind and leaves... Artimis whined to herself as Hailey shoved the bouquet into Alexis's hands and then walked out the doors, holding her own flowers. Artimis looked at Alexis as she began to hyperventilate. She turned to see Remus walking toward them, much to her relief, for Remus at least looked like he had it together. Artimis moved around Alexis and grabbed her face, shaking Alexis from whatever thoughts were running through her head. She looked into her best friend's eyes, trying to convey some calmness to her.
"Alexis... breath... it's okay. Look, Remus is here to walk you down the aisle... just breathe..." Artimis told her gently, and Alexis nodded at her. Artimis noticed that Alexis was taking deeper breaths and she let her go slowly. Remus walked up beside Alexis and Artimis watched as he took he arm, asking her if she was alright with slight concern.
Artimis backed away, speaking to Remus. "She'll be okay, just keep a good hold on her... It's my turn to walk out there, alright?" Artimis asked Alexis slowly and her eyes grew wide.
"Right now! And me right after!" Alexis asked in a panic. Artimis nodded to her, backing towards the back doors quickly. Artimis turned and began to walk out the doors, feeling like the announcing blimp before a game. She heard Alexis yell behind her loud enough that the whole guest body heard her.
"But... I'm not ready... Artimis! Don't leave me!" Alexis called after her frantically, but Artimis had disappeared out the doors. Artimis shook her head and walked up to Hailey, smirked as she shrugged, waiting for Alexis and hoping she didn't trip.
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Alexis stared out the back porch doors, looking like a cornered animal as she watched Artimis reach Hailey at the end of the aisle. Staring down it, she swore it grew to about a mile long. She swallowed painfully, looking up at Remus, who smiled warmly and comfortingly back down at her. "You know, why does the Jaws theme song come to mind?..." She spoke nervously, Remus shaking his head.
"God, I've got to stop watching scary movies at midnight..."Alexis mumbled lowly, Remus looking down at her and speaking softly. "Alexis, we've got to start walking now."
Alexis suddenly froze, eyes widening. (Oh on... the walking and the tripping and the staring... um, why are the staring?... They don't need to stare...)
They're staring because you're the bride honey... Artimis spoke to her calmly from their mind link, Alexis's gaze darting up to her at the end of the aisle.
(Okay, I get that. But why stare? Can they just look up at you guys and just give me a quick glance now and then?) Alexis spoke back nervously as Remus took a step forward, Alexis's arm tucked firmly under his as he held her hand in place against his arm, leading her out into the open.
No honey. You've got to walk up here now. Right foot... left foot... Artimis replied slowly.
(Okay... but they're still staring...) Alexis commented, looking around at all the people who were watching her, seemingly waiting for her to screw up.
Alexis, look at Ron. Just keep looking at Ron Artimis cooed soothingly, obviously in an attempt to keep Alexis calm. Alexis locked her gaze on Ron, who was staring and giving her a smirk.
(Why's he staring too!) Alexis asked frantically, gaze darting back to Artimis.
Artimis seemed to mentally sigh as she informed her. Because he's in love with you, damnit...
(Why are you yelling at me? You don't have to yell...) Alexis whined, not feeling any better as she practically glued herself to Remus's side.
I'm not yelling... It's just the baby making me cranky... Just keep breathing and walking and don't stop looking at Ron...Ok, just keep moving... Artimis told her gently and apologetically.
(Okay...) Alexis replied meekly, looking at Ron as she walked forward, feeling the stares on her but trying her hardest to ignore them. Then she saw a glimmer of darkness at her side. Her gaze flicked to the side, and she met Severus's amused gaze. Alexis's chest froze as she stared wide-eyed at him. She knew he was mocking her somehow in his head, and knowing that didn't help one bit.
(HE'S staring at me... in a dress... oh god, air... can't breath...) Alexis thought, feeling faint, constricted once more in the dress. Remus looked down at her in alarm, speaking softly. "Alexis, breath... calm down..."
Alexis whispered out, her vision blurring slightly. "I... I think I'm gonna pass out..."
"No! No don't pass out... uh, hot fudge sundae... peanut butter cookies? ... Um..." Remus listed frantically and quietly at the same time, hoping to distract her mind. Alexis looked up at him in slight confusion, knees weakening.
Artimis suddenly cut into the conversation. (Ron, in a tu-tu... a pink tu-tu...)
Alexis looked up towards Artimis in bewilderment. (WHAT?)
Keep looking at Ron, or he will be in a pink tu-tu... Artimis growled mentally. Alexis shook her head and swallowed some of her fear, straightening as she kept her gaze on Ron, mentally encouraging herself. (Okay, you can do this... look at Ron... walk... breathing is good... walking... looking at Ron...)
She was so focused on her mantra; she was surprised to hear Artimis speaking softly in her mind. (Alexis, you're there.)
Alexis looked around, seeing she was at the end of the aisle. Remus let go of her arm, kissed the top of her forehead and backed away, shaking his head in slight amusement. Ron stepped forward, taking her arm, lending his support as he asked in a concerned whisper. "Lexy? Are... are you okay?"
Alexis swallowed, looking up at him and nodding smally. Ron grinned, looking up at the preacher as Alexis did the same.
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Ron stood up at the end of the aisle, smiling widely and standing tall as he watched as Artimis made her way down the aisle and took her place at the end. He smiled at her, but she had her gaze fixed on the doors where Alexis was to walk out of. In slight confusion, Ron looked to them as Remus led Alexis out.
The first sight of her made him catch his breath in surprise, she was that beautiful to him. He knew this image would never leave him. As she hesitantly walked towards him though, Ron noticed the look of panic and near fear on her features under the veil. He frowned a bit, wondering why she seemed so nervous. Well, he himself had been a little nervous, but that had all vanished upon seeing her. He watched as her gaze darted from around the crowd to Artimis, also seeing that Artimis seemed to be waging a mental war as she stared hard at Alexis.
Is she alright? ... I hope she doesn't run... anything but that... Ron thought to himself worriedly, as Alexis continued slowly down the aisle. He smirked at her as she met his gaze, hoping to ease her. She seemed to relax somewhat, her gaze locked on his as she walked a tad more surely down the walkway, Ron feeling better as well at her calmness. Then he saw her gaze flicker to Severus, who was seated on the edge of a row of seats, smirking at Alexis.
Ron watched Alexis in alarm as she paused in her walk, seeming to sway a little bit. Oh no... Please don't pass out... keep your eyes on me... come on, keep watching me... Ron mentally encouraged her, watching her with a fixed gaze. Once he saw her eyes widen in surprise at him, and he knew that something was going on between her and Artimis, who had a slightly smug look on her features now.
Alexis continued her walk, finally reaching him, Remus passing her arm to him after kissing her head, and he took it firmly, hoping to lend her any support she needed. She looked up at him as he asked in a whisper. "Lexy? Are... are you okay?"
She nodded, though looking a bit frantic. He shook his head in slight amusement, turning to the preacher as he began the ceremony.
The words the preacher was speaking slowly faded as he looked down at Alexis tenderly, her looking up at him and smiling, finally looking somewhat eased. As Ron looked down upon her, all other words were fully drowned out in the sea of happiness and love he was experiencing. He smiled warmly, grasping her delicate hands tenderly in his own, losing himself in the once unreachable recesses of her soulful emerald eyes.
That day was finally here, that moment was finally taking place. This time, which he never thought would happen, was going on this very instant.
His once silly crush, his secret love, his once unattainable desire... was finally his. She was finally, truly, his.
No, he thought giddily, we are ours.
The words he had been waiting for broke through his reverie, and he listened intently without taking his gaze off Alexis. Now his moment had come to let the world know.
"Ron, your vows. Now repeat after me." The preacher spoke and Ron focused intently on the words he was saying, holding the ring that would join him and Alexis forever in his hand. He repeated those words with so much emotion he felt as if they were pouring out of him.
"I, Ronald Christopher Weasley, take thee, Alexis Catherine Whyte, to be my lawfully wedded wife, to love and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, until death do us part." Ron spoke with nothing but love for the woman standing before him, slipping the ring slowly onto her small finger as she smirked at him in a daze.
He watched as Alexis hesitated in her vows, but then slowly repeated them, slipping a gold band on to his own finger.
"Now, do you Ron, take Alexis to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
Never in his life had Ron put such promise and dedication into these vows he spoke. He was making an oath, one he swore, upon pain of death, which he would never break. He owed it to this woman, the one single woman who had ever given him true happiness and purpose.
In a voice deepened with solid determination, promise, and love, Ron spoke the two simple words that would change his life forever.
"I do."
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Alexis kept her gaze on the preacher, but couldn't comprehend what he was actually saying, her mind going numb as the realization of what she was doing finally sunk into her mind. She was getting married... and to a man she had known since childhood, a man she had never thought she would have more than a friendship with. But now, gazing up into his entrancing blue eyes, she knew she was hopelessly in love, and enjoying every minute of it.
He gazed back into her eyes, an almost drugged look on his features that brought a tender smile to her face. She also knew that he was just as hopelessly head over heels. Gazing into the abyss of his eyes, her nervousness slipped away, knowing that this was where she was supposed to be, and not wanting to be anyplace else in the world at the moment.
She seemed practically hypnotized as he spoke his vows, his deep voice seeping into her mind and sending her reeling with emotion. She just hoped that he took vows as seriously as she herself did. Vows were sacred to her, and she had sworn upon her very life that no vow made by her would ever be broken, these ones definitely being no exception. The preacher began speaking to her and she just looked up at Ron, not hearing him speak in her reverie.
"Alexis, now your vows, you also repeat after me." The preacher told her but she dimly heard the words being spoken, but didn't actually register them as she gazed entrancingly at Ron, who looked down at her expectantly.
Alexis... you're up. Artimis's voice cut into her reverie when Alexis didn't speak.
(Huh?) Alexis asked in distracted confusion, noticing everyone was quiet and watching her once again.
You're suppose to repeat him. Artimis spoke slowly.
(Repeat what? They're staring at me again... I screwed up didn't I...) Alexis thought in a near panic, eyes widening as her nervousness slowly returned.
No no no. It's alright... just repeat after me... Artimis mentally stated, trying to calm Alexis.
(Oh... Ok...) Alexis told her mentally, scared to death.
I, Alexis Catherine... Artimis began and Alexis sighed, thinking in meek confusion.
(But, you're not Alexis...) Alexis whined to Artimis mentally and she heard Artimis snarl behind her.
Just repeat it... I, Alexis Catherine Whyte... Artimis told her forcefully and Alexis nodded her head, speaking softly.
"I, Alexis Catherine Whyte..."
Do take thee, Ronald Christopher Weasley... Artimis continued, speaking slowly in her mind.
"Do take thee, Ronald Christopher Weasley..." Alexis repeated a little louder, the smile on Ron's face making that shimmer of courage come back.
As my lawfully wedded husband, to love and to hold... Artimis growled mentally, snapping Alexis out of her near zoning off again.
"As my lawfully wedded husband, to love and to hold..." Alexis sighed, glad at Artimis's knack for remembering things.
In sickness and in health, for richer or poorer... well, richer in this case... oh wait, don't repeat that last part Artimis slipped, and Alexis had to snicker a bit.
"In sickness and in health, for richer or poorer..." Alexis spoke, biting her lip as she waited for her next line.
Til death do us part... Then you slip that ring in you hand on his finger... Artimis informed her friend and Alexis smiled, thankfully, evaluating the words she was about to say.
Til death do us part... sounds like another life vow to me, one I don't mind too much though... Alexis thought to herself as she looked into Ron's eyes, smiling brightly.
"Til death do us part." She declared and gently slipped the ring on his finger, holding his hand gently. He squeezed her hand, smiling as he looked back up at the preacher. The preacher spoke some words to him and Ron looked back at her, smiling bright.
"I do." He told her and she could feel the love dripping off of it. The sheer force of his words threw her into another daze. She heard the preacher speak and she ignored him for a bit.
Alexis... say I do... damnit... Artimis told her and Alexis shook her head, smiling at Ron.
"I do." She told him and he smiled.
(What now?) Alexis questioned her companion and Artimis snorted behind her.
He kisses you Artimis replied with humor.
(Oh... what, right n-) She thought, but was cut off in surprise as Ron moved her veil away, then leaned in and kissed her, hugging her to him tightly. Alexis smiled and closed her eyes, leaning against him weakly as she kissed him back, every worry, every thought, washing away in the flood of giddiness and love swamping her mind. He pulled away from her, and he had to keep hold of her arms as she swayed giddily. She felt a ringing in her ears, realizing through her haze that it was clapping. She smiled happily up at Ron with shining eyes, and he met her smile with the same warmness.
Ron took her hand gently, and she followed him as they both walked back down the aisle, grinning widely to the point her cheeks hurt. She looked up at Ron, mumbling as they made their way into the Foyer. "The time I agreed to wear this dress has expired. I am getting out of it, and turning it into a pumpkin. Care for pumpkin pie?"
Ron smirked and shook his head. "No honey, I'm fine. Let's just pass up the pie and go enjoy our reception, eat cake, get drunk... you know how it goes."
Alexis laughed and nodded, heading up to the Tower to change on winged feet.
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Artimis watched Alexis and Ron walk down the aisle as man and wife and she smirked, leaning against the gazebo as she realized her feet had swollen, again.
"Sweetheart, are you ok? You looked like you were going to kill Alexis there for a minute." Draco spoke worriedly as he walked toward her, grabbing her arm to steady her.
"Yeah, well, you'd kill someone who made you walk them through their vows too." Artimis replied to him and he smirked at her.
"She was that gone?"
"She was that gone. And she tried to drag me with her." Artimis told him and he chuckled, kissing her briefly. She kissed him back softly and he put his arm around her shoulders as he drew back.
"Why don't we head upstairs? I know you'll wanna change." He told her and she nodded, him walking her up the stairs after everyone else. They went in to their room, Artimis going to her drawers and pulling out her maternity clothes, feeling gross and fat.
"Uh...when I have this kid and get back down to normal, I'm gonna have a bonfire with all my fat pants." She groaned as she dressed and Draco snickered at her, taking of his coat and setting it on their bed. He took her arm after she finished dressing and they exited the room going up to ballroom. Artimis walked over to the low stage and took the microphone, intending on repaying Alexis for her wonderful announcing job. She looked over to Draco, who had already started drinking. She sighed and then was attacked by Molly Weasley.
"Oh dear, how are you feeling? You must be quite along by now. When are you due?" Molly spoke a mile a minute and Artimis backed up in surprise.
"We're fine. I'm due around December 27th." Artimis replied in shock as Arthur walked up.
"Sorry Artimis, she's just so excited and then she saw you were open and decided to bombard you." Arthur spoke as he took Molly's arm, speaking to her sweetly.
"Come on honey, let's go sit." He told her and she followed him, talking a mile minute still with a bright smile. She heard a clamor of feet and then smirked as Hailey rushed forward.
"They're coming." She stated and the whole large ballroom silenced. Artimis sat in wait, like a viper awaiting her prey, all bundled up and coiled, prepared to strike. Alexis was going to have a very well announced wedding reception.