Author's Note: Naturally we all know that I have no ownership whatsoever of Harry Potter and his fellow wizarding mates, or of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Original characters are mine.
Thank you Trickster32 and FireSenshi2 for your reviews : - )
Trickster32 – oh definitely forget the Dark Lord... but then any normal parent would kill to make sure their babies are safe, (I know I would).
FireSenshi2 – Happy to provide (=^_^=)
Chapter Seven
Cocoon
Remus continued to just rub Freya's teeny chest, while Severus carefully doing his best to breathe into her mouth and nose, doing anything to get life back into her. They could still sense her little heart, but it was faint... slowing down... fighting.
"Get her into the water," Remus whispers.
Severus looks at him, confused. Remus couldn't give a real explanation.
"It's a feeling I am getting," he says, still fighting back the tears. "Take Athena, she needs to be with Freya."
With well practiced hands on holding two at once, Severus supported both their daughters, and going in this trust he had for Remus, he moved toward the river.
"What is he doing?" Sirius mutters.
"Is Freya going to be all right?" asks a very worried Leonardo.
Michelangelo and Raphael were holding each other, Donatello with his arm around Leonardo and his other hand one resting on Michelangelo's shoulder.
"I don't know," said James, trying to figure out what he was even witnessing; seeing Severus inch into the river, with the twins.
Remus wasn't too far behind, staying on the edge where water met land. He uses his wand to summon a small flame into his left hand, knowing he wasn't going to burn, placed his wand away, kneels down to take some of the mud into his right. With concentration, he was able to bend and manipulate the two to coincide, until he was able to lower his hands, just resting them on the water, where the evolved fiery earth expanded out over the water, giving and almost lava glow look, seeming to be extra bright against the night.
Severus, by then, was in just enough, so both Freya and Athena were partly emerged. Athena squirmed just for a moment, her eyes opening, looking up her father, let out a soft sound, before relaxing. He knew her gills were being licked and her adaption to the temperature was kicking in. She was also seeming to be 'holding' Freya's hand.
With just as much concentration, like a light bulb of a hunch, Severus closes his eyes, focusing.
The fiery earth created something of a ring around the three, Severus could feel the heat, smell the damp, sense the power, as he was able to slowly start to cause the breeze around him and his girls to circulate around them, dance around the ring of fire and earth, mixing carefully to cause the flames and mud to crawl upward, soaking up the water along with it, giving Severus the ability to focus on the other element he had power over, along with air with simultaneousness.
Blending the four as one, a cocoon of sorts formed, glimmering, sparkling, and surrounding Severus and the twins.
"Freya!" Severus whispers softly to his nearly lifeless child. "Come back to us... we need you. We love you. Please..."
A single droplet, which was with an even mix of earth, fire, air and water, drips down from the very pinnacle of the cocoon and lands ever gently upon Freya's small head, shimmering for a moment, before spreading over the infant, encasing her in this warmth Severus could strongly tell to be safe.
For a moment, Freya's entire body was covered head to toe, then melted away, and as her mouth and nose became cleared, the sound of a tiny breath could be heard, followed by a squeal that rang out, seeming to burst the cocoon that surrounded her, Athena and her father, open and outward, causing emeralds, sapphires, rubies and topazes to 'rain', landing wherever they found gravity to fall to it. Yet not once hitting anyone, even as Severus walked out of the water, with Athena and Freya both now crying, toward Remus, who placed his arms around them once they were closer, both him and Severus between relieved and more tears flowing.
They still had their daughters; Freya and Athena.
###
"Splinter!"
"My Turtles!"
The Turtles all ran to their father rat, whom was waiting with anxiousness and hope in the Snape-Lupin living room of the house. Relief and joy swept over Splinter, as he did his best to wrap his arms around all four of his sons, who've all rushed to him and engulfed him with hugs of their own.
The travel back to the Snape-Lupin house hold was not without its complications. But they managed, continuing the help from Sirius and James – since they know of Remus's family home and its location, they just stayed away out of respect... and still much dislike for Severus... for Remus's wishes to keep the girls out of sight. But this was that time where that barrier needed to drop, just for now, so the Turtles can get back to Splinter, and the two fathers could get their daughters home, safe and sound and care for them, now that the miracle of Freya returning to them had caused them to want to make sure that she and Athena were back where they belonged.
Sirius and James nearly did have to double take on the sight of Splinter, but like they did when they saw the Turtles for the first time, quickly pushed it away, knowing that there were much worse things in the world, compared to a doting father over his four sons. Even if they are one huge rat and toddler-child sized turtles.
"Do you need any further help?" James asks Remus and Severus.
"I think we will be okay, Potter, thank you," Severus said, uncharacteristically polite to the man he still didn't like, but his opinion changed... only a little.
He turns and takes the twins further into the house, heading toward the stairs that were located closer to the back of the hallway.
Remus remained.
"I still don't get it," Sirius voices. "But, I know to not mess with either of you when it comes to those girls of yours!"
"Are you sure you don't need any more help?" James asks.
Remus shakes his head. "We just need as much quiet as possible, away from people for a bit."
"Understood," said James.
After a quick round of departing pats on the back, James and Sirius left.
From the living room, Splinter was attending to his boys. Observing the mark on Raphael's face and the wounds on Michelangelo, who had near fell in trembles into his father's arms when he described the horror. (Severus had sent down what Splinter may have needed via use of magic).
"We will help you to heal and get through this, Michelangelo. Not forgetting your own trauma from this, my sons," he sooths with tender tone, firmly wrapping his arms around his youngest son and moving closer to the older three. Each of whom managed to fit their small arms around either their father, or their youngest brother, or another brother.
"If you like, I can set up this space for all you to be able to sleep down here," Remus makes the offer, seeing just by body language the Turtles were not going to want to be upstairs, away from their father.
"But what about Santa? He would want us in bed?" Michelangelo sniffs. He looks over to the small Christmas tree that was sitting on the decorated table that he and his brothers helped to set up – after asking Remus and Severus to – to see that there wasn't anything under or around it. "And he hasn't come yet."
"We didn't even get to leave the cookies out for him!" Leonardo remembered, glumly.
"I am sure Santa will understand when he sees four children needing their father," Splinter says.
"And it's not too late to still put out a couple of cookies," Remus offered. "Why don't I set this are up, while you go and choose which cookies you want to give to Santa. You know where the jar is."
"Can you come with us, Splinter?" Donatello asks.
"Of course, I can!" says Splinter.
Splinter guided the four Turtles out of the living area and into the kitchen.
Remus with a wave of his want, had the two couches that were facing each other, turn into one large sofa bed and one smaller one, enough to be able to fit the Mutant Family without being too squished, summoning blankets and pillows... and of course Michelangelo's teddy bear, which they risked to go and retrieve because the poor kid was having terrible nights without him, making sure that comfort was key.
By the time this was done, Splinter and the Turtles returned from the kitchen, carrying a plate with four different cookies on the plate.
"That way Santa can pick what he feels like," said Donatello.
"I hope he likes the one with the jelly in the middle," Raphael says, pointing to the short bread with jam dollop.
"I'm sure he just might," Remus smiles.
The plate was placed on the small table near the fireplace, that was now lit, (and gated for safety).
"Won't Santa get stuck?" Leonardo asks, seeing the grating.
"Remember, Santa is like a Wizard, he's got magic ways of getting around obstacles," Remus decides to say.
"Now, it is time for you to call try and get some sleep, my Turtles," said Splinter.
"I'm going to go and check of Severus and the girls," said Remus.
Splinter just gives a small nod, and returns to his boys, while Remus went on upstairs.
All the while Remus was helping downstairs, Severus was able to bathe and dress the girls in clean clothing, he tended to the wounds they had received, seeming to know which potions to use, whether they were to be taken orally, or to be for external use.
By the time Remus was able to join them, he found Severus in his room, propped up on the bed, with both twins on either side of him, facing him, and they were also slightly propped on specially designed pillows, each being fed a bottle.
No words were exchanged; as Remus entered, closing the door, went over, carefully taking one of their daughters and the bottle she was eating from, and slid next to Severus, as Severus picked up the other daughter and held her close.
Silence continued as they settled their daughters into the large bassinette Severus had placed in his room, he just didn't want to be too far away from them, and Remus felt the same way.
Still without words, Severus went to his en-suite, not even bothering to close that door, stripping down and getting into the shower.
Remus looked over the girls, peaceful in their sleep, both breathing in perfect sync with each other. Sobs broke him out of the mental overlay his mind was going over. Frowning a little, Remus turns toward the en-suite, approached quietly, then peaked around to see Severus sitting on the floor, knees drawn, hands cradling his head, shoulders visibly shaking.
Severus, within seconds of the steaming water hitting his skin, everything had come flooding in, the memories of his childhood, the memories of his Hogwarts years and after, where he made the stupidest mistake by joining the Death Eaters, all in the want to belong; the months of Dr Orson and EWA from the brutality of his transformation to the torture he endured; his pregnancy and the trauma from bringing them into the world, (he didn't regret this, but it was on scarier than he had ever anticipated), then the events that followed causing him to near collapse, trying to suppress his sobs.
He lost two of his daughters, he nearly lost another.
It all became too much in that small moment of willing himself to try and relax...
An arm moved around him, startling him, until he saw that Remus had joined him.
"Talk to me," said Remus, softly. Knowing just how much Severus had held back, even while they were in the EWA facility, with parts of his childhood and more...
Severus opened his mouth and it all came flowing out.
###
Blinking his eyes open, Severus woke to see Remus entering his room, carrying a fresh mug of steaming hot chocolate and setting it carefully on the bedside table.
"The girls are downstairs," he says gently, as he sat on the side of the bed, near Severus. "Splinter is watching them, as well as the Turtles, seems to help distract them from the gifts that are surrounding the tree."
Severus sat up, sheets slipping down as he did, revealing evidence that he, (or Remus), didn't bother to get dressed after getting out of the shower. Revealing and opening up on everything took it out of the young man. But he was grateful to have been able to speak it to someone who cared enough... loved him enough... to listen and not judge. Not even when we spoke of the stuff he experienced at the hands of James Potter and Sirius Black. Severus was not innocent, either, he knew that, he was almost worried that Remus would jump up and defend his friends and call him to be a liar, but it didn't happen, instead, Remus apologised for his own actions in not stepping in whenever he was there in varying moments, and while he cannot change what has happened, he can do what he can to improve.
"You already have," Severus said to him.
By the time he was finished speaking what he could, Severus was exhausted. Remus helped him out of that shower, dry him off and gets him into bed, slipping in with him; deep sleep happened almost immediately.
Now it was morning, and for the first time, in a long time, even after all that has happened the night before, Severus felt a little lighter. He also had someone finally listen to him, without judgment, without ridicule and with a deep understanding. While Remus may not fully know what it was like to be given the dealings Severus had, he was able to keep an open mind, just like he had for those few hours in the steaming shower. Guess the trauma and dealings of being a werewolf might be part of that.
"How are you feeling?" Remus then asks, as Severus stretched out a little.
"I'll get by," Severus replies in his typical fashioned tone, but it was with genuine grateful undertone. He sees the mug of steaming hot chocolate, complete with marshmallow and chocolate flakes. "Who made that?"
"Me," said Remus.
Severus took the handle of the mug, picked it up, bringing the rim to his lips and taking a careful sip. The sweetness, the warmth, the smoothness going over his tongue and down his throat, warming his body.
"Since when have you known to make this?" Severus almost demanded.
"For as long as I was allowed in the kitchen," said Remus, smiling.
"How come you didn't make this before until now?"
"Didn't think to until this morning," Remus admits. "With so much that has happened over the past few months, a lot of things went on the wayside for a while." Then after a milliseconds pause adds; "And it's Christmas. Christmas was never Christmas without a hot chocolate or two. At least it wasn't when I was growing up."
"Maybe something for you to get back in doing, this is better than coffee," Severus suggests.
"I thought you didn't like coffee?"
"I don't, but I've had a few on separate occasions, made extra sweet so I can drink the stuff!" Severus made a face upon remembering those occasions.
"You might change your mind if you tried it the way I do it," Remus teases.
Severus allowed a smile to escape. "If it's anything like this hot chocolate, I might consider it." He takes another sip of the beverage.
After a few moments of silence.
"I'll leave you to get yourself ready to come on down," Remus then says.
He goes to get up, only to be stopped by a hand on his forearm. No really knowing what came over him, Severus didn't want Remus to go... not yet. Not until...
Slowly, but surely, they shared a kiss. It wasn't one of the passionate built up sexual tension they once would have had back in the EWA facility, and they hadn't really shared anything since escaping, except allowing the other to be wrapped in the other's arms, or just be there for company when needed. This was different. Deep, meaningful... love...
###
"Goody!" cries a very excited Raphael.
Everyone was now downstairs; all had enjoyed a nice simple breakfast of bacon and toast, except for the girls, as they were still on bottles of specially made formula they had to have. Now, it was time for them to finally open some presents!
"Slow down!" Splinter calls to his Turtles, who all near on pushed and shoved to get out of the kitchen dining area and into the living area. "Do not touch a thing until we are in there!"
"Aw!" Raphael protests.
"I mean it," said Splinter sternly, following them out.
"You think Freya and Athena would have the same enthusiasm come the same age?" Remus chuckles.
"I'd be seriously worried if they weren't," says Severus, propping Freya up after she was done with her bottle and placing her against his shoulder, gently rubbing her back.
Freya held her head up and looked around near wide eyed, then sees Remus. She smiled before she drops her head back down into Severus's shoulder. So blissfully unaware the panic and fear she sent her fathers through so many hours earlier.
Athena, so just as unaware, was doing the same, only peeping over Remus's shoulder, instead.
They then joined their guests in the living area, where the Turtles were getting in rather close to the tree and table. It was already decided that Remus was to be handing out the presents; placing Athena in her bouncer right next to him before doing so.
"Who gets the first present?" Leonardo asks, eagerly.
"I believe your Sensei ought to have that honour," said Remus, picking up the first of the neatly arranged piles and giving it to Splinter.
For the next however long it took, gifts were opened. The Turtles were given the same number of gifts, some of the same to similar items, some that fit each of their own personalities. Donatello getting his own beginner potion making kit, for example, one suited for a child his age, but one that may give him a challenge, which he craved, with his love for learning. Leonardo received Lego, Raphael a race car and Michelangelo cheered when he got his very first, much begged for, skateboard.
The twins completely oblivious to their gifts, which included two small canvases that the Turtles did for them, under strong supervision from Splinter.
"That'll explain the request for paint and other supplies," Remus was impressed.
When everything was unwrapped and tidied away, the rest of the day was spent enjoying hot chocolate, a delicious Christmas lunch and playing games.
You didn't really think I was going to allow Freya to die did you?