Hello my dear readers! The time has finally come the beginning of the seventh story to this series is here! I can't believe that we are at this point, there were definitely times when I didn't think that I would make it this far. This was several years in the making, with countless writer's block, life issues, losses and other things that have prevented this from getting done as soon as I would have liked. But this is it, the last lap, and I am beyond thankful to all of you who have stuck with this in its entirety. If it was possible, I would give each and every one of you a big hug to show my appreciation, because none of this would be even be possible without you.

So, here is the first chapter of "You Were Always There: Part Seven." Please leave a comment to tell me what you think! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: All things Harry Potter are NOT mine!

Chapter One: Fate and Destiny:

December 21st, 1980

Western England

CatherinePOV

"Honey, I'm telling you, we're lost."

"We are not. Trust me, I know where I'm going."

"That's what you said fifty miles ago."

"That just means we're fifty miles closer to our destination."

Catherine could only sigh, knowing it was practically pointless to argue further with her husband. When it comes to directions, Ben unfortunately fits the male stereotype perfectly. Somehow, they had gotten turned around on the road that was supposed to take them straight on through to Minehead, and now they were driving through an unexpected detour that was taking them at least an additional hour to get where they needed to be.

I suppose this is what I get for falling asleep and trusting Ben to take the right road. Catherine loved her husband dearly, but when it came to taking long trips out of town, he definitely needed supervision if he was the one behind the wheel. They had been out for a few hours already, and it was a good thing that the two of them had agreed to leave early in the morning, otherwise they would risk driving through unknown territory in the dark, and considering that the forecast called for some snowy weather withing the next twenty-four hours, that idea did not bide well with Catherine at all. Despite having made this particular trip many times before, this time she was starting to feel more restless than normal. She was aching to get to Minehead soon, and get out of the cramped car, if anything to get a little fresh air. The dizzy spells were still coming in at random times, but she had grown used to them by now. As if he were somehow tuning in to her thoughts, Ben looked over at her from the driver's seat and gave her a sympathetic smile, reaching over with his left hand to gently take hold of hers.

"I'm sorry, love, I know you're tired," he said. "We'll be there soon, I promise. Then you will have your mother to fret all over you."

"Don't remind me," Catherine huffed with a light laugh. "Do you think she's going to like her gift?"

"Like it? She's going to be over the moon when finds out," Ben replied, grinning broadly as he glanced down at Catherine's abdominal area, where underneath layers of warm winter clothes, a small bump was steadily growing. "How is our little one doing?"

"Very hungry," Catherine answered, her hand falling over her stomach out of pure habit. "And craving cinnamon rolls."

"Doctor Ross said you need to go easy on the sweets," Ben reminded her.

"Yes, well, it's the holiday season. How can he possibly expect me to behave myself when temptation is literally in every other store window?" Catherine asked. Ben simply laughed at this, and Catherine couldn't help but join in, rubbing her stomach absentmindedly, where her angel was growing every day.

It was just a couple of months ago that she and Ben found out that they were expecting, and the pure joy they felt was unimaginable. Of course, they hadn't planned on starting a family so soon–they had only been married for a little over a year, now. Ben was in his last year of school, and even though Catherine as working on her undergraduate degree, she was still figuring out what exactly she wanted to do for a career. But the moment they received news that they were going to be parents, she knew that everything in their lives was going to change. They were going to have a baby…a beautiful, wonderful baby that was already so very loved beyond words. None of the other trivial things in life seemed to matter. Only this child.

Most days Catherine found herself daydreaming about what her baby would be like. They still had another month before the doctor could see whether they would be having a boy or a girl, but Ben was so sure that the two of them were going to be blessed with a daughter. Whenever Catherine would ask why he thought so, he would shrug and tell her he just had a strong feeling about it. It even got to a point where he had already started buying adorable little dresses when he would accompany Catherine to the department store, claiming that his little princess needed the absolute best. Of course, it didn't matter to Catherine which one it would be, so long as the baby would be healthy. Still, the idea of having a little girl did make her very giddy, and never failed to bring a bright smile to her face. She imagined a tiny girl, maybe with blonde curls like her father, tied up with ribbons, rosy cheeks, and her nose. Or maybe, she will have her dark, wavy hair, with her father's sly smile and tall stature. Nonetheless, Catherine secretly hoped that the baby would end up with Ben's beautiful, dark blue eyes, so full of light, laughter, and love, with just a twinge of mischief.

Excitement and fear were constantly brewing deep within her at the thought of being a mother so young, but seeing her stomach swell a bit more every day and experiencing the unconditional love it gave her…it made her all the more eager to see her child, and it gave her the confidence that she and Ben will be able to do this. And now, they just had to tell her mother, Susan, their wonderful news. It was decided that they would wait until the second trimester before telling anyone, just to be on the safe side, and Catherine thought it would be a marvelous Christmas gift. It was no secret that Susan was longing for grandchildren, so it was certain that finding out Catherine was pregnant would have her bouncing with joy. If they could get to her house safely, that is.

Ben and Catherine continued with their drive for a while longer, listening to Christmas music on the radio and enjoying the scenery around them. Even though they did not recognize where they were, Catherine appreciated the lovely sight of the vast, wild moors that surrounded them. It was all covered in a thin blanket of snow, stretching for miles as far as the eye could see, and glittering in the rays of the sun. It was enough to take your breath away, and she was beginning to understand why her mother wanted so desperately to move back to her childhood home. It may have resulted in a longer drive for them, but it was going to be worth it in the end. As they continued on the long stretch of road ahead of them, Catherine started feeling a bit antsy, and she could feel the need to use the bathroom present itself. As much as she tried telling herself that she could hold it in for a while, the more time that went by, the more urgent the need became. Knowing that another detour would put them even further behind, Catherine truly did her best, but once she began squirming in her seat, she knew that she wouldn't be able to resist much longer.

Therefore, she reluctantly pleaded with Ben to stop at the next town they came across. Abiding her request, they turned off the main road at the first chance they got, and Ben went as fast as the frosty road conditions would allow him. Catherine focused on the music coming from the radio to try and distract herself, humming along to the sound of "Carol of the Bells." Thankfully, she didn't have to wait for much longer, because at one point they drove up along a hill, and when they came to the top, a quaint little village came into view, not far away at all. The young woman let out a breath of relief and sat up straighter in her seat, ready to bolt when they found somewhere that had a bathroom. As they came closer to it, Catherine couldn't help but think that this was a cute-looking village, like something out of a fairy tale. There were several cozy cottages that they passed as they entered, each one with snow adorning their rooftops, appearing more like frosted ginger bread houses, and the further they drove into the center of the village, the more colorful Christmas lights they could see in the windows of both residential homes as well as the shops and stores. Eventually, the street they were driving along came to a dead end, but just beyond it, Catherine and Ben could see what appeared to be the village square. Wasting no time, Catherine opened her passenger door the second the car came to a complete stop, and she was hurrying away before Ben could even get out.

"Cat, be careful or you'll slip!" he called after her.

"I'll take the risk, this is a Class A emergency!" she exclaimed, carefully making her way around a few people that she came upon on the sidewalk. Now that she was out and walking—or rather, closer to jogging—her bladder seemed to kick into full gear, and she knew she mostly likely had only minutes left. Therefore, she hastily rushed through the village square and her eyes sought out the first retail store she could find, not caring what it was. When she reached the front door, it only took her seconds to wrench it open, scan around for the sign that led to a restroom, and bolt towards it.

Catherine took her time while in the restroom, feeling utterly relieved that she was able to make it in time, and while she was washing her hands afterwards, she playfully glared down at her stomach, even though she knew her baby could not see her.

"This is the third time we've had to stop since leaving London," she reprimanded. "This better not become a regular thing with you."

There was no response to this, and no indication at all that the baby heard her, even though Catherine was sure that it did. Sighing to herself, she dried off her hands and then went back out into the store. Stepping out from the hallway, she realized that—as ironic as it was—she had run into a little shop that seemed to be a mix of a bakery and café. The color palate was a lovely combination of cool colors, perfectly matching the outside weather. Shades of blue, green, and white lined the walls in a diamond pattern, with mahogany wooden chairs set up alongside matching tables, which were covered with teal tablecloths that matched the aura of the place. There was a large display of delicious looking pastries in the front window, and the soothing aroma of coffee filled Catherine's nose, and she took a moment to inhale deeply. There were not many people in here, just an elderly couple sitting off in a corner, enjoying their slices of cake, and a woman sipping her beverage. Ben was standing close to the front door, his arms crossed and a suspicious look on his face.

"You came in here on purpose, didn't you?" he asked her. Knowing what he was implying, Catherine chuckled and shook her head.

"I swear, I had no idea that this was a bakery," she told him honestly. "Not that I'm complaining, though."

"Of course, you're not. It looks like you two are already conspiring against me, huh?" he said. Catherine smiled sweetly at him and Ben visibly deflated at the sight of it, the corners of his lips twitching. After asking if she was feeling better and getting a positive response, he made the suggestion of taking the opportunity to take a break and get something to eat. Catherine was immediately on board with the idea, her entire face lighting up brilliantly, and Ben laughed at the excitement on her face.

And so it was that Catherine and Ben were sitting at a table in the café ten minutes later, with two steaming cups of hot chocolate before them, and of course, a plate of cinnamon rolls for them to share. They had taken seats in front of the window and while they ate, the married couple also took the time to take in the gorgeous view of the square outside.

"It's so beautiful here," Catherine commented. "Like something straight out of a fairytale. It almost has a magical feel to it."

"It really does," Ben agreed. "Can you imagine how nice it must be in the summer? And I thought Canterbury was nice. Maybe we could poke around for a little bit on the way home, consider this place when it's time to move."

"You haven't received word yet about internship job in Dover yet," Catherine said. "There's still a chance that you could get it."

"But I'm just one of several applicants, though, and the company is only going to pick three," Ben reminded her, his shoulders sagging a bit as that familiar doubt and worry flickered in his eyes. "There is a strong chance I may not get it. I want to make sure all of our options are considered before the decision is made."

"You still have a chance to get it, though," Catherine said, giving him an encouraging smile. "They would be out of their minds if they reject you after seeing all your credentials. You're one of the top in your class, sweetheart. If they can't see that, then it's their loss."

Ben smiled back at her and reached over for her hand, raising it to his lips to kiss her knuckles.

"How did I get so lucky with you?" he murmured softly.

"We should be thankful that you're so clumsy," Catherine stated. "If you hadn't tripped over those melons, we may have missed each other."

"Well, thank God I'm an idiot."

"You are anything but an idiot, Ben Thatcher."

A comfortable silence fell between the couple as they simply gazed at one another, both of their expressions portraying nothing but the outmost love they had for each other. Just staring into her husband's eyes was enough to create a warmth in her chest that easily spread throughout the rest of her body, wrapping her up in a blanket that made her feel safe and loved. Even after all this time, her feelings towards him never faltered, and she still never regretted her decision to say yes when he asked her to marry him. Soon enough, they finished their treats and their drinks, and Ben offered to buy a goodie bag in case they got hungry again before they reached Minehead. Catherine happily agreed, and thanked him as he stood up to go back over to the register. She smiled after him, already picturing the pastries she could nibble on for the rest of the drive.

"Those sweet cravings are really kicking in, aren't they?"

Catherine looked to see who had spoken, and she saw that the woman she had noticed earlier when she left the restroom was still there, sitting at the closest table diagonal from hers, holding her own steaming cup in her hands and giving Catherine a kind smile. At first she wasn't sure if the woman was speaking to her, but Catherine realized that from this angle, the young woman could probably see her baby bump through her sweater and connected the dots. A sheepish pink flushed graced her cheeks and as she rubbed her stomach.

"It seems to be all this little one wants nowadays," Catherine giggled. "I'm craving anything baked almost twenty-four-seven. My husband says he's going to hire a P.I to make sure I stick to my doctor-approved diet, and take the car keys from me."

"That sounds like something my husband would definitely do," the woman said, an amused gleam in her bright green eyes. "Are you new here in town?"

"Just passing through," Catherine replied. "We're visiting my mother for the holidays in Minehead, and we got a bit turned around. I'm not even sure where we are right now."

"Well, you're in luck. This is Godric's Hollow, you're only about another hour away from Minehead. Once you get back out onto the main road, you just need to keep heading North until you find the proper signs."

"Really?" Catherine said, feeling immensely relieved that she and Ben were not as lost as she believed they were. "Well, that settles it then—my husband is going to give me the biggest 'I told you so' in history. He was so insistent that he knew exactly where he was going, even if it took us over an hour out of the way. It's funny how men always think they're right even when they are hopelessly clueless. I'm Cat, by the way."

"It's nice to meet you, Cat," the woman greeted. "My name is Lily. How far along are you?"

"Close to four months, now, and this little nugget is already trying my patience with how many times they are having me make a run for the closest restroom. I have to say, I'm glad that we stopped here for a rest. We've been driving for most of the day and I'm happy we came upon a place as lovely as this. It's sort of like a hidden gem, nice and quiet."

"It definitely is," Lily said, nodding. "After my husband and I got married, we knew right away we wanted to live here. It's the perfect place to start a new, wonderful life together, and to have a family. Do you know what you're having?"

"Not yet, although Ben swears up and down that its going to be a girl," Catherine answered. "He's already bought dresses and an assortment of bright pink unicorns. And it'll only get worse once my mother joins in, we're going to be telling her tonight."

"I'm sure that she will be thrilled when she hears the good news," Lily said, tucking a loose strand of her dark red hair behind her ear. "Are you nervous at all?"

"A bit, yeah," Catherine admitted. "To be honest, there are times when I feel terrified, and worried that I won't be a good mother. That I'll do something wrong, and screw things up for him, or her. But you know, when I start to feel that way, Ben is always there. I know he is nervous too, but he's so ready to be a dad. He talks to the baby every night, he could probably go on for hours if I let him. Just knowing that he's there to support me, that he is in for this in the long run…it means more than he'll ever know. He's my rock, and as long as we're together, I know that everything will turn out okay."

Lily smiled at her, and before either one of them could say anything else, Ben came back over towards their table, with a brown paper bag in his hand.

"Are we all set to go, love?" he asked.

"Yes, I'm ready. We better hurry, or Mum will reach all the way out to Scotland Yard to form a search party," Catherine said as she stood to her feet. "It was very nice to meet you, Lily."

"It was nice to meet you too. Good luck with your little one," Lily said with a wave. Catherine thanked her and after Ben helped her to put on her coat, they pulled their collars up and prepared to face off against the bitter cold once again. Stepping outside, Catherine shivered instantly, although she found relief when Ben wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled him close to her side, kissing the side of her head and leading her back down the street from where they came.

LilyPOV

Lily watched Cat and her husband leave the café, both of them with tender, loving smiles on their faces as they went. The sight warmed Lily's heart, and any fear, or anxiety she had previously been feeling when she first entered the store evaporated into thin air. Seeing the couple so happy, so excited about becoming parents…it filled her with so much hope for the future. She leaned back against her own chair, tracing the rim of her mug with her finger, becoming lost in thought.

She wondered what had made her ask a complete stranger, a Muggle, how she felt about expecting a baby. Of course, her concerns were most likely nowhere near as severe as Lily's. Cat was not living in the middle of a war, fighting dark forces beyond her imagination, living in constant fear that those closest to her would possibly die every day until the conflict is resolved. Both she and her husband—Ben, she believed—would be able to raise their child in safety, away from all the dangers that Lily's world currently faces. In a way, the redhead was envious, maybe even jealous, of how easy Cat has it. There were times when Lily wished that she and James had never decided to fight, never agreed to join the Order. Especially now, when things were going to be changing for them both of them.

Almost out of pure instinct, Lily gently ran her hand over her flat abdomen, mimicking what Catherine had been doing earlier. Oh yes, things were definitely going to be changing, sooner than anyone would expect. She had just found out that morning, and she was a little ashamed to admit that at first, she panicked. Sure, she and James had talked about it, but she wasn't expecting it to happen this soon. Not now, not when things are the way they are. So much danger, so much evil, and not knowing what to do, or who to trust. How could she bring new life into a world like this? Originally, she had wanted some time to calm herself down, to find a way to cope with the news and figure out how to tell James when he came home later that night.

Yet now, after speaking with Cat, and seeing the absolute glow that surrounded her while she spoke of her baby, it made more room for her own happiness and joy to overcome her fear. Dumbledore was always saying that the world could do with some more love, and what better way to combat the forces of darkness with something as pure as love from a child? A child that could bring so might light and life when things seemed most dire. With each second that passed, Lily started growing more and more excited at the idea of becoming a mother, and her unconditional love for her unborn baby was already planting its seed deep within her being.

"You are going to be so loved, sweetheart," Lily whispered quietly, tilting her head down to gaze at her stomach. "So very loved. I promise, you will be safe and cared for. Well, we should probably get going now. Your father will be home soon, and I know he will be so happy when I tell him about you."

With that, Lily stood up from her chair, pulled on her coat and hat, and then headed outside, crossing the street that would take her back to her cottage that was only a five-minute walk from the village square, smiling as she repeated Cat's words to herself in her head.

Everything will turn out okay. I just know it!

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I hope that you guys liked this chapter. I'm sorry it's kind of sort, but I didn't want to make it unnecessarily long. I will get the next chapter up as soon as possible, please leave me a review to tell me your thoughts!