Chapter fifty six.

Much of Ayla's pregnancy passed as a blur. The hospital visits, Flint's involvement, her friends' support, and her parents' unconfirmed but apparent anger all merged into one.

She and Marcus spent most days together. As he put it, neither of them had anything better to do. And Ayla enjoyed herself. At times Marcus was like one of the girls. Someone she could confide in, joke with and mess about in front of. At others he was completely different. Brotherly in a way. Too tactile and comforting to be so in others. As with all her friends she hugged him hello and kissed his cheek goodbye. And he would linger, not so long that anyone really noticed. But Ayla noticed. She'd notice the lack of warmth as he moved away.

They'd sit together in the summer sun, talking and learning. Each morning she'd fly to his home, before the sun was really up. They'd leave the house together, often to buy more things for the baby: toys, clothes. And then return to his home in the late afternoon. They'd both enter through the front door, and she'd leave shortly after dark each night, on his favourite broom.

She found herself looking at him differently too. It was almost real, their pretend love. They'd smile and laugh together and share knowing looks when people commented on her pregnant belly and how happy they looked together. And they were happy. Together.

Apart everything felt different. Her smile didn't feel as genuine. She'd think of things she wanted to say to him. And she'd wonder if he did the same.

The truth was he did. Marcus felt different when Ayla left each night. He thought of new ways to make her smile and laugh. He even enjoyed arguing with her. This happened more often than not. Especially whenever he dared to pay for something for the baby, and then subsequently refused to take her money for it when they got home that night.

And it felt like her home there now. He could sit in his living room and spy countless things that she had left behind. It felt like she belonged there now. That even if he wasn't there, she'd still be. Because she was almost always with him. It was comfortable having her around, to him she felt like home. And he, in turn, wondered if she felt the same.

On their trips out for new baby things, some of which were piled on his spare room, they'd hold hands. Both told themselves that it was all part of the pretence. It felt secure besides, to have the others hand in their own. It felt right. Like home.

And while Ayla convinced herself that this was just her hormones confusing her, Marcus knew otherwise. He remembered the conversation he had with his mother some months back. He was happy. Not content anymore, but happy. And she was too. So what was there left to do, but come right out with it?

"Ayla are you happy?" he asked one night.

"Yeah. Why you asking?" she replied.

"Truly happy? Honest to goodness happy?" he pressed.

"Yeah. Seriously, why?"

"Well it's just something my mum said."

"Which is?" Ayla prompted.

"That you can't be really happy until you know, let someone into your life."

"I guess that's true. What about you? You happy?"

"Yes."

"Good. So we're both happy. But you know what? This chair is killing my back. Deckchairs are not my friends."

Marcus laughed softly as she got up and waddled into the house. It was the end of another day together. Soon she'd be flying off on his best broom and wouldn't be back until the morning. He knew he hadn't said what he had wanted to say. But was now really the time? She had two weeks left of her pregnancy. Soon they wouldn't spend the evenings wrapped in blankets staring up at the stars together. They'd still be friends, and he'd see her regularly, but it wouldn't be enough.

"Well Marc' I'm gonna head off. Thanks for today darling." she said kissing his cheek.

"My pleasure."

He pulled her into a hug. He needed her in his arms right then. He waited for her to pull away, but she didn't. He wanted to talk, the words were lost however. Ayla's breath was warming his chest, her forehead rested lightly on his chin.

"Ayla?"

"Sorry. It was a nice hug, I didn't want it to stop."

"Me neither. Look when I said I was happy earlier, you know it was because of you right?"

"I guess."

He leant down and brushed his lips against hers.

"And that's ok?" he asked.

"What's ok? The kiss or that I make you happy?"

"Both."

"I guess."

"What makes you happy? I mean now."

"I don't know. You. Is that ok?" she asked hesitantly.

"More than ok. So if I kissed you again, would that be ok?"

"Yeah."

And so he did.

Sarah enjoyed teasing Ayla mercilessly. Now that Ayla was going through the same thing she had. Sarah lost no opportunity to drag Ayla out.

"How about a Quidditch game?" she asked.

"What? You hate Quidditch!"

"Hey pay back's a bitch, they just never said who to."

"This is because I dragged you to the Puddlemere game right?"

"Yup."

"Seems so long ago now."

"Well over nine months anyway. So a while ago, yes. I'm only kidding about the game."

"Marcus was there that day."

"I remember. He offered to help, and Wood offered to carry me. He's a good sort Marcus. I never thought I'd say it. But he is."

"Yeah he is." Ayla said softly.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. It just amazes me how much has changed this year. How much I've changed."

"Yeah, you dated a Quidditch player, got knocked up, and now you're dating an ex-Quidditch player whose hobbies include knitting."

"Who said I was dating Marcus?"

"It's written all over your face. I'm your best friend." Sarah said smiling. "And, what's better, I approve."

"Oh yeah?"

"Definitely. He's good for you, and to you. I never thought I'd say that about a goddamn Quidditch player mind."

"Ex-Quidditch player."

"He's not going back to it then?"

"Not any time soon. Says he wants a break, a normal life."

"Does he know nothing's ever normal when it comes to you?"

"Yeah, he reckons he can handle it though."

"Good."

Ayla went into labour that afternoon, a day early. Marcus was there, as were Kris and Sarah. All three rushed her to Saint Mungo's. Sarah was the only one who was calm. Of course, she knew what was going to happen.

"Don't worry hon'. It's not that bad, it doesn't really hurt. You'll be fine I promise." she said soothingly.

"Where's the Healer? We've been here ages! Don't they know she'd having a baby? What if they get here too late?"

"Calm down Flint! Magical births are fast, but they're not that fast! The Healer's on her way. Just sit down and calm down, before I make you." Sarah said warningly.

"Yeah, Ayla's the one giving birth. Not you." Kris added.

Once more Healer Wilks unhurriedly entered the room. Full of "deary's" and flapping hand movements.

"I have to insist. Only family in the birthing room dears." she said not long after.

"Marcus don't leave!" Ayla screamed.

"What am I gonna do? I'm having a heart attack here as it is!"

"Just hold my hand. Please."

And he did. Marcus held her hand and felt the panic leave him. This was pretty much where it all started. And now, well, this really was the beginning of something big.


I know the chapter was a bit bitty (can't think of a better word!) and there's one hell of a big jump. The reason for this is I couldn't honestly think of anymore ways to torture Ayla for the rest of her pregnancy, and more importantly - I didnt have the heart to do it.

Sorry for the long wait in posts lately. I feel I have to explain, my nan's been in hospital. It's nearly two months now, she's had a major operation but it looks like she'll be home soon. So that's good news because I pretty much had a breakdown at the thought of her dying.

Looks like this will be done soon too. One more chapter. And boy is it a big one! Oh and please don't shout at me for not revealing the sex of the baby. And Oliver will (finally) make an appearance. So I hope everyone's happy.