Chapter 38

Dominique sat the end of the bed, legs crossed, facing her tired sister. Victoire wanted Dom to stay with her after everyone had left, which surprised Dom herself. Since Dom had come home to help her sister with preparing for the baby, the two sisters had become unexpectedly closer; similar to what they had been when they were younger, but of course never quite the same. Teddy had gone on his wife's request to his grandmothers for the night so he could bring her back in the morning. Dominique assured Teddy that she would make sure Victoire was alright. Both relished the privacy, and with Victoire refusing to sleep they stayed up and talked. Funnily enough they both still had a few things in common. However, Dom couldn't stop thinking about what was in her future.

"I am really proud of you, Vic," Dominique revealed nervously to her sister. "I don't know if I could ever do what you just did."

"Well, you will someday, right?" Victoire said as she looked up at her sister through tired eyes with an encouraging smile. "I mean, you and Jacob have been serious for a while. Anything progressing there?"

Dom was so grateful for Victoire not referring to Jacob as 'that guy' like her parents did, and that's when she knew she should have told her sister first and everything would have been fine. Even though Victoire still wouldn't let Dom ever live down arriving late to her wedding because of Jacob, she could still see that her sister was happy with him. Dominique bit her lip still trying to hold back the answer, but knowing that she really didn't want to keep it from her sister now.

"Yes," Dom finally answered, failing to hold back a beaming smile. Victoire's eyes widened but she too was smiling as Dom pulled the thin, long chain, which hung around her neck and below her blouse, over her head and off, revealing a diamond ring threaded through the end of the chain. Dom slid the ring on the correct finger, wordlessly informing Victoire of her engagement.

"Oh my gosh," Victoire exclaimed excitedly before pulling her sister into a hug. Dom couldn't stop the smile that spread across her face. "I am so happy for you," Victoire said over Dominique's shoulder. "When did he ask? You have been staying with Teddy and I for a while," she asked pulling back from the embrace, but her grin never faltering.

"Oh well, do remember a couple of weeks ago," Dominique started, nervously not looking Victoire in the eye. "When you and Teddy stayed with Mrs Tonks for the weekend?"

"Yeah," Victoire replied in a slightly suspicious tone.

"Well, Jacob was in town and we had a little sleepover," Dominique recalled with a cheeky smile and pretty blush, but still not meeting her sister's eyes.

"By the looks of that blush rising in your cheeks, sleeping was the last thing that went on in my house that weekend," Victoire said with mock-anger, before giggling as her sister's blush reddened. "Have you told anyone else? I am guessing that Mum and Dad don't know," Victoire asked after a moment.

"No, are you mad? Of course they don't know," Dominique admitted. "Only Scorpius and Rose know." Victoire nodded in understanding, knowing that Dom and her parents, namely her mother, hadn't had a sharing and non-judgement relationship in a long time. However, she couldn't help but feel slightly hurt knowing that Dom had told two other people before her own sister. Victoire knew that Scorpius and Dom had always been good friends and seeing as he wasn't really around she probably felt it was easier to tell him things, but what hurt Victoire was that Rose knew first. Victoire couldn't stop the small jealously that bubbled within her, she was only human. After Rose had spent six months living with Dominique and Jacob in France about a year ago, the two had become much closer and to her knowledge kept in close contact since. Victoire had only realised how much closer when Dom had come to stay with her. However, Victoire quickly shot down her jealousy once she reminded herself that they as sisters had also been closer recently and she was happier for it.

Dom, however, was trying to figure out how to tell her sister about her own baby that was growing inside her.

"Vic?"

"Mmm?"

"There's something else too," Dom said. Victoire could hear the anxiousness in her sister's voice and saw her tense up. She reached out and grasped Dom's hand.

"Hey, whatever it is, you can tell me," Victoire said with her best comforting smile as she squeezed Dominique's hand reassuringly.

"Okay, but Rose is the only other person that knows this. Not even Jacob knows yet," Dom explained, stressing the importance of the information she was about to release. Victoire nodded and lightly squeezed her hand again, showing her understanding. "I'm pregnant," Dom said, looking her sister in the eye, trying to decipher her reaction. However, that task became really easy when Victoire started bouncing up and down in her bed clapping her hands.

"Oh, this is amazing and awesome and…Oh, wow…I'm going to be Aunty," she finally managed to get out. Dom was laughing at her older sister's girly reaction.

"Yes, yes you are," she said between her cackles. The two sisters embraced once again, hugging each other tightly until Victoire pulled back with a serious expression on her face.

"Wait, how far along are you? Do you have any symptoms?" Victoire fired questions at Dom without giving her a chance to answer.

"Vic, I-"

"Are you going to have the wedding before or after the baby?"

"I don't-"

"Hold on did you say that Jacob doesn't know?" she paused after this question.

"If you would let me get a word in I can explain," Dom said slightly amused. "No, Jacob doesn't know yet, but he will. I was just a little scared before and I didn't want to tell him by Owl or Floo." Dom held up her hand to stop her sister from interrupting as Victoire opened her mouth. "I calculated I was about two months along and yes, I've had sore breast for a while and more recently, I have been feeling some nausea and dizziness. As for the wedding, I don't know considering Jacob doesn't know about the baby and we haven't had much time to really talk about the details as of yet," Dominique finished with a puff of breath. Victoire processed the information before speaking.

"Okay, but didn't I see you with a glass a wine today?" Victoire asked. Dominique paled.

"No," Dom replied. "I have been emptying my wine bottles and refilling them with grape juice, to try and trick myself," she explained after seeing her sister's confused expression, slightly ashamed. Victoire nodded, smirking a little.

"Well, I am guessing that not having a chance to talk about it is not the only reason why you are hesitant about the wedding details," Victoire said, knowingly.

"Yeah, well, you've met our mother."

"This is true, but it's your wedding you can do what you want," Victoire said, through her laughter.

"Obviously, I was wrong. It wasn't you at the dinning table all those years," Dom joked. The two sisters laughed.

"Seriously, what can she really do that will ruin it?" Victoire asked.

"She will make a fuss and sure it won't ruin it completely because I will be marrying Jacob but…it's just all the build up before it. I mean, you wonder why I wasn't involved with yours as much," Dominique said. "I don't know how you made it to the wedding day without pulling your hair out."

"There were some moments, and I know what you mean but how do you expect to avoid it? She is your mother and even if you cut her out of all of the plans, you still will have your fair share of drama," Victoire reasoned. Dominique thought for a moment before explaining.

"It's like this, I deal with dresses and fabric and drama all day for my job. The last thing I want is to feel like my wedding is my job," Dom said. Victoire just smiled, realising more than ever how proud she was of her sister. "I want it to be so simple and small that I don't have to really think about anything other than saying 'I do' to the man I love."

"I think you should," Victoire was so touched by how passionately Dom spoke.

"I've always had this dream that we could take the cousins and a few friends on a camping trip to where Jacob and I met and spend the weekend, get married and spend time with everyone having a good time," Dom shared with a little laugh.

"Okay, but as long as I'm there," Victoire said with a large grin.

"What? You would really support me if I did that?"

"Yes, because it is what will make you happy," Victoire replied simply. "And why would I not want that?" Dom pulled Victoire into another hug, enthusiastically.

"Thank you," Dom whispered.

"You're welcome."

After a minute, Dominique pulled away from her sister.

"You know what else would make me happy?" she said.

"What?" Victoire asked, suspiciously.

"If you would tell me what my beautiful niece's name is?" Dom asked, her voice raised a little. Victoire smiled teasingly, not hiding the fact that she enjoyed knowing the big secret. "Come on, please," Dom practically begged.

"Okay-"

"Yes!" Dom squealed excitedly.

"-but you have to keep it a secret," Victoire finished warningly.

"I will," Dom confirmed with a beaming smile. "Thank you, thank you!" she added hugging her sister again

"Alright, alright," Victoire said, trying to calm her sister down. Once Dom released her sister, she sat back and waited quietly. After a moment, Victoire sighed and said, with a bright smile, "Her name is Samantha Dora Lorraine Lupin."


Sunday Morning, 5:30am, Rose's Bedroom

The buzzing broke through her slumber. She groaned as she reached out, smacking the muggle device on its head, successfully silencing the buzz. Rose snuggled back down into her pillow, muttering to herself. Just as she began to feel herself slipping back into her slumber, a light, soft pressure on her lips awoke her. When Ben pulled back Rose opened her eyes, slightly shocked at his behaviour. She sat up, the blankets pooling around her waist as he sat down beside her on the bed. Like always, he was showered and dressed; however, Rose noticed that for once he didn't look well rested and completely put together; this worried her. Rose reached up and caressed his shaven cheek, asking what's the matter with her eyes. He didn't say anything as he leaned forward and captured her lips in a kiss, the type of kiss they had not shared in weeks. Rose easily reciprocated, sliding her hand around to the back of his neck to pull him closer as he tangled his hand in her hair and did the same. Their lips and tongues moved together in what Ben thought was intense and loving, but Rose could only describe as concentrated and familiar. Rose's mind was reeling. 'Was it normal to feel like this after being with someone a year? Is it a good or bad thing to describe a kiss as concentrated and familiar?' Rose thought. She felt like she was trying too hard, but at the same time she didn't have to because he wouldn't know the difference. Nevertheless, Rose pushed out all of her negative thoughts and focused on the positive. She was happy that Ben was showing some of his sweet self again, she had missed him. He slowed down the kiss, changing it into a soft and sweet lip lock. They rested their foreheads against each other's, both smiling.

"Good morning to you too," Rose whispered into the small space between them. Ben chuckled lightly as he pulled back to look at her. He tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear.

"I'm sorry about how I acted last night," he said, using what Rose called his 'I'm sorry' tone. "It was wrong and insensitive of me to ask that of you; they are your family and it was a special occasion; sometimes what I want has to take the backseat and I understand that." Rose just nodded as she looked down, not meeting his eyes; not because she was ashamed or nervous just because she really didn't want to look at him. He could say that he understood and that he is sorry all he liked, but she felt like he didn't. He was an only child who had been given every opportunity in life; sure he still had to work incredibly hard to seize them which she admired, but it still didn't feel like he understood. She couldn't believe him when he said he understands because he didn't understand her family, no one did, she herself didn't understand them half the time, but she loved them more than anything and she would always want to be there for them. A part of her was still angry with Ben, but the other part couldn't be. He was being honest and sweet and making an effort which was more than she was doing.

"Its okay, Ben," she spared him. "It's just our families work differently and you have to remember, for me, my family will always come first."

"Rose, is it so much to ask that I might be included into your family?" Ben asked, seriously but very nervous all the same. Rose was still, she didn't know what to say; was he really asking what she thought he was?

"Ben, I…um…" she stuttered. "What are you trying to say?"

"I know it's not the right time for us, we are both still settling into our careers, but someday I would like to be considered as part of your family, officially, and you apart of mine," he said with a smile, his eyes boring into hers, judging her reaction. Rose didn't know how to react, her eyes wide in shock. Sure, they had been in a 'serious' relationship for a while and it would be normal if he was talking about a future with her, a future together, but suddenly she felt like the world was caving in around her, as if he sprang it on her.

"Ben, I…I don't know what to-"

"Look, don't say anything, I haven't officially asked yet, but I just want you to know that is where I am heading, that is what I want for us," he cut across her. "However, I need to ask you…" he paused, heightening her interest. "What is the deal with the blonde bloke? Who is he, really? And more importantly, what does he mean to you?" His questions hung in the air as Rose looked for the right words.

"Al told you last night. He is Albus' best mate which eventually led him to being welcomed by the whole family," Rose explained. "He is like another brother to all of my cousins and my brother and like another son to my parents; well kind of, but that's the best I can describe him." Ben was silent and just nodded. "Oh and before he left, he was the family fix it man," Rose added with a small smile.

"Okay, but Rose, what does he mean to you?" Rose took a deep breathe, as she thought of what to say. The truth was she didn't know what he was to her. 'The one that got away? The risk she never took?' she thought, remembering her thoughts when she was reading his letter. None of those descriptions would go down well with Ben, and they still didn't really feel entirely accurate.

"We were in the same year at Hogwarts," Rose replied simply with a shrug. "He's Al's best mate, but we were never really friends back then."

"That is why he never came up before or you never mentioned him?"

"Yes."

"And now?"

"And now…I think I want to be friends with him," Rose said truthfully. "For Al's and Hugo's sake," she clarified.

"How is that for Al's sake?"

"Scorpius is going to be around a lot now, especially since he is staying with Hugo, and it would be awkward and rude if I just ignored him," she explained. Ben just nodded.

"And you're sure I have nothing to worry about?"

"What's there to worry about?" Rose said, looking at him quizzically. Ben just stared at her, searching for more then he was getting but ultimately giving up.

"Okay, then," Ben nodded as he leaned in and gave Rose a chaste kiss. "Have a productive work day, and I will see you after," he said, standing up from the bed and moving towards the door.

"Remember, we have dinner at my parents' tonight," Rose called out to him.

"Yes, I won't forget," Ben called back just before Rose heard the door to her apartment close. Rose sat there, her mind working over time. She didn't know how he could do that, talk about marriage, in a real backward way, as though it was a business deal and then just divert the conversation and up and leave. Suddenly her mind went to Alison. She really wanted to talk to her best friend right now. Rose glanced sideways at the clock before jumping into action. Apologising to her best friend may have to wait; she was already late getting up.


Hello Everyone :) I hope you like this chapter and I hope you like baby Sammi :) And those who are worried, don't be Alison and Rose will make up soon. As well as, we have a bit more Ali and Al drama in the coming chapters.

I would just like to give a shout out to MaraudersMischeif and RosegirlPrincess for there great and inspiring reviews, Thank you :) Also to my beta, peacock33, thank you so much :)

Please review, follow and fav :)