Disclaimer: I claim nothing.
AN: Thanks to all those who are sticking with me through this new story. I must confess that my experience with babies is limited to nieces and nephews. So if I get it wrong, someone let me know so I can fix it.
Chapter 3 Babies' Day Out
Before I was a Mom…
I made and ate hot meals.
I had unstained clothing.
I had quiet conversations on the phone.
Before I was a Mom…
I slept as late as I wanted.
And never worried about how late I got into bed.
I brushed my hair and my teeth every day.
Before I was a Mom…
I cleaned my house each day.
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to lullabies.
Before I was a Mom…
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunisations.
Before I was Mom…
I had never been puked on,
Pooped on,
Spat on,
Chewed on,
Peed on,
Or pinched by tiny fingers.
Before I was a Mom…
I had complete control of my mind,
My thoughts.
My body,
And my time.
I slept all night.
Before I was a Mom…
I never held down a screaming child,
So that doctors could do tests,
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night
Watching a baby sleep.
Before I was a Mom…
I never held a sleeping baby just because.
I didn't want to put it down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces.
When I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.
Before I was a Mom…
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small
Could make me feel so important.
Before I was a Mom…
I had never risen in the middle of the night .
Every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
The joy,
The love,
The heartache,
The wonderment,
Or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so
Much before I was a Mom!
- Author unknown -
Amber and Remus readily agreed to watch the twins for Alexis and Snape so they could attend the Quidditch World Cup. Amber still hadn't told Remus that she was expecting his child. She was nervous about what his reaction was going to be.
Alexis and Snape had brought the babies over with enough equipment to supply a nursery school: a portable crib, carriers, playpen, diapers, powder, toys, blankets, a portable changing station, a baby bathtub, enough clothes for what looked like a month instead of just overnight, and bottles of breast milk stored in a special container that kept it fresh and at the correct temperature. Amber stared at the bottles, "How many babies were you expecting to feed?"
"I wanted to make sure you wouldn't run out," Alexis flushed, "Just call me bossy the milk cow."
Alexis was also leaving Star with Amber and Remus. If they needed her, Star would be able to find her. She had wanted to leave Aniya as well, not that she didn't trust Remus and Amber, but this was the first time she had ever left her babies. But Aniya was acting strange and Snape had left her with Hagrid to see if he could figure out what might be ailing her.
Amber and Remus had finally had to push Alexis and Snape out the door and shut it in their faces. Amber turned around and leaned back against the closed door laughing, she could still hear Alexis shouting instructions as Snape pulled her into the carriage.
Remus was trying to set up the portable crib. It had looked so easy when Snape had demonstrated how to do it. Remus knew that Snape hadn't left it set up on purpose. Although Snape had said he was taking it down so that Remus would know how to break it down if he needed to do so. 'Bullocks,' Remus thought, 'Snape did it just to aggravate me and make me feel inferior. I'll show that annoying prat'
"Remus had you got the crib set up?" Amber asked.
"Not yet, SHI…SUGAR," Remus quickly changed what he was going to say, "Sugar, sugar, sugar."
"Remus stop yelling you are going to scare the twins," Amber scolded as she soothed the already quiet boys.
Remus stuck his knuckles in his mouth and sucked the sting out of where he had skinned them on the crib. "How much longer Remus?" Amber looked over at him impatiently.
Remus slowly took his knuckles out of his mouth, waiting for his healer lover to notice and come tend his small injury. Instead she just stared at him and pointedly looked from him to the still disassembled crib, "Well?"
"Really Remus, you would think that an intelligent man like you could put together a simple portable baby crib," Amber gave him a cross look before getting up and going over to him. "Here let me see it?"
Remus held out his hand waiting for her to perform a healing charm on his still smarting knuckles. Amber ignored his hand and knelt down beside the crib. "This doesn't look too hard," she declared.
Remus stepped back to watch the show.
Thirty minutes later, Amber had taught Remus some new curse words. Suddenly she stood up and kicked the offending piece of furniture. Hopping around holding her toes, because she had forgotten she had taken off her shoes, she watched in disbelief as the crib suddenly began assembling itself.
"I hope you remember where you kicked the bloody thing," Remus said from where he was holding Nathair and Aleser on the couch, "Yes Auntie Amber is a funny lady. Watch her dance for you pumpkin."
Amber was still rubbing her soar toes and she shot Remus a filthy look. Remus responded with a cheeky grin. Amber looked over at the innocent appearing crib and took a cautious step closer. It was perfectly assembled and the mattress was even made up with an adorable sheet and blanket set. A mobile hovered over the crib with dancing unicorns.
Suddenly Remus looked down at Nathair and wrinkled his nose in distaste. Nathair just gurgled happily at him. With his heightened sense of smell, Remus was feeling a little green at the odor coming from his godson, "Amber I think Nathair needs a new nappy."
"Just do the diaper charm on him," she said.
"I don't know the diaper charm," he replied trying to breath through his mouth to minimize the smell. Suddenly the stench was doubled as Aleser decided that his brother wasn't to be allowed to out doo (pun intended) him. Remus was now in series distress, "Amber you have to help me both of them need new diapers."
"I don't know the diaper charm," Amber looked at Remus in dawning horror. They were going to have to do it the old fashioned way.
Amber came and took Aleser from Remus, and holding him gingerly at arms length went over to the changing table and kicked it with her foot. It immediately assembled itself while she hobbled in circles biting her lip to keep from saying the words that trembled on her tongue. You would think she would have remembered to put her shoes on before kicking another piece of furniture.
Placing the baby at the center of the table, she took out her wand and placed a bubble head charm on herself. At Remus squawk, she turned and did the same for him. Remembering that Alexis had told her the changing table was magically spelled so the baby could not fall, roll or wiggle off of it, Amber turned to the diaper bag. 'How hard can this be? I am a trained Healer and Remus is a full Professor. Muggles do it all the time. This should be a piece of cake,' she thought.
An hour later Amber and Remus were standing in the shower trying to wash all the poop off. When Amber had gotten it in her hair, Remus had said enough and sent an Owl to Molly Weasley begging for help. She had apparated and immediately taken over swishing and flicking the babies into a newborn bath that would protect the umbilical cord but allow her to thoroughly clean them. When Remus and Amber returned to the living room, Molly was feeding and rocking Nathair who was smelling like the sweet baby he was instead of a newly fertilized corn field. Amber was looking vaguely disappointed as she had wanted to feed the babies. Molly smiled over at her, "Aleser still needs his lunch."
Brightening, Amber lifted Aleser from the crib and grabbed a bottle. Remus transfigured one of the dining room chairs into a rocking chair for her. Settling down, she offered Aleser the bottle. He gave her a suspicious look as though he knew she didn't have a clue as to what she was doing and refused it. Molly looked over and saw what was going on, "Just rub the nipple against his mouth, as soon as he tastes his mum, he will start to nurse."
Amber did as instructed and a dribble of milk came out. Aleser opened his mouth at that to cry but found that even though it didn't look or sound like his mum, it did taste like her and he was hungry so he began to suckle. Amber grinned up at Remus who was watching her with a strange look in his eyes.
Remus was wishing that Amber was holding their child. She looked so beautiful with a baby in her arms. But what could he offer a woman that would make up for having to deal with the stigma of being married to a werewolf. Only a lifemate would be willing to go through everything involved with joining with a werewolf. Remus sighed, and lifemates were few and far between.
Molly left after teaching them the diaper charm and making sure they didn't have any other questions about how to take care of the babies. Remus and Amber were sitting snuggled on the couch watching the boys sleep. They were exhausted, who knew taking care of two small babies was such hard work.
"Have you ever thought about having children?" Amber asked as she played with his fingers.
"Yes, but it is difficult for lycanthropes," he sighed.
"I don't understand. That isn't something they covered in my healer training," Amber was puzzled.
"Well, werewolves mate for life. And the only people they would be able to have children with are their lifemates," Remus explained as he rested his head on her hair, "When a werewolf finds his lifemate he knows that is the one person who is strong enough and capable enough to deal with," he sighed heavily, "everything involved with being with a werewolf. Not many lycanthropes get married."
"So if I were to get pregnant you would know that I was your lifemate?" Amber asked cautiously.
Remus was silent for a long moment as he fought to control the emotions her words evoked, "If you were to get pregnant I would have you married so fast you wouldn't know what hit you. But since you are using a contraceptive potion…you are using a contraceptive potion?"
"Yes, so if I were to get pregnant while using a contraceptive potion what would that mean?"
Remus pulled back to look at her, "Why all the questions?"
She blushed and looked at her hands, "I didn't mean for it to happen. I was using a potion," she trailed off still not looking at him.
Remus felt a dawning hope, "Do you mean?"
"How soon do you think we can get Dumbledore to perform the joining ceremony?"
Remus let out a whoop that sounding remarkably like a howl and pulled her into his arms, "When?"
"When what?"
"When will we be parents?"
"February," she whispered against his neck.
Remus was treating her as if she were made of spun glass. Amber decided to enjoy it for a while. That was until bedtime, and then it stopped being fun.
They were snuggled up together in her queen sized bed; the babies were in the small guest room right next to the master bedroom. The doors to both rooms were open and Amber had set up the Nanny Goat so that they would be sure to hear the babies if they cried.
The relief from the tension of having a secret from Remus had left Amber decidedly in the mood. She began trailing her fingers down his stomach heading. Remus grabbed her hand and pulled it back up to his chest and held it there. Amber shifted and began to press kisses on his shoulder. She could hear his breathing hitch and feel him tense up; she grinned and began tasting his skin with tiny tickling laps.
"Amber what do you think you're doing?" Remus whispered.
At that Amber sat up and stared at him, "If you have to ask I am doing something very wrong."
"I know what you are doing, but Amber the babies are right in the other room," Remus started to blush, "and you're expecting."
"Yes I am…I'm expecting to get lucky tonight," she leaned in and started kissing his neck, pausing between kisses, "The babies are asleep and even if they weren't they are in the other room and too young to know or care about what we are doing. For your edification, pregnant women tend to get very horny. Has something to do with all the hormones their bodies are subjected to," she had moved from kissing his neck to his lips, "It is very bad for the baby if the mother's sexual tension isn't released."
"Really? You're making that up," Remus accused.
"I am a trained healer, so I think I know what I am talking about," Amber caught him with his mouth open and inserted her tongue inside tasting him. He groaned and shifted her so that she was laying full length on him. His hands moved down to her bottom and began to squeeze her arse rubbing her against his erection.
Breaking the kiss briefly, "Well who I am I to go ask a healers orders," and he took her mouth in a kiss that left them both breathless. His hands began inching up her back, stroking and massaging as they went. When they reached her shoulders, her gown was bunched up and one quick move had it tossed aside. Amber was now sitting up straddling his body. Remus filled his hands with her breasts stopping when she winced, "They are tender," she explained.
When he went to release them, she placed her hands over his, "Just not as firm," she moaned in pleasure as he gently massaged her. Pulling her close, he flicked a nipple with his tongue waiting to hear her reaction, "That feels good."
While he was paying special attention to her nipples, she was rubbing against him; the delicious friction of his erection against her core was making her wet and ready. He slipped a hand down between them and began to rub her clitoris through the wet fabric causing her to buck against his hand.
She pushed her knickers out of the way and released him from his boxers. Not even pausing to remove the rest of their clothes she lowered herself onto him slowly, hissing at the intense feeling of pleasure that flooded her body at the fullness.
Remus closed his eyes as the warm, velvety wetness surrounded him. When she tightened around him, he groaned in pleasure. As she began to ride him, his hands moved to her hips to help hold her steady. His hips began to thrust up to meet hers. Remus was getting closer and closer to his release as he watched the pleasure washing over Amber's face. He wanted them to cum together and knew that he didn't have long. Reaching once again between their bodies, he began to stroke her in time with their thrusts, she managed to open her eyes to slits and smile at him. When he felt the waves of her orgasm take her he released all control and drove into her as deeply as he could and fell over the edge into an ocean of pleasure.
Amber braced her arms on either side of Remus' head and blinked trying to bring the world back into focus. His hands were making lazy circles on her back and his eyes had a sleepy sated look. He pulled her down on top of him so that her head was resting on his chest. Reaching for the sheet, he arranged it over both of them before falling asleep.
At two a.m. the Nanny Goat bell began ringing and the babies' cries could be heard coming from the bedside table and from the spare bedroom. Amber jumped up and hit Remus in the chin before she realized that she had fallen asleep on top of him. Rolling off she pulled on a robe while Remus fixed his boxers and headed downstairs to get two bottles.
Amber proudly performed the diaper charm on both boys. She heard a crash from downstairs followed by some colorful language. Remus hopped into view holding two bottles. At her look, "I tripped over the changing table and kicked it and now it is disassembled," he hobbled up the stairs.
She just nodded at him and took one of the bottles. Going back into the temporary nursery she picked up Nathair and began to feed him. Remus looked from her to the other crying baby to the bottle in his hand, "Go ahead daddy to be, you might as well start practicing."
Remus limped over to the crib and looked down at the squalling infant. Lifting him from the crib he joined Amber on the bed. Watching what she was doing, he began to try to imitate her, remembering what Molly had said earlier, he started to rub the nipple on Aleser's mouth only to start when he lunged at it and began to hungrily feed. When the twins had finished their bottles, Amber summoned two spit clothes and they burped the babies. Settling them back into their crib, Remus and Amber grinned at each other in satisfaction at a job well done before crawling back into bed.
At six, the twins woke them for their breakfast. Remus again stumbled downstairs to get two bottles. Amber smirked as she heard a thump, a yelp and them some more thumps as if someone was hopping around. Remus limped into the room carrying two new bottles, "The changing table is back up," he muttered before picking up Aleser.
Amber just took Nathair from the crib and settled down to feed him, hiding her grin in his thatch of jet black hair. After burping the babies, Remus and Amber decided to go for it and give them bathes. Molly had shown them how to do a newborn bath charm so that the umbilical cord would not get wet.
Amber asked Remus to take Nathair's diaper off while she got the bath ready. She was testing the water like Molly showed her when she heard an, "Oh shi…sugar," come from behind her. Turning she saw a very wet Remus holding the diaper closed.
"What happened?"
"He pissed on me!" Remus exclaimed, trying to wipe his face off and hold the diaper in place at the same time.
Amber giggled. "You think it's funny? Well you are the one who is going to have to put him in the water and you can't keep a diaper over him while he's in the water."
Amber just grinned and came over and took the baby from Remus. Placing him in the tub, she put a washcloth over his lap and grinned back at Remus.
"I hope we have a daughter," she heard him mutter.
"You think little girls, won't urinate on you?"
"Oh I'm sure all babies do, it's just little girls can't aim as well as little boys," Remus smirked.
Amber nodded in agreement and quickly finished bathing Nathair. Remus had a towel ready and wrapped him in it to pat him dry, being careful to keep the towel over certain areas.
Amber refilled the bath for Aleser and with a washcloth handy, removed his diaper and slipped him into the bath. Keep a firm grip on the slippery infant; she shot a quick look at Remus to see how he was doing. Turning back to Aleser she was just in time to see a stream arch out of the tub and down the front of her shirt. Looking for the washcloth, she saw that it had slipped to one side, perfectly positioning his equipment to hose her down, "I hope we have a daughter too," she muttered.
It was nine when Alexis and Snape came to pick up their children. The front door was opened by a very frazzled looking Remus Lupin. He was wearing a pair of boxers, a trace of spit up down his back, and a harried look.
"Lupin, put on some clothes man," Snape sneered while stepping in front of Alexis to shield her from the sight of the half naked man. Alexis was trying to peek around her husband, she was married not dead, and could appreciate the sight of a well built male.
"What?" looking down at himself, Remus blushed seven shades of red before running back up the stairs, "Come in."
Amber came out of the kitchen with her hair confined in a scraggly pony tail and wearing a dressing gown and what looked to be most of a baby bottle of milk, "Damn faulty tops," noticing Alexis and Snape she gave them a weak smile, "Hullo, did you have a nice time at the match?"
Alexis and Snape just stared at her.
"Why don't I just run upstairs and fetch the babies?" before Alexis and Snape could respond, Amber had rushed up the stairs.
Exchanging glances, Alexis and Snape stepped into the previously immaculate house. The portable changing table was half way assembled and listing drunkenly to one side. The playpen was full of baby clothes and toys. There were empty baby bottles spread from one end of the room to the other. Following her nose, Alexis found a pile of dirty diapers. Her eyes widened, "Did you make sure they knew how to do the diaper charm?"
A slow smirk spread across Snape's face, "No, did you?"
Alexis cringed but couldn't help but chuckle, "Nope," a quick wave of her wand had the smelly pile gone. Another wave and an air freshening charm removed the lingering odor. Looking around the mess that was now Amber's living room, "I don't believe we have every properly thanked Poppy for all of the parenting lessons she gave us," Alexis said.
"Indeed," Snape responded surveying the room, "A diamond bracelet?"
"At the very least," Alexis agreed.
Snape began flicking his wand and began packing up the baby paraphernalia. The thumping of feet on stairs heralded the arrival of Remus and Amber carrying Aleser and Nathair. Remus had managed to find some pants, but that was all. Alexis gave Amber a wink when she was caught looking at Remus' chest, she mouthed, "Very nice."
Amber grinned and mouthed back, "I know."
Snape had missed the byplay being too busy taking Nathair from Remus. A quick scan of the infant showed a clean, well-fed happy baby. Snape gave Remus a nod before moving to place Nathair in his carrier. Moving over to Aleser he gave him the same scan before nodding to Amber and settling Aleser in his carrier.
Alexis began to help Amber clean and straighten the house while Snape filled them in on what had occurred after the game. Remus and Amber were both disturbed to hear that the dark mark and been seen in the sky once more.
Remus stepped outside to get the morning paper. The four adults gathered around him to read what the paper had to tell them. "Rubbish," Snape declared angrily, "Alexis, I think I might let you buy The Dailey Prophet after all. Then you can turn it into a children's quarterly."
Remus looked at Snape carefully, "Severus, I was wondering?"
"Yes Lupin?" Snape replied coolly.
"Amber and I are getting married and I was wondering if you would stand up for me?" Remus had braced himself for rejection.
Snape gave him a long considering look and then sighed as if much put upon, "Very well. I suppose it is my obligation since you did agree to be Nathair's godfather."
Remus relaxed knowing that this was the best he could hope for from Snape.
Alexis came running out of the kitchen and launched herself at Remus, much to Snape's displeasure since he still hadn't managed to find a shirt. Giving him a smacking kiss on the cheek, "Congratulations! Severus, did Remus tell you?"
Snape interrupted, "Yes, they are getting married and Lupin seems to feel that I owe him the courtesy of agreeing to stand up for him during the ceremony," an evil smirk played around Snape's lips, "and a bachelor party."
Remus grinned at Snape, "As long as you don't put Hagrid in charge of the entertainment or refreshments."
Amber came up and slid into Remus' embrace, "You are also going to be Uncle Severus," she teased.
"What?"
"I'm pregnant. Since I am your boys' aunt by friendship, I expect you to be my child's uncle by friendship."
Snape had to clear his throat, although his face still remained unreadable, "Of course. Alexis, it is really time that we depart."
Alexis looked at her watch, "Yes, if we hurry we can get home and settled before it is time for the boys' lunch. Thank both again for watching them," Alexis hugged Amber and before she could hug Remus, Snape had stuck his hand out for Remus to shake.
"Yes, thank you," Snape added stiffly.
"Come up to the castle soon and we can discuss your wedding," Alexis told Amber.
Snape was levitating all of their luggage while Amber and Alexis made sure the babies were comfortable and secure in their carriers.
After waving them off, Remus and Amber shut the door and leaned against each other. Remus kissed Amber's hair and said, "Promise me that we will not have twins."
AN: I am going to visit my family for the Easter Holiday. That is why you get two chapters. I won't be able to work on this again until 3/28/05. Since I usually post fairly often...hope you can forgive me for this delay. "X" and "O" to all my readers and reviewers.