Chapter Eighty-five;
"I want to stay!" Aidan stated for the twentieth time, his arms crossed against his chest and a glare that could easily top Severus'.
"No." Sirius said dryly.
"Sirius, maybe we should—"
"No!" Sirius ordered. "What if Narcissa, Lucius, and I get into a fight? Aidan doesn't need to be around yelling."
"Then don't yell!" Aidan shouted, stomping his foot.
Sirius sighed, opening his mouth to respond but the door open and Harry stepped in, smiling. "Hi, Snuffles. Aidan, ready?"
"No!" Aidan growled.
"Come on, I'll take you flying." Harry beamed.
"Flying?" Aidan widened his eyes, running to Harry and leaping into his arms.
"Why the hell didn't we think of that?" Sirius asked with a sigh.
Harry chuckled and waved. "Bye," he said as he walked out with Aidan, closing the door behind him.
Sirius shook his head and headed back into his room to change into some nice dress robes as Severus didn't want him 'making a bad impression' which made Sirius scoff. Severus, who was already dressed in just a comfortable button-up t shirt and trousers since 'he was pregnant and could dress any damn way he pleased' went into the kitchen to make sure the wine was set up as well as to ask Whisper if she was finished with the meal.
When both were finished, they met in the living room just in time to see the fire flash green and out step both Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy. Lucius nodded to both of them as a greeting and Narcissa… did something which surprised everyone, she crossed the room and gave Severus a hug. Severus quirked his eyebrow and returned the hug.
"Lucius told me. Congratulations."
"She's already went shopping…"
"Shh," Narcissa glared at Lucius who bit back a chuckle.
"Narcissa, you really didn't have—" Severus began.
"You hush too, I only bought a few outfits that I knew would make your baby girls look just stunning, and I plan to buy a lot more as soon as Lucius leaves for work tomorrow in the morning."
"Wha—" Lucius began but was silenced by a glare and then a smirk from his wife.
Severus snorted. "We know who the man is in your relationship, Luci."
"We know who the man is in yours obviously as well," Lucius snickered back, both him and Severus shaking their head and walking into the kitchen together.
"Men…" Narcissa rolled her eyes before turning her attentions to Sirius.
She folded her hands over his chest, staring at the taller wizard. Of course they were family, cousins, but she hadn't really spoken to him since he was twelve at the last Christmas party their family had hosted before her own mother passed. She would've attempted to speak to him more in his later years as she did Regulus, but her father advised her with her oldest sister to not contact him as he was marked 'blood-traitor' by the family. She was never one to judge on blood, but actions, which is why she never made for a good Death Eater, just really supporting her husband.
"Congratulations, Sirius." She said softly.
"Thanks." He said awkwardly back.
"I just want you to know… Severus is family to Lucius, Draco, and I. You hurt him… we'll kill you," She said bluntly.
Sirius chuckled. "No worry there, I assure you."
"Good then." Narcissa nodded. "Now, have you thought of names?"
"N-names?"
"For your twin girls. It's bad luck if you don't have any names picked out before the baby is born…"
"Odd, muggles say just the opposite."
Narcissa rolled her eyes. "Muggles are daft."
Sirius smiled. "Well, no, we haven't discussed names."
"How far along is he?"
"Nine weeks… but the babies grow faster—"
"Because of their magical core, yes, I know. So, baby size… thirteen weeks?"
"Something like that."
"You should definitely choose out names, you'll be able to talk to the baby soon."
"Really? When?"
"Eighteen weeks."
"Do you… know a lot about pregnancy?"
"Of course I do. I had the Mediwizard tell me every little detail when I was pregnant with little Draco."
"Could you tell me some stuff?"
"Do you have specific questions?"
Sirius went into thought for a moment. "Yeah, I do."
"Then of course I will, give those two in the kitchen some time to talk about… Quidditch, or whatever they speak about," she waved her hands before heading over to the liquor cabinet and pulling out two glasses as well as a bottle of wine.
Sirius smiled and claimed a seat on the couch, watching as Narcissa claimed the one next to him and handed him a glass, pouring him some wine as well as herself before they both took a sip to ease the awkward atmosphere. She glanced over at him and gave him a nod to signal for his first question.
"Okay, first… when can I feel them move?"
"Hard question, Severus… will feel them anywhere between fourteen and twenty-one weeks. You will be able to feel them… sixteen at the earliest all the way up until maybe the thirtieth week. It's hard to tell, depends on how big Severus gets, how active they are…"
"How much can they hear?"
"Their mother… they can hear better, or they understand because they hear the mother's voice first. Yours they will hear muffling until their ears are fully developed near the end of the pregnancy. So, humming or singing is a nice thing to do."
"Is there… anything I can do to stop the mood swings?"
Narcissa giggled. "You're only just now noticing his mood swings?" She teased.
"Well… they've gotten worse."
"Just agree with him… let him think what he wants, he isn't in his right mind. Pregnancy makes us a bit crazy." She admitted. "If he cries, just hold him, he'll be fine. He just needs to know you're there."
"Alright."
"Is that all?"
"I think so."
"If you need anything else, or have any other questions, I'm here, just floocall me."
"Thanks, Cis."
She grinned at the nickname. "No problem, Siri."
Both finished their wine in silence, just as Sirius took his last drink Severus entered and motioned for them to come into the kitchen. Sirius stood up as well as Narcissa and both headed in behind Severus, claiming their seats next to their husbands at the table and grabbing their silverware to begin eating. Conversation slowly made way as Lucius discussed work with Severus and Narcissa muttering for them to begin speaking English again which amused Sirius. Sirius was partially glad that none had said anything to upset another, nor did any seem to be walking on eggshells.
As dessert arrived, the conversation fell back to the children. "Sirius tells me you have yet to name the babies?"
"We haven't discussed it," Severus answered.
"Well, do you know the surname they're taking?" She asked.
"Black." Severus answered. Sirius pondered if he should say he wouldn't mind them taking 'Black-Snape' or 'Snape-Black', but he let it go.
"So they're Black's. You are naming them after—"
"Constellations or stars?" Severus added in.
Sirius frowned. "I don't know…"
"It's tradition," Narcissa frowned before glancing at Lucius and shaking her head. "I'm sorry. It's your choice."
"Sirius, if you don't want to-"
"No, It's fine. If you want to name them following tradition, we can. I just… didn't want you think just because I'm a Black we had to."
"Well, I like some of the names that are female for constellation and stars."
"Oh?" Sirius asked curiously.
"I find Cassiopeia just lovely," Narcissa stated.
"Yes, I like that one as well as Lyra." Severus nodded.
"Leo, for a boy is lovely as well." Narcissa added.
The two went on about star and constellation names, obviously losing both Lucius and Sirius – though Sirius found it a bit sad he didn't know half the things they listed, then again he disliked Astronomy in school because of his family. The discussion of children names of both genders continued until they heard a knock at the door and then a moment later Harry stepped into the kitchen with Aidan.
"Oh, sorry…" Harry apologized.
"It's fine," Sirius beamed.
"Mr. Malfoy, Mrs. Malfoy," Harry nodded.
"Hello, Mr. Potter," Narcissa smiled politely. All he received from Lucius was a nod though it bothered Harry none.
"Papa!" Aidan called, getting out of Harry's grip and rounding the table to climb into Severus' lap, leaning against him. "I missed you."
"Oh, he is just the cutest," Narcissa complimented.
Aidan glanced up and smiled. "I get my cuteness from father."
Sirius grinned from ear to ear. "Right you do, pup."
"I'm going to go; I'll see you later, Snuffles." Harry waved. "Bye everyone." He said before leaving.
"Papa, I'm tired." Aidan whined.
"Sirius, what time is it?" Severus asked curiously.
"A bit after ten," Lucius answered after glancing at his pocket watch.
"Oh my! Lucius, we should be going." Narcissa said as she stood up followed by her husband and Severus.
"Severus, this was a lovely meal. We must do this again." Narcissa smiled.
"Of course, Cissy." Severus smiled back.
"Bye, little Aidan, goodbye, Sirius." She said before walking out.
"I'll owl you later for the next meeting." Lucius said to Severus, nodding his head to Sirius who nodded back.
"Aidan," Severus began, putting the boy on the ground. "Go get ready for bed."
"Okay!" Aidan beamed, running out of the room.
Severus and Sirius both began to put away everything that wasn't ate or putting the dirty dishes into the sink so they could magic them clean. Severus grinned and crossed the room, snuggling into Sirius' arms. Sirius smiled and wrapped his arms around Severus, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "Love?"
"Thank you."
"For?"
"Not starting any fights, or something of the sort."
"They aren't that bad…" Sirius admitted, raising Severus' head to kiss him on the lips.
"Ew!" Aidan said as he entered the kitchen in his pajamas, crossing his arms. "Why is it every time I enter you guys are lip locked?" He asked in an annoyed tone.
"Maybe it's a signal to leave us alone?" Sirius teased at his son before releasing Severus and lifting Aidan into his arms.
"I want a bedtime story…" Aidan demanded.
"I believe it's your turn to do that. I'm going to take a bath." Severus said as he walked out.
Sirius frowned. "Wait! I told him one last night!" Sirius called, though he wasn't answered as Severus had already hurried to the bedroom and closed the door. Sirius sighed and ruffled Aidan's hair. "Bedtime story!" He said cheerfully before walking out of the kitchen and to Aidan's room.