An: I know what you're thinking. Holy Shit An Update Already! and yeah..I know I said this would tak a while...but I was so ecited over this chapter so I just sat down and typed like an idiot...even though I shouldnt...I should be working on my school-projekt...oh well. Hope you guys enjoy it!
Disclaimer: Badabingbadaboom...guess what this is...its a paper signed by me stating that I own nothing that you recognize.
Chapter 42-Surprising Christmas Presents.
Sirius came home one day and told me some story about Peter and a girl. When I heard his name I couldn't help put wince, since I knew what he would do…I had a hard time acting normal around him. He showed up for Remus and Amelia's wedding and then stayed with us at the beach house and now he was hanging with us a bit more again. When the guys asked what he'd been up to lately, he waved it off with a story about his mum being sick, and that he had to care for her…I didn't believe him but kept quiet.
I had some interesting "talks" with Dumbledore…since I knew that the prophecy was getting closer and that something had to be done. Dumbledore on the other hand apparently had a plan, one that I could not know of. And every time I brought up the subject "Peter", he just told me to act normal and don't do anything…he had things covered apparently. Every single meeting I had in secret with him ended with me storming out of his office angrier and more confused than when I got there.
When November came everything was going great. Damien and I were really making progress in the fashion world. Our dear boss Mr. Jasper Virgo had really given us free leashes to make our own brand. Damien thought that we should call it "Stanford & Black" and when I asked why, he simply said;
"Well it is a bit unoriginal I know…but it's easy to remember and our last names suits together don't they?" when I looked at him quizzingly and pointed out that;
"My last name is Reese" he smugly answered;
"For how long?" I just glowered at him and then we continued with our work. The name did sound good after all but we weren't releasing our first line until after Christmas, sometime next year maybe, and Damien strongly suggested to Sirius, when he came to take me out for lunch one day, that he should hurry up and marry me already. To which I blushed chrisom and Sirius just looked a bit frightened thanks to Damien's choice of wearing a feathered hat, that day.
So as you can see, things were for once as normal as they can get when it came to our little posse.
Lily and James as well as Alice and Frank had been talking about babies a lot and I smugly knew that they soon would get their wish. But why ruin their surprise? What I didn't know, even if I, at that moment, thought I knew pretty much everything, was that soon I would get a surprise of my own…
It was a Wednesday at the end of November and I was at work, as usual, nothing strange about that. When I suddenly had this weird feeling at the pit of my stomach. Realizing what it was I hurried past Damien, who was covered in green cloth for some odd reason, and into our private bathroom. Where I promptly threw up everything I had eaten that day.
I could hear Damien curse when he tried to untangle himself from the green silk and then his hurried and flamboyant movements came closer. I didn't care to listen anymore because I hurled another time. Soon he was next to me holding back my hair and asking me all kinds of annoying questions like; "Did I want water?", "What had I ate?" and the likes. But then a very important question stumbled across my hazed mind.
"I thought you said that the stomach flu was over" yes I had indeed suffered from what I thought was a light stomach flu.
"It was" I said weakly and then a look of realisation crossed my dear Damien's face. Then he broke into a smile, one I didn't quite like…
"Why are you smiling like that?" I said, very afraid. His smile only widened and then he said the five words that changed my life, right then and there;
"Char, when was your last period?" this small question turned my life upside down and caused me to throw up again. Damien was ecstatic and on my command hurried to the closest drug store to get a…a…I can't even say it! And here I was, alone, sitting on the bathroom floor thinking and waiting. How long does it take to run to the drugstore?
Damien's POV
Char was in shock…I didn't really want to leave her alone in that state, but this mission could not be trusted with anyone else…I had to do it myself.
The boy in the drugstore who suffered from a severe case acne looked at me strangely when I, a vision in blue, swept into the small drugstore, my arms waving. He looked even more surprised and probably questioned my sanity when after my outburst of
"Eureka!" I arrived at the counter with three bright pink boxes labelled "First Response!". He pushed his glasses, which actually were the latest model on the market, up his nose and said;
"Um…sir…are you sure…" I quickly cut him off and thrust some money in his hand while taking the boxes and saying;
"Yes, here keep the change…toodles!" with that I swept out of the store, only leaving a cloud of Lafontaine's latest cologne for men in my wake. When I arrived back at the office Char hadn't moved. She was sitting on the floor staring blindly in front of her. I carefully approached her and said;
"Darling…how are you feeling? I got the tests…" she looked up at me and gave me a weak smile.
"As good as I can feel I guess" she mumbled and then reached out for the pink boxes. She stared at them, rolled her eyes and said;
"Do they have to make them in these obvious, ugly boxes?" I chuckled lightly and then closed the door behind me. Then, I started pacing. In my opinion hours had gone by when Char appeared in the door with three small sticks in her hand, she placed them on a plate that normally held candles and sat down on the couch next to them.
"We have to wait 10 minutes" she said and then put her head in her hands. I started pacing again, this time glancing at my sliver Gucci watch every other second. Ten minutes felt like ten hours. But soon enough they had passed.
"Darling…" I started when Char didn't react.
"I know…I…could you look at them for me? I just…can't…" she muttered staring at me. I nodded, carefully hiding my excitement since it was obvious that Char still wasn't out of the shock. I carefully approached the three sticks…how strange really…three plastic sticks can change someone's life…I picked the first one up and looked at it then at Char who was staring at me. I didn't even have time to open my mouth, the answer must have been obvious on my face, before she said;
"Positive…right?" I nodded and she made a face. I checked the other two and soon we were both staring at three pink plus signs…
Chars POV
Pregnant. I am pregnant. Carrying a baby. There is something…someone living inside of me. Those three plus signs were screaming at me…goading me. I barely heard Damien ask;
"Char…why do you look so sad? Isn't a baby…normally…eeh…good news?" he was hesitant to ask, I could tell. But I didn't blame him, I was probably pale as a sheet and my face couldn't have been even close to the one of a happy mother to be.
"I…" I had to clear my throat before continuing and Damien handed me a glass of water. I smiled my thanks and then tried again.
"I don't know how to feel, Damien. I mean, yeah a baby is happy news…and I've always wanted kids but…Sirius and I haven't discussed kids…or well yeah, we both agreed that we want them, someday! Not now and…I'm just scared of how he will react" Damien smiled at me and said;
"Char, darling, Sirius loves you. And even if neither of you have planned…nor might even be prepared to have a baby…I just know everything will work out alright…" I smiled and sighed.
"Thank you Dr. Stanford" I muttered and he burst out laughing.
"But how…and when should I tell Sirius about this?" I asked him sadly.
"Well I think you should at least go to a healer first, just to be sure. So you don't give the poor guy a heart attack for nothing" he smiled trying to cheer me up.
"Yeah I guess that's a good idea…but Damien…I don't think…that I'm ready to be a mum" I put my head in my hands and tried to keep my tears at bay.
"Char…" he tried but I interrupted him.
"How could this happen? Or well I know how it happened but…why now? I'm not ready…Sirius definitely isn't ready…I don't even know if I want to…I…can we go to the healer today?" he looked at me with sad eyes and nodded, and then he called the healer to book an appointment.
"They didn't have any free spots until tomorrow" he said looking at me warily…as if he was waiting for me to break down and have a fit.
"Tomorrow? As in…I have to wait a whole day to know for sure?" he nodded and I let out a frustrated sound.
"How am I supposed to keep this from Sirius for a whole day? The bloke always knows when something's up!" Damien shook his head and then suggested that we should continue with our work. I just nodded thankful for having something to take my mind of the latest evolvement in my life…it didn't work.
When I got home I was exhausted…and I just wanted to relax, perhaps take a bath and then work on some paperwork. I was not prepared for what met me at our apartment door. There stood little Peter, apparently waiting for one of us to get home. I plastered on a smile and said;
"Hi Peter, what are you doing here?" he smiled at me but there was a look in his eyes that I didn't like, I could only hope that Sirius would be home soon.
"Hello Char…I just thought that I'd visit you guys…no reason really"
"Really…that's…nice. Sirius isn't home yet though…" I rambled on about something unimportant like the weather while he followed me inside. I politely asked him if he would like to stay for dinner, secretly hoping that he would say no, but he agreed. I sighed, and flipped on the TV and started to prepare some dinner, there goes my relaxing night I thought to myself while I listened to Peter talk about some article in the Prophet.
"So Pete…what's been going on in your life?" I asked smiling innocently. He directly stiffened slightly but smiled uncomfortably back at me and said;
"Nothing much really…" he was interrupted by the door slamming and Sirius shout of;
"Honey I'm home" he happened to watch a TV show where someone did that and now does it every time he got home.
"In the kitchen" I said loudly and I could hear him approach.
"That smells great love…Pete! What a surprise, you staying for dinner mate?" I tuned out after that and just continued with dinner, while Peter and Sirius talked. We ate and discussed…or well Sirius and Peter discussed Quidditch and order business while I sat silently brooding. I knew that I should probably act like normal, but it was hard. The knowledge of the possibility of being pregnant seemed to tire me out and I could swear that I felt different. Sirius and Pete talked on through dinner, seemingly oblivious to my scattered-brained existence. But when I retired and told then that I was going to take a bath, I noticed the gleam in Sirius eye…he knew something was up, he just didn't say anything in front of our friend. I sighed to myself as I tapped up the bathwater and undressed. I reached for the book that I had brought with me when I slipped into the warm almost too hot water. I stopped trying to read the book when I realized that I had been staring at the same line for five minutes, I was too distracted. I glanced down at my still flat stomach through the bathwater. Soon it wouldn't be flat anymore…I was staring so intently and so lost in my own thoughts that I didn't hear the bathroom door open.
Sirius POV
I could tell that something was bothering Char the whole evening. But I didn't pry when Pete was here…and I couldn't just tell him to leave either, I mean he had been very absent lately and now when he seemed alright again none of us could just shove him away. But it still bothered me, not being able to talk to her when clearly she was distressed. That's why I made my way to the bathroom as soon as the door closed behind Wormtail. I quietly entered the bathroom and looked towards the tub. Char was sitting there, staring at the water apparently very deep in thought, she didn't even notice me.
I leaned against the doorpost and observed her. I think I stood there for at least five minutes before I had enough, I cleared my throat and her head whipped up and she looked at me startled.
"Sorry if I scared you" I muttered and walked towards her, then sat myself next to the tub. She looked away and smiled slightly.
"A sickle for you thoughts" I said quietly stroking the wet hair out of her face. She glanced at me and gave me a hesitant smile.
"Nothing…just thinking about work" she was lying; she turned her head away and twirled her hair. To someone who knew her well, like me, these were obvious signs that she was lying. But I decided not to press her…she would tell me…sooner or later.
"I'm going to bed love…I've got a lot to do tomorrow…" she muttered and briefly kissed me before she stood up and went to bed. I followed her and laid down next to her…she was faking asleep…like I wouldn't know the difference…what in Merlin's name was up with her?
Char's POV.
I woke up feeling nauseous, rushed to the toilet and threw up. Thank god that Sirius started early this morning and wasn't here to witness this. I didn't know f it was actually morning sickness, probably, or nerves. I hadn't been able to sleep very well all night, just thinking about everything. How was I supposed to help anyone, especially Lily and James if I was pregnant? Well I was pretty sure that I was, but I wouldn't believe anything until after my doctor's appointment. Because I knew that if this was the case…Sirius would most likely lock me up somewhere and not let me do anything…that is after I've told him and his first reaction…and do I even have to start with Dumbledore…he probably will cut me out and tell me even less information. Damn, why did this have to happen to me, why now?
All this went through my mind as I sat on our bathroom floor. I managed to pull my act together and picked out one of Damien's fabulous creations, and made my way to the office. When I got there I was met by a hyperactive and fretting Damien. He was sitting at his desk a coffee mug in his hand and talking animatedly in his headset-phone, while flipping through a colourful book. Today his blonde hair was fixed in a messy fashion and he was wearing a bright green shirt that would have looked terrible on anyone else but him. He glanced up when I stepped into the office and smiled and did an awkward wave with his coffee cup.
"Maurice, darling…I hate to tell you this but that shade of orange is never going to enter our collection…I know that Lafontaine is doing that…" he stopped and listened and rolled his eyes at me, while I hung up my coat and made my way towards his desk.
"And that is one of the reasons that the soon to be founded Stanford&Black won't have it…Maurice, can I ask you something? Good, now listen carefully. I am your boss, aren't you supposed to listen to me? I do listen to my workers, you know that Char and I appreciate your work but Maurice…pumpkin orange will never be chic…I have to go now…Ta!" he looked up at me with an annoyed expression and then I reached for the coffee cup he tutted me and took it away.
"Not good for you. Want me to join you at your appointment?" I looked annoyed and nodded, that's when I noticed what he was reading. The very colourful pages of "Your baby and you" glared up at me, and here I thought he was reading Witch Vogue…
"Damien…what are you reading?" he looked at me sheepishly and said;
"Darling, we need to be prepared…and look, it's filled with popular baby names" I just stared at him and said;
"Damien…you are aware that I am not 100 percent sure that I am pregnant…and that you are not the baby's dad" He pouted and declared;
"I am well aware of that…but I am going to be this baby's very generous and fashionable uncle Damien! And I'll spoil him or her silly" by now he had a silly grin on his face and I just rolled my eyes and sat down and tried to work. But I ended up staring at the clock, waiting for it to turn three…when my appointment would be.
When Damien and I stepped out of the office we were blinded by flashes from someone's camera. Being two of Jasper Virgos most noted designers made you news in some of the fashion magazines. But Damien and I just shared an annoyed look through our sunglasses and then gave tight smiles to the photographer. When we reached the apparition point I felt like I was going to throw up. We arrived at Saint Mungos and I gripped Damien's hand tightly, this was it. We both went to the front desk and I told her my name and she pointed us to the third floor and a waiting room. We sat there fidgeting, I always hated hospitals. Damien was reading Witch Weekly and mumbling about something.
"Char…look at this picture of us! The angle is terrible" I looked at a picture of me and Damien having lunch with Jasper a couple of weeks ago. I shrugged, not really in the mood to comment anything. Damien looked at me and patted my thigh soothingly. Just as he was about to say something a smooth voice interrupted.
"Excuse me, but are you Miss Charlotte Reese?" I looked up and I think my eyes must have widened comically. Before me stood a man in healer robes. He had blonde hair and his green eyes sparkled, his features were incredibly handsome…almost unnaturally so.
"I…uuh…Yes that's me" I managed to splutter out. He smiled this incredibly white smile and reached out his hand towards me.
"I am your healer, Dr. Ethan Ryan" bloody hell…was the only thought that went through my head as I shook his warm hand. I took a sneak peek at Damien and almost laughed, he was gaping at the Dr.
"Please follow me" Dr. Ryan said in a smooth voice and Damien and I followed silently. Well almost silently…
"I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. Why do you always get so damn lucky when it comes to gorgeous men?" I smirked slightly at my distressed companion, who discreetly checked his hair in a glass door we passed. We entered a room and Dr. Ryan asked me to sit and roll up my shirt. Damien for a moment forgot about the doctor as he sat down next to me taking my hand.
"Are you the father?" Dr. Ryan said smiling that blinding smile again.
"No!" Damien blurted out rather loudly, but the good doctor just quirked an eyebrow and his lip twitched.
"Um…no…I am one of her best friends…completely single…" he muttered looking away. I just shook my head and then followed the doctors' movements.
"Dr. Ryan…?" he smiled and interrupted me.
"Please call me Ethan, I like to have a personal relationship with my patients…since we are going to see a lot of each other if this light here turns blue" he said smiling and gestured with his wand towards my stomach.
"Ethan…well…you explained what I wanted to know already I guess, I was just curious on how this works out." He smiled again and then told me that a simple charm was going to be cast and then a green or a blue light would appear the latter if I was indeed pregnant. He cast the spell and we all stared at my stomach. Only a minute later my stomach seemed to glow slightly and then the light increased. My whole abdomen was shining in a bright blue.
"Congratulations Miss Reese…you are almost two months pregnant" Ethan said happily and I couldn't hold back a small smile and a tear.
Sirius POV
I hated the fact that I had to leave Char before she woke; especially now when I knew that it was something wrong with her.
"Black! Isn't this your Char?" Wilkins said to me when we were sitting in the coffee room having a break. And sure enough in a picture in Witch Weekly was Char, Damien and their boss. I shook my head; it was strange having your fiancé in the papers every now and then…even I had been caught on film once or twice for some article. I just nodded and then watched as Prongs walked in with a strange face.
"What's up Prongs?"
"Padfoot…is Char…ill?" he asked looking at me, I raised an eyebrow and said;
"No…not that I know of. Yeah she was acting a bit strange yesterday when Pete visited but…otherwise no, why do you ask?" he looked at me nervously and answered;
"Because I just saw her walk out of Saint Mungos…with Damien looking rather shaken up" my mind went blank. Saint Mungos? What was she doing there? Something was up, and I needed to know what.
"Prongs…want to pay our fiancés a visit?" it was soon tie for lunch and I knew that Char always ate lunch with Lily and Damien if they didn't have any meetings. We apparated to Diagon Alley and made our way towards a very popular restaurant "Victus Ortus" where everyone that was somebody went for lunch, Damien insisted that they ate there. We went inside and well we go there so often that the waiter knows us by know.
"Sirius, James…the girls and Damien are over there" he said when he spotted us and pointed on a table in the back, our usual table. We nodded in thanks and then made our way towards them. When we got closer we could hear Damien and Char arguing, strange…
"Damien…why are you trying to order for me?!" Chars voice said, she sounded very annoyed and irritated.
"Char you know what Ethan said, it is very important that you watch what you eat during these coming weeks" who the hell was Ethan and why was he telling my fiancé what to eat? Probably some sort of nutrition specialist Damien knows about…I hope…
"I am very well aware of that, but Damien I want the Ravioli Pesto Crab…you know how much I love that…and I really feel like eating it" she whined and I grinned slightly, I just knew that she was doing her puppy dog eyes right now.
"Char, darling…I don't fall for those eyes, and I am not sure that the crab is good for you, I can always ask Miguel the chef I dated that works here…"
"What are you two on about? What do you mean good for her?" Lily's voice, matched my thoughts precisely.
"Don't you think that Lily's choice of Pasta Veggie Scramble would be better?" Damien said, obviously ignoring Lily.
"Well that does sound good…and it really is the pasta I want…okay then, I give in"
"Thank you darling…but, we are taking this up with Ethan and I am so making you a list of things that are good for you…oh…" we were now directly being Char and Lily and Damien stopped talking when he noticed us.
"Hello Sirius, James" I saw Char stiffen, strange she never reacts like that to me, what is going on…
"Hi guys" Lily said smiling, but I saw her look at Char suspiciously.
"Hey" Char said softly a small smile on her lips, but her eyes were panicked and she shared a strange look with Damien. We greeted them and I sat down next to Char and attempted to steal a small kiss but she turned her head and I hit her cheek instead. What in Merlin's pants was that about? She never does that!
"So…who's Ethan?" Prongs said casually sending me a smug and yet calculating look.
"A very handsome doctor" Damien sighed and looked dreamy. Doctor, a handsome one? My mind went back to Prongs seeing Char and Damien walk out of St Mungos, what was up? Char had a pained look on her face and Damien looked like wanted to eat up the words he just said.
"Wait…Ethan…as in Dr. Ethan Ryan, who works at St Mungos…but he's…" Lily said a look of realisation on her face and Char looked even more panicked.
"Married isn't he?" Damien said looking crestfallen. Char laughed lightly and Lily shook herself out of her little moment of realisation…I wish I could read minds right now.
"No actually he's not" Damien smiled and Char shook her head. Then the waiter arrived and we all ordered the whole time I tried to catch Chars' eye, but she seemed to be avoiding me. I was getting very frustrated and when we were done, she was apparently just going to leave like that but I stopped her outside the restaurant.
"Char…what's going on?" she looked at me and then bit her lip.
"I…I need to talk you about something…but I'd rather do it at home" she muttered looking away when she finished. I nodded and turned her head towards me.
"Okay…but promise me that you will be there and tell me everything…because I can't take this anymore, love" she looked a bit nervous and pained again but nodded. Then she left with Damien, having a very heated whispered conversation. When we got back to work I couldn't concentrate, my thoughts were on what Char was going to tell me. And the longer I sat there the worse the thoughts got. At first she was just ill, then deathly ill. Then she didn't want to be with me anymore. She was having an affair with this doctor person…I dismissed most of them, but still I worried. I have never been so reviled when my shift ended. I hurried home and found Char sitting on the couch with a cup of tea in her hands. I slowly walked towards her and sat down next to her. We sat like that silent, for a couple of minutes until she turned and looked at me.
"Sirius…I went to the doctor today" oh Merlin no…she was ill…
"Because Damien and I…we err…discovered something yesterday and I had to take a test to be sure, but I wanted a healer's opinion and well…Damien and I were right" I was lost. I didn't understand anything.
"Char…I'm lost" I said smiling slightly and she smiled as well.
"Sirius I…ugh…I…what do you think of kids?" what the…well I wasn't really expecting that.
"What? Well you know I love babysitting Dora and I guess they are cute…" she laughed quietly and looked up at me with amused and worried eyes.
"No Sirius…about having kids of your own" now I was even more puzzled.
"Char, what that has got to…" I trailed of as a small light went on inside my head. Was she saying that…?
"Char…are you…are we…are you saying that…?" I stuttered out staring at her wide eyed. She looked at me with just as wide eyes and then she took a deep breath and said;
"Sirius. I'm pregnant" I swear that I saw small stars and I only had the time to think; I'm going to faint, before everything went black.
Chars POV
Well that went great. He fainted. I finally managed to splutter it out and he fainted. This was going great. I sighed and accioed a wet compress and started to lightly press it against Sirius forehead waiting for him to wake up. I thought back to my meeting with Dr. Ryan…or Ethan as he asked me to call him. He explained a lot to me and really was a great healer and I was very happy about having him with me through all this. But he wanted to meet me and the father next week, to check that everything was okay and talk to the both of us. By then we would have entered December and I would be about two months along, Ethan had been kind enough to help me figure out a calendar.
I had tried to imagine Sirius reaction all day. This was actually one of my options, not really the one I was hoping for but…finally the man in my lap stirred and muttered something. I stroked his hair and waited patiently for him to wake completely. When he did his grey eyes met my brown eyes and I didn't know what to say but;
"Are you alright?" he looked at me and then sat up.
"Yeah…I'm just…shocked…I...we, pregnant really?" I nodded nervously and watched him scratch his head.
"Well…I wasn't exactly expecting that…"
"What were you expecting then?" he smiled sheepishly and muttered;
"Everything from that you were deathly ill to that you were leaving me for some handsome doctor" I couldn't help but laugh at him.
"Sirius…honestly!" he chuckled as well but we soon sobered up again.
"I know that we hadn't actually planned anything like this. And I know that none of us are exactly…well…err ready for this. And I'm nervous and scared as hell…" I rambled on but suddenly Sirius interrupted me by putting a finger to my lips.
"Love…slow down. I don't know if I can be ecstatic about his yet…I think it'll have to sink in first. But I do want kids with you so don't worry about that, we might not be ready but hey we can do anything right, babe? And you're not the only one scared shitless…" I laughed and hugged him. We ate dinner and Sirius finally understood what was up with Damien's fussing at lunch and demanded that he got a copy of that list. Great he was already going into overprotective mode. Later when we lay in bed Sirius popped up on his elbow looking at me, when he suddenly put his hand on my stomach.
"Does it feel any different?" he asked quietly staring at his hand that was making patterns on my bare stomach.
"No…not really…well except for the whole throwing up thing, and I get tired more easily…but otherwise…no. beside Ethan said that I would start to notice anything until my third month, and then it's mostly my boobs growing" Sirius eyes widened and I rolled mine.
"Really…well…I don't mind that"
"Of course you don't…" I muttered and he gave me a cheeky grin.
"Speaking of Ethan…he wants to see us both next week…Wednesday, December 6th…can you make it?" he nodded silently. We continued talking for at least an hour before we both fell asleep.
The morning after I told Sirius was like the previous one I flew out of bed and threw up, only this time a sleepy Sirius stumbled into the bathroom and held my hair back for me. When I was finished and had brushed my teeth and we both were sitting on the floor he said;
"So…this is how its going to be for a while, huh?" I just gave him a small glare and nodded. He grinned and ruffled my hair and then dragged me to the kitchen where he insisted on making me a very healthy omelette. And just as he was about to serve me that very tasty looking omelette and a steaming cup of coffee his eyes widened and he snatched the cup from me. I stared at him open mouthed when he gave me a glass of orange juice instead.
"Even I know that caffeine isn't good for you" he said grinning and I just pouted, how was I supposed to survive without coffee?
Sirius POV
It was now a week after Char told me the news; I still wasn't sure what to think of it. But I knew that I wasn't upset anymore… today I was going to meet this doctor she had been blabbing about…or well Damien had when he was at our place last night. We hadn't told anyone yet, but had planned on telling Lily and James after our appointment when we were going to have dinner at their place tonight. When we arrived at St Mungos the nurse told Char that Dr. Ryan was waiting and we could go strait through. I walked next to Char, oddly nervous toward the room. When we entered we were met by a blond man with a shining smile and even if it felt strange I had to agree…the guy was handsome.
"Char…so good to see you again! And this must be the lucky father to be, right? I am Dr. Ethan Ryan, your fiancé's healer, but I would prefer it if you called me Ethan." I shook his hand and said;
"Good to finally meet the man my fiancé's partner at work have been bugging me about, Sirius Black, just call me Sirius" I grinned at him and I noticed that his eyes sparkled at the mentioning of Damien. Hmm…interesting. He then instructed Char to sit and roll her shirt up and then he explained the procedure that he was going to do to us, I could easily see why Char was so happy and comfortable with having him as a healer. Even if I was slightly displeased by having another man touch my fiancé at first, I now knew that I had nothing to be worried about. He made some complex waves with his wand over Chars stomach and I took her hand in mine smiling encouragingly. She grinned back and then we both stared at the bubble that appeared.
"That part right there….that's your baby" Ethan said pointing. It was so…small…barely existent. Suddenly a thumbing sound echoed in the whole room, was that? Ethan confirmed my thoughts just a minute later when he stated quietly.
"And that…is your baby's heartbeat" I locked eyes with Char. We stared at each other silently, listening. That was the first time that everything really hit me. I was going to be a dad. Char and I were going to have a baby. And I smiled.
When we got back from the doctors I couldn't stop smiling and neither could Char.
"Its really more…real now…isn't it?" she said quietly when we got to our apartment. I nodded and grinned at her. Then we both started to make dinner…Lily and Prongs were going to be here in two hours after all…when everything was finished there was a nock on the door and I went to open it.
"Prongs! Have you finally learned how to knock?" he grinned and punched my arm while I hugged Lily and pointed to the kitchen where Char was.
"No…Lily made me…I told her it was unnecessary." I just laughed and then we made our way towards the kitchen where the girls were flipping through some magazine. When we had eaten I noticed that Prongs was more hyper then always and looked like he was going to burst any minute.
"Lily and I have some news!" he suddenly blurted out grinning madly.
"Really…so do we" I said in the same giddy tone. Lily raised an eyebrow and Prongs took her hand locking eyes with her and she just shook her head, rolled her eyes and nodded.
"Padfoot…Char…I am going to be a dad!" he screamed standing up grinning. I couldn't help but laugh and Char just smiled knowingly like she knew all along. Lily shook her head and then I looked at Char and she nodded.
"That's awesome Prongs…and guess what?" he looked at me with huge eyes and overall he looked like an overexcited kid.
"I am going to be a dad too!" his expression was hilarious and Lily just smiled like Char had.
"I knew it…that's why Damien has been so important about what you eat lately" she said smiling at Char and she just shrugged grinning. Soon prongs and I were patting each others backs and congratulating each other…Lily and Char were staring at each other. Suddenly they hugged tightly and screamed;
"I don't have to be fat alone!" Prongs and I just stared at them and then laughed. When that episode was over we all sat down and talked.
"I think we should tell mum all together" Prongs said.
"I was thinking about that too…I mean she's like a mum to me and Char too"
"And well my parents adore Char like niece or something so they would love to know too" Lily said smiling.
"How about this…we keep silent until Christmas. Celebrate said holiday all of us plus the parents together and tell them then?" Char said her eyes sparkling. We all thought about it and agreed. When Lily and Prongs left and Char and I were lying on the couch a brilliant idea popped up in my mind.
"Hey Char…I've been thinking…what if…" she listened to my proposition and grinned nodding.
"That sounds wonderful Sirius"
Chars POV
Christmas was approaching and things were hectic. Everyone wanted something special for different Christmas parties and Damien and I were swamped. It didn't really help that I got tired and moody very easily lately. But not even I a hormonal woman could be unhappy when Christmas Eve came. We had all decided to reveal the new arrivals to our little gang to the parents on Christmas Eve, today. Lily came to our place to get finished and we laughed and sang Christmas carols while baking cookies that we were going to take with us to the Christmas dinner at Mums, she had asked me to call her mum a year ago when she got tired of us calling her Mrs. P all the time. Sirius and James were just joking around occasionally helping us. I was just putting the last cookies on a plate when I felt a pair of arms wrap around me. I smiled as Sirius hands drifted to my stomach and he kissed my neck. I had noticed that lately, every time Sirius hugged me or something his hands always ended up at my stomach even when we slept. It was really cute, and I don't think he noticed himself.
"Love…why can't I have one cookie?"
"Because mum will kill me if you ruin your appetite" I said smiling at him. He just pouted and when I thought I wasn't looking, took a cookie after all. He was such a kid sometimes.
When we arrived at mum's, she had sold the old Potter mansion and moved into a very spacious town house after dad died, we were greeted by and enthusiastic mum.
"James, Lily, and darlings come in. Your parents are in the living room dear"
"Sirius, Char! You two rascals have to visit more often! Are you keeping her locked up somewhere Sirius!? Char you look absolutely radiating" she smiled and almost choked us with hugs. When she released us we smiled and said;
"Mum you look amazing"
"I brought cookies!" Sirius said holding the plate for her. She smiled widely and said;
"Thank you Char…and I'll tell Lily thanks for these as well, eh?" Sirius pouted.
"Did you actually think that I would fall for that dearie…I may be old, but I'm not stupid" she smiled and ushered us into the living room.
"Mum, you're not old, you don't look a day over thirty" Sirius said charmingly and mum laughed and patted his cheek, while everyone else in the room laughed as well.
"Always the charmer Sirius. But keep those wicked charms of yours to your fiancé" we said hello to Lily's parents and then made our way towards the dining room and I noticed mum eyeing me and Sirius suspiciously. I looked down and noticed Sirius was once again stroking my stomach and I discreetly swatted his hands away, he was going to give away the surprise. We sat down and cheerfully ate the wonderful Christmas dinner. And no one could ever have guessed that we were in the middle of a war. When dinner was finished we all retired to the living room again and sat down for tea. Sirius and I shared a look with Lily and James and they nodded, it was time. James cleared his throat and stood.
"We have a early Christmas surprise for you parents" he said smiling charmingly. The Evans looked at him curiously but mum obviously knew what was going on…when didn't she?
"Lily and I…are going to have a baby" Silence. Then a cheer erupted and they were smothered in hugs and well wishes.
"I am going to be a grandmother" Mrs. Evans said happily. Sirius cleared his throat and stood just like James had and they eyed him curiously.
"Well this feels stupid…but…Char and I also have a surprise, we are going to have a baby as well" the same reaction followed and mum smugly said;
"I knew it…well James and Lily wasn't as obvious as you two but…" Sirius gaped at mum and said;
"What do you mean obvious!?" she snickered and her eyes glinted mischievously when she said;
"Sirius…you have never been able to keep your hands to yourself…" here Sirius looked embarrassed and we laughed, mum continued;
"But lately your wandering hands always stray to your lovely girls stomach" she smiled and Sirius looked guilty.
"Well now we know that why the two of you seem to be glowing" Mrs. Evans said smiling at Lily and me. Soon Lily and I were engaged in a discussion about babies with the future grandmothers, while Sirius and James were talking to Mr. Evans.
James POV
We were talking to Mr. Evans about him becoming a grandfather and us as dads.
"Boys, listen carefully. Those girls of yours are going to be a bit moody for some time now, and you need to be prepared for that. They will also be very insecure about being…fat" I stared at him and Sirius said;
"But…we all know that it's not fat" Mr. Evans chuckled and said;
"I know that…we know that…they know that. But still, the girls are used to being slim and they are going to feel insecure about it" Sirius still looked unconvinced.
"But…Char really isn't that kind of girl…she doesn't normally care about things like that" Mr. Evans chuckled again and nodded;
"Neither was my Antonia, but she still became very upset when she started showing. They all do. So I suggest that you should have small gifts prepared to show them that you still care and find them as beautiful as ever…or else you probably will spend a couple of nights on the couch" Sirius and I nodded rapidly. Both of us taking mental notes.
"Jewellery always works" he said and winked. And then we all chuckled together. Then I noticed a gleam in Sirius eye and he shared a silent conversation with Char. She nodded slightly and smiled. I was confused…what were those two up too now? Suddenly they both stood and made their way up to stand in front of us, everyone looked at them curiously.
"As you all know, we are in engaged…have been for some time." Sirius began.
"And well…we've decided on a date" he continued grinning like a loon. All I could think was, finally.
"And since both of us always wanted a summer wedding on the beach or a winter wedding with the snow falling around us, we decided on one of those. But sine I am going to be huge as a whale when summer comes, we decided on a winter wedding…because we both agreed that we want to be married before the baby comes." Char continued smiling, winching a bit when she mentioned the "hug as a whale" part.
"So we both decided…that we are going to have our wedding…on December 30." Sirius said grinning. They were met by silence. I did a small calculation in my head and raised an eyebrow. Lily beat me to say anything though.
"Guys…you do realize that this is…six days away…less then a week, right?" they both nodded and Sirius shrugged.
"We don't want anything big."
"And Damien has been working on my dress for ages anyways" Char grinned. Then we all erupted in congratulations and then mum voiced her opinion.
"Well it's about time…but now we have a lot of planning to do." And Sirius and Char shared a look that said that they already had most of it planned. This certainly was a Christmas full of surprises.
An: I have had this chapter planned forever! And just wanted to type it down...its been spinning in my head for months now actually.
a)YES the dear Dr. Ethan Ryan is ..very x 10000...much based on one Dr. Carlisle Cullen. I have fallen inlove with that series and the movie was really cool...I swear Edward/Robert is hot but whne Dr Carlisle/Peter first appeared on screen...DAMN...half of the female population in that cinema swooned. I just know it...a huge GASP was heard atleast x)
B) do tell me what you think? and reviewers you guys make my day! loved every review and one review about Peter made me realise that I hate the guy so much that i has sort of forgotten about him...eer...heheh...oops? bu do not dispair...he will enter the plot more form now on and so will dear snape..i ahave it all in my head...x)
C) and CeliaLauna...ure/our dear Edward/Collins has arrived...x)
Love-Snuffles-sweetie