In many respects Ayla and Marcus's families were very similar. They held the same views on marriage and children being born out of wedlock. They were both big, loud and opinionated. And they were both pure blood. Both Ayla's and Marcus's mothers wanted to see their respective offspring find a partner and settle down. It was just that Marcus's mother was more vocal about the subject.
"Why are you so determined to disappoint me Marcus?"
"What did I do now?" Marcus asked wearily.
"Getting rejected from the English National Squad and not even bringing home a nice young woman that you intend to marry to cheer me up."
"Oh this again."
"Yes this again! Marcus you aren't getting any younger and it's clear that you have your father's temperament. You'll be a difficult man to be with. You need to find someone to love you. Before you turn into an intolerable old man."
"I think I've got a way to go before that happens mother."
"That's what you think, but I know better. Besides I want to enjoy my grandchildren while I'm still young enough to do so. So get a move on!"
"Aye aye Cap'n" Marcus said, mock saluting his mother before heading for the door.
"And just where do you think you're going? I'm not done nagging you yet!"
"I'm off to see a woman about a baby."
"Oh Marcus! You do listen after all!"
Marcus apparated back to his modest home to pick up a parcel. He thought briefly about using the floo network, before realising how rude it might seem and decided to walk instead. She'd been on his mind a lot lately. It was more concern than anything he told himself. She was going through all this alone. He'd seen someone try that before, it hadn't ended well. He wanted her life to work out better, history wouldn't be repeating itself if he could help it.
He knocked the door, hoping she would be in and that he could talk to her in private, without her barmy roommate interrupting.
"Who is it?" she called.
"It's Marcus, can I come in?"
He heard the locks click and draw back, she poked her head around the door.
"Sorry I'm still a little jumpy when I'm on my own."
"That's understandable. How're you feeling?"
"Ugh sick. And bored. The Healer at Saint Mungo's gave me a potion to alleviate morning sickness. But it tastes and smells so bad I feel worse."
"That sucks."
"Yup, so what can I do for you? Please say that it's something terribly important and time consuming because I'm beginning to climb the walls."
Marcus chuckled "Actually I've got something for you."
"For me?"
"Well the baby, but yeah."
He handed her the box and grinned as she tore into it, her face lighting up when she saw the contents. She moved from the door and headed for the kitchen table, to better examine his gift.
"Oh wow! Where did you get these? They're beautiful"
"I uh, made them."
He flushed quickly as she held up the small, light green baby bootie on her pinkie.
"Really? Wow you should give up Quidditch and open a shop. These are lovely."
"Well I thought you'd be needing some things sooner or later. And they're all different colours, so they're good for a boy or a girl."
"You really didn't have to do this. I mean thank you and everything, I just…this is really nice of you."
"Yeah well you're on your own, and you need all the help and friends you can get trust me."
"What do you mean?"
"Well it's hard, looking after a baby on your own. You need all the support you can get."
"I'm sorry but how would you know? When has this ever happened to you?"
"It hasn't. But it did to my cousin, you remember I mentioned her the other week? She was in a similar position as you."
"What, Wood knocked her up as well?"
"Not Wood no. But the guy was just as useless. I guess I should tell you the whole story, so you understand. He left my cousin with nothing. Threw her out on the street and told her if she ever breathed a word that he was the father, he'd slit her throat."
"Not quite the same situation though is it? Oliver hasn't told me he'll kill me."
"Yet. Tell him you're tell the press he's the father and see how he reacts. He flipped when you went to see him the first time didn't he?"
"Yeah but he's not like that. He wouldn't…"
"If you say so."
"What really happened to your cousin? And the baby?"
"She tried to go back to him. He beat her black and blue, she lost the baby and then killed herself."
"That's terrible."
"Yeah well it's not going to happen to you 'cos' you don't want to go back to Wood. Besides you've got your friends and me. We'll look after you."
"Wow, I thought I had it rough. I mean the whole thing is messed up. With Kate and Adam and the whole lot. But it's not as bad as it could be I guess."
"And it won't get that bad either. Do you think they'll do anything though? To keep you quiet."
"I dunno really. Maybe."
"Then it's not really safe for you to be alone in this house. When you're gonna be alone you should come over mine. They won't be able to find you, you'll be safe. And you can bring Hercules."
"Who's Hercules?"
"The kneazle."
"Her name is Jynx."
"No, I think you'll find his name is Hercules."
"Are you trying to tell me that I don't know whether my own pet's a boy or a girl?"
"Yes. He's quite clearly a boy."
"No she isn't."
"He is. So do you promise that whenever you're alone you'll come to mine?"
"She's not. And why exactly do I have to promise?"
"Cos' you're one of those annoying stubborn women who thinks she can do everything on her own. So promise."
"Fine I promise. You're just as stubborn you know."
"I am not!"
"Yes you are."
Marcus got up and headed for the fireplace.
"Just to prove I'm not I'm going to leave now. Don't forget you're promise. Twenty Aussie Alley. And he's a boy!"
For all the great new people reviewing and asking for more posts because they're bored! I would have posted sooner but I had to go play helpful shop assisstant, I didn't want to but I need the money unfortunately. Anyway Aussie Alley isn't actually a real place it's a nickname my gran has for this street up in London, apparently when she lived up there the whole street was inhabited by Australians. I just thought it sounded cool haha.
