AN: I lied - the second bit isn't going to be a continuation of the first but rather something else that just popped into my head and begged to be written. The second bit to the first chapter will be coming and I'm ashamed to say, it will be M rated.

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"Daddy I need help."

Looking up from his desk and the report he was reading, Harry turned towards the doorway and smiled. In the hallway outside his home office, his four year old daughter was standing, safety scissors and glue in hand, with a piece of construction paper stuck to her cheek. Setting the report down, he pushed the chair back and turned towards her.

"What's wrong cuddle bug?" Opening his arms to her, he watched as she grinned and ran across the room towards him, pig tails flapping behind.

As she collided with his chest, he wrapped his arms around her with an oomph and lifted her to his lap. Settling her on his knee, he took the scissors from her hand and held them out in front.

"What have mummy and I said about scissors?"

"No running."

"And why do we say it?"

Lips lowering in a sad face, Kaitlyn looked down at her lap. "So I's and you's don't get hurt." Hands twisting together, she lifted blue eyes to her father's and asked. "Does that mean I's in trouble? Cause I didn't mean too."

"I think we can let it go with a warning." Leaning down, he kissed her forehead before pulling her into a hug. "If you promise to try and remember not to do it again."

"I's promise!" she answered, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck and kissing his cheek. Settling down again so she's leaning against him, she looked up. "But I still needs your help daddy."

"Okay. What are we doing?"

Sliding off his lap, she gripped his hand and pulled until he stood. Still holding his hand, she led him into the hall and down the stairs to the sitting room. As they crossed the threshold into the festively decorated room, Harry stopped and stifled the laugh he felt bubbling inside.

Lying against some pillows and the arm of the couch, Ruth napped; an open book lying under her hand.

That in itself was normal for a Saturday afternoon of late.

What wasn't was the paper cut-outs of what looked like stars and holiday balls and snowflakes glued to her face, arms, torso and legs. Taking a step closer, he lifted his hand to cover his mouth as he saw the streaks of red, green and gold glitter in her hair, along her eye brows, and around her lips.

He looked down as a small hand grabbed his, pulling him towards the cluttered coffee table. Lowering himself next to his daughter, watched as she picked up a piece of paper; holding it and the scissors out to him.

"I wants to make a chain to wrap around mummy. Like I's did at school. But I can'ts cut the paper right. Can you help me?"

"Of course I can. Why don't you color some more decorations while I cut these out. But let's be quiet so mummy can sleep."

"Okay!" Kaitlyn whispered, crayon gripped in her hand. Turning to the table, she bit her lower lip in concentration and carefully started to color the ball in.

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"There we go." Harry said, gluing the last of the green links to the red one.

Carefully holding it out to his daughter, he watched as she started to drape it around Ruth's feet and legs. As she laid the last of the links around Ruth's neck, Kaitlyn grinned and turned back to her father. Seeing him grinning back, she jumped towards him, wrapping her arms around him in a hug.

"Mummy's all decorated now daddy! Thanks you."

"You're welcome." Hugging her tight, he looked at Ruth, his grin growing at what he knew her reaction would be. Disbelief and anger swiftly followed by resolve and cheer that their daughter was happy, safe, and having fun. Holding her back slightly, he looked into Kaitlyn's eyes; so like her mother's; and lifted his finger to his lips. "What do you say we take some pictures of mummy before she wakes up?"

"Okay!" Stepping back she ran towards the kitchen where she knew they kept the camera. Slowly getting to his feet, Harry followed. Grabbing the camera, he turned it on and as they moved back to the living room, he helped Kaitlyn take some pictures. Crossing to stand above his sleeping wife, he aimed the camera at her face and took a picture, his grin growing as her eyes started to flutter open.

"Have a good sleep my beautiful wife?"