Chapter 3- For Both of You
Author's Note: Here we are, the 3rd chapter. A scene from Waterloo Road prompted this chapter ages ago, so I thought that this bit of fluff would be a good idea.
SPOILER WARNING: If you have not read my Guardian Diaries series, do not read further!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or its franchise, which belongs to JK Rowling, I only own my OCs- Gallardo and Marcena.
Gallardo pulled it out slowly, heart starting to race- the blue tip glowed a sapphire colour, emitting its glow across the room. Slowly, his hands began to understand without a doubt what he was looking at.
"Shit!" Gallardo hissed, putting the white wand down and sitting on the bed. "Shit, Shit, Shit!"
Rated T for some strong language. Please read and review!
6th June 1999
"Hey beautiful," Gallardo grinned, peering in through the doorway of the cosy tree house of Shell Cottage; he looked fondly at the petite and precious brunette, that was his fiancee now.
"Hey!" Marcena said, in a high voice, spinning around quickly.
"Is everything, all right?" Gallardo asked lightheartedly.
"Great, thanks," Marcena said, taking hold of his arm and beckoning him out. "I don't know about you, but I feel like a cup of tea."
Gallardo silently laughed as he was all but dragged to the kitchen where Hermione, Fleur, Ginny, Harry and Ron were already there. They had been embarking on a long route home. They would stay at Shell Cottage, after the term for Hogwarts being finally over, before journeying to Grimmauld place, then the Burrow, then finally to Bath and then to Surrey, where Gallardo would properly stay with his future in-laws. Even thinking that was a little scary; being a Spanish mother, Mama would be very 'involved' in her son's and Marcena's life, to the point of well intentioned interference. Gallardo wondered if that drop of Spanish blood existed in Marcena's family.
"Are you going to be all right, back here?" Marcena asked him.
Gallardo chuckled. The girls were spending the day going shopping today, which would leave him to hang out with Ron and Harry (Bill had just returned to work at Gringotts).
"I'll be fine," Gallardo embraced her and kissed her forehead. "Enjoy your shopping trip."
He heard Ron mutter something about getting a room, while Fleur playfully struck his arm.
Within minutes, the girls had gone and the men were left to their own devices.
"Hey, have you two heard of this game that Muggles play with these netted bats?" Ron enquired.
"Rackets," Gallardo corrected.
"Whatever, they beat a little yellow ball around," Ron continued.
"They call it tennis, why? Do you want to play it?" Harry said.
"I'm saying that there's a Wizard equivalent on broomsticks," Ron grinned. "How about we borrow some brooms and equipment from Bill's shed?"
"Sure, why not?" Harry said, glancing towards Gallardo, who also nodded.
"We'll have to apply some Concealment Charms," Gallardo reminded.
As Harry and Ron went to the shed, something else was playing on Gallardo's mind. Why was Marcena acting suspiciously?
His curiosity took him up to the tree house, where they had set room in. There was a bed, curtain, desk, wardrobe and two sidetables inside. It was quite homely and simple, because the bed was more like a low divan. This treehouse had a few fond memories, as this was where Gallardo had told Marcena that he loved her, this was wher he had proposed and she had accepted, and where their first night of passion together was. All that was just over a month ago and Gallardo would never forget this place.
He remembered her standing behind her sidetable on the right. He had chosen the left, which was closer to the door; his primal instinct was to take that one to protect her from the chill or whatever that had the audacity to intrude into their domain.
He walked over and his hand hovered over one of the drawers. Part of him scolded himself for potentially encroaching on his fiancee's privacy, but his curiosity tempted him on. Surely, secrets from the person you wanted to spend the rest of your life with were not healthy? Surely, it couldn't be anything too bad?
He pulled open the first drawer. There a number of things inside- elastic bands, tweezers, hairbrushes, some red envelopes, but a thin white wand caught his eye. Gallardo pulled it out slowly, heart starting to race- the blue tip glowed a sapphire colour, emitting its glow across the room. Slowly, his hands began to understand without a doubt what he was looking at.
"Shit!" Gallardo hissed, putting the white wand down and sitting on the bed. "Shit, Shit, Shit!"
An ocean of thoughts charged through him. He had willingly asked Marcena to marry him, he had no doubt that he loved her and wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. But nothing could prepare him for this moment, which he hoped would have come some years later when he had a stable job and income. He wasn't ready now! He wasn't ready to be a dad!
He was not an overtly religious person, but he was a strong believer in the sanctity of life, so he couldn't ask her to get rid of it, could he? Nor could he order Marcena to keep it, as it would be growing inside her body, she'd be the one to carry it and deliver it.
"Dude, come on, what's keeping you?" Ron's voice demanded from the doorway.
"Nothing! Just coming!" Gallardo said hoarsely, like someone getting caught for something they shouldn't be doing and having to quickly make a feeble excuse.
He sighed, pocketing Marcena's pregnancy test.
The guys played Wizarding Tennis on the beach, which wou have been a lot more fun had Gallardo not been worrying about this. He missed a lot of serves, and Harry and Ron wondered why he of all people should be so appalling at this game.
"Mate, where's the Beater gone?" Ron laughed as they touched down.
"Sorry, I've just got a lot on my mind," Gallardo responded quietly, sitting on a rock
Harry joined him and patted him on the shoulder. "What's wrong?"
Gallardo sighed. "I think Marcena's pregnant."
"What?" Harry and Ron said together.
"H-how's she taking it?" Harry asked.
"She doesn't know-"
"How can she not know, if you do?" Ron scoffed.
"Of course she knows! She doesn't know I know!" Gallardo said indignantly.
"Are you not... careful?" Ron asked.
"Of course, we're careful!" Gallardo snapped. "It's... well during our first time, I can't remember if we were... we were both caught up in the moment... I'd finally told her I loved her and proposed... and one thing led to another!"
"Ah!" Ron winced. "You're not feeling ready for this?"
"No, I always imagined this would happen years into practice, when we're married and both have jobs. I guess this changes everything, doesn't it?"
"Mate, I know you're feeling scared, and so would I if I were in your position," Harry counseled. "But that's absolutely nothing compared to how terrified Marcena is. I've always had you down as a keeper, Gallardo, but your fiancee needs reminding of that. She needs you to tell her that you'll stand by her and won't abandon her."
Suddenly, it dawned on Gallardo how right Harry was. How could he be so selfish when it may be Marcena whose day is tainted because of her fears?
"I guess I have to man up and face the consequences, eh?" Gallardo croaked, smiling grimly. "There's always a flexible way through this, isn't there?"
Ron and Harry nodded, grinning with encouragement.
That afternoon, when the girls had returned, Gallardo asked for Marcena to be excused as he walked with her, hand in hand, to the beach. The June day was very pleasant, and the sky was a clear and honest blue.
He had asked her about her day and whether she had bought anything, he listened to the brief inventory she gave him, and he sat her down on one of the rocks.
"Marcena," he began."Is there something you want to tell me?"
"Ummm... not that I can think of off the top of my head," Marcena pondered. She was wearing a pink floral tunic, just like on that day on the beach in March this very year. No matter what happened, they would be blessed to have this opportunity to walk the beach together again.
"Do you remember what happened there," Gallardo said, motioning to a spot nearer to the sea. He saw the memories of two carefree people, who had a different adventure before them.
"I do remember," Marcena swooned. "That's where we had our first kiss! And you gave me this." She motioned to a pebble around her neck, which had MS engraved into its marble.
"Listen, I took a look into your drawer today."
"Oh, let me expl-" Marcena began.
"Marcena, hear me out, OK?" Gallardo said, taking her hand and kissing it. "I love you, I mean that, I really do."
Marcena began to well up inside.
"I'll do whatever it takes, we can work something out, I can study part time, find work, plus I think we have families who'll support us," Gallardo submitted quickly. "I want you to know that I will always be here for you. For both of you." He nodded towards her belly.
Marcena's smile grew confused and then into one of bemusement. "Both of you? Gallardo, I'm not actually pregnant!" she laughed.
"You're not?" Gallardo began grinning too. "But this..." he drew the white stick.
Marcena began laughing and shaking her head. "That's actually not mine!"
Gallardo started laughing too, her cute laugh easing his nerves.
"Do you not think I'd come and talk to you if I thought I was pregnant?" Marcena touched his cheek lovingly. "But that was so sweet, I am so blessed to have a man like you. I promise I'll do whatever I can to please you."
Gallardo kissed her hand once again. "And I will make you a happy woman. Although, firstly, what were you hiding from me this morning?" His tone was light and not stern. "Secondly, who does that belong to?"
"I've managed to get us tickets for the Sunne, the Rose and the Falcon, that play you've been on about, in theatre. It was meant to be a surprise."
"Wow, thank you," Gallardo said, flushing.
"I have no idea who that belongs to!" Marcena confessed. "Although... I think, it could be Ginny's!"
"Why Ginny's?" Gallardo grinned.
"Call it a womanly hunch," Marcena whispered. "And today, she and Fleur disappeared suddenly, and she came back slightly flustered! Oh my God, Harry's going to be a dad!"
"What makes you think Ginny was the pregnant one?" Gallardo quizzed, feeling a light relief, allowing him to breathe hungrily. "And why would the test be in our room?"
"Because she disappeared with Hermione again! And she was here before we came, remember? Plus, it's definitely not mine," Marcena said, touching his arm. "Do you think Harry knows? How do you think he'll take it? And how's Ron going to react?"
Gallardo took a moment to ponder what Harry had said to him. If Harry lived by his own words, then he and Ginny would be fine.
"Why don't we find out?" Gallardo suggested mischievously.
They mooched back to Shell Cottage, holding hands and talking about unimportant things and anything that briefly crossed their minds.
When they reached back, it was time to put their theories to the test.
Marcena suggested that they all share a bottle of sherry. Normally, she didn't drink, but she really wanted to find out.
"That's a great idea!" Bill said. "I'll get the bottle!"
As he left, Marcena glanced at Ginny, who appeared to be unfazed as she chatted with Ron.
"Hey, why don't you sit down, Marcena?" Harry recommended, guiding her from the shoulders to a chair. "How about some pineapple punch instead? Maybe that would be better for you?"
Marcena quizzically looked over to Gallardo, who grinned and winked at her. Her inner vixen began growling playfully. "Sure, thank you Harry!"
The bottle of sherry came to them, Gallardo saw Ginny accept a glass and sip it.
No, Ginny Weasely would never risk an unborn child's life just to save face. He refused to believe otherwise. He saw that Harry didn't suspect a thing, because he was still under the impression that the pregnancy test belonged to Marcena.
"Do you think the seaside is a good place to settle down and have a family?" Marcena asked Harry.
"I'm sure it is," Harry nodded.
Gallardo's eyes widened with mischief. He winked at Marcena.
Marcena, waited for the others to continue their conversation, and closed her eyes and began blinking, before swallowing and fanning herself.
By this time, Harry glared at his friend, who didn't seem to be interested in anything but which client Bill had seen at work today.
"Are you all right?" Ginny whispered to Marcena, who nodded. But a minute later, the same grimacing continued. Soon most of the room, except Gallardo and Ron were looking at the girl who appeared to be struggling to keep something down.
Finally, Harry lost his patience and clicked his fingers at Gallardo and tilted his head towards Marcena, who burst out laughing with Gallardo. The couple high fived each other and grinned.
After a short pause, the whole room joined in, Harry included, despite flushing to a deep pink.
"Oh, very funny!" he said, half amused.
"Sorry, mate," Gallardo grinned.
"Wait, so you're not?" Ron said alarmed.
"No!" Marcena laughed. "I'm really sorry, guys, and you, Harry!"
"Don't worry about it," Harry waved off.
"Not what?" Fleur asked.
"Gallardo thought Marcena was pregnant, then they decided to trick us," Hermione related with a smile. "Is that about right?"
The couple nodded apologetically.
"She's not, but I am," Fleur said. Her revelation was met by a flurry of "wow, congratulations!", " how far?" or "a boy or a girl?"
"Thank you, all," Fleur said, as Bill hugged her from behind. "About two months. And we don't know yet."
"To be honest, maybe we don't want to know yet," Bill informed. He looked into his wife's blue eyes. "Because sometimes that's part of the mystery."
Under the roof of Shell Cottage, the Weasleys would be blessed with a spring or summer child who would know only warmth and love, and Gallardo felt hugely happy for him or her.
Gallardo Eagle smiled grimly as he stared out of the window into the night sky.
"Hey, Galileo!" Marcena teased. "Come to bed." She tilted her head. Her brown hair had grown longer and past her shoulders. She wore it loose over her jade coloured kimono that ended just over her knees. Her eyes grinned at him, welcoming him.
Gallardo smiled widely and looked down, but looked up again. "You're an absolute beauty."
Marcena walked over to him and kissed him, which he returned and just hugged her. Her heart began racing, wondering if she was doing something wrong. Was he hurting and she had not even realised?
In public he was like this- reserved, respectful and chaste, but in private he was normally as red blooded as a stallion, which they affectionately called his Spanish wonder.
"What's wrong?" Marcena asked him.
Gallardo sighed and kissed her forehead. He took her hands and led her to the edge of their bed.
"I freaked out today," he said softly.
"It's OK!" Marcena smiled, wondering if that was what was bothering him.
"No, I mean I really freaked out," Gallardo confessed. "I always thought I would be a dad when we were married with a stable income... I feel I've been so reckless with you."
"No!" Marcena consoled, touching his face. "If I got pregnant, it would be my fault too- it takes two to tango, right?
"You expect so much of yourself, Gallardo." Her brown eyes found his, prompting him to smile.
Gallardo's heart was still racing, but he leaned to kiss her forehead again. His hands ran up and down her back, which had recently started aching and cramping. He had to lay her on her front and massage her to sleep a couple of times. To him she was bodily perfect, even with her right shoulder protruding slightly above her left; this was just about visible when he ingrained the honey almond oil into her bare back. In her day to day life, Marcena was barely different than she had been before her back problem. She could run, play badminton and swim just like before, and a casual glance would tell you nothing about her recent ailment.
In a peculiar way, that made Gallardo love her even more; she was his heart- fragile, small, spirited and strong.
"Can I just hold you tonight?" Gallardo whispered.
"How about this," Marcena replied, laying on her side of the bed. "Come here." He rested his head on her gently heaving chest, and she ran her fingers through the strands of his hair.
"You would make a great dad, you know," Marcena complimented, after a few minutes.
"You think?" Gallardo said, sitting up to let her lean on him. "Almost as good as the mum that you'd make."
"Thanks," Marcena replied, drifting towards the boundary of sleep.
Gallardo grinned to himself; a feeling of bliss shaded him. "Sweet dreams, my love." He flicked his wand to put out the lights.
Author's Note: I don't usually write stuff like this, but I thought I should give it a go.
So what kind of a dad would Gallardo make? We can kind of explore that in the next chapter, which I'm planning between Gallardo and Nina, which will be set about 2014.
Any other requests or feedback?