I finally, finally, arrive home from work after the longest day we've had in months. Why everything had to go wrong today, I'll never know. Still, it'll be nice to collapse onto my couch and just rest for a while.
I push open the front door to a silent, empty house. I don't think I'll ever get used to it being so quiet here. Every time Bella goes off on an assignment, it's like this, and I never really know when she's going to get back. Estimates are just that - estimates. And they're rarely ever right. She was supposed to be home last week. Then I got an update that she won't be home for another month. I don't really mind her being gone for long stretches. I trust her to come back to me.
I immediately head to the bedroom, then the enormous bath Bella insisted on, planning on taking a bath despite my earlier plans of collapsing. Rest is usually better after.
It's hard to stop my mind wandering when I'm just lounging in the bath. Especially after the day I've had, it's hard to focus on anything at all. So it's not really a surprise when I find myself thinking about Bella. I don't think I'll ever forget her walking into my office on my first day, in a fury about her probationary status being extended.
Then she just… froze. When she realized I wasn't the person she was mad at. I've never managed to get that kind of reaction out of her again. I've tried dozens of different things, but apart from that first time she has remained completely unflappable. It would be frustrating if it wasn't so fun to try and achieve again.
Eventually, I have to get out of the bath. I have no desire to fall asleep in there and drown. I throw on something I won't mind wearing to sleep - one of Bella's t-shirts (that she definitely doesn't own, if anyone asks) and some shorts - and head to the kitchen to at least eat something for the day.
When I pass through the living room, I'm greeted by the loudest shout of "Surprise!" that I've ever heard. It seems like everyone I know is standing in my living room, streamers and candles and an enormous cake and all. I can't help but laugh - I really should've seen this coming, but they've gotten much sneakier since Draco was integrated into our group.
"Hello, everyone. Thank you all!" It helps, a bit, with the empty house. It still isn't quite the same, but it helps.
After several hours, the party has died down enough that it's just Harry, Ginny, Ron, and I. We're finishing off our drinks before they all Floo to their respective homes. Harry's halfway through a bad joke when he jolts and reaches for his phone.
As he reads whatever message he just received, a grin spreads across his face. Then he tries to act nonchalant as he puts his phone away.
After another half hour (and another round of drinks), they're all heading to the fireplace to head home, and I'm… maybe a little tipsy.
Once everyone is safely home, I let my exhaustion take hold fully and start to drag myself back to the bedroom to finally collapse into blissful sleep. Unfortunately, though, I'm interrupted by a knock on the front door. I swallow down my frustration - and the urge to ignore it. If it's someone selling a product, I'll just shut the door in their face. If it's not, then I'll handle it as quickly as possible.
I pull open the door after suppressing a yawn. "Yes?"
"Hello, dear." Before I even really have time to process it, I'm swept into a ridiculously tight hug. "I missed you." She presses a kiss into my temple. "So much." Another to my cheek. "Happy birthday." And finally, a kiss that steals my breath with its tenderness.
"I thought you weren't coming home for another month?"
"Potter pulled some strings. Said you needed me more than they did." Bella smiles and finally sets me down, pulling her luggage in behind her. "I'm just sorry I missed the party."
"Don't be. Now I get to have you all to myself."