Chapter 18
A couple of weeks later, Alicia and Warrington were standing in the elaborate gardens of the Greengrass Estate on a beautiful sunny day. The area was set up with chairs and an aisle. People were milling around catching up and mingling before the ceremony.
Alicia stood by Warrington's side with her arm looped in his. He wore a well tailored tuxedo looking immaculate and handsome as always. Alicia wore a long beautiful jade strapless gown with a sweet heart line and soft cascading layers of chiffon. Her hair was pulled back into a French roll and she wore small gold earrings matched with gold clutch purse and heels. Her makeup was natural accentuating her beautiful features, even in the rich coloured gown she was still demure and incredibly beautiful without being gawdy like the other women in attendance like Pansy who wore a slinky olive dress with a thigh slit with makeup to the nines. He was sure it appealed to some men but not him.
Warrington couldn't take his eyes off Alicia as the colour of her dress suited her skin tone accentuating her olive complexion. He also couldn't help but notice the slight changes to her body as Alicia finally started put on weight as her health had returned to her not the pregnancy which she had yet to inform him about. He knew his mother was dying to go into 'grandmother' mode but Alicia's silence meant all of that would have to wait.
He wasn't sure why she hadn't told him yet but assumed she was waiting to pass some significant time mark. He knew she was working half days at the shop with the Weasley's doing mail orders than potion making. Something that made him relieved as Montague was already giving him lectures about prenatal care and pregnant women. Something he never thought he see or hear in his life from his oldest friend.
"Did I mention how much I love you in this dress today" he said in a low voice to her, Alicia turned and looked up at him with a salacious smile.
"Don't get used to it" she told him.
"Why not?" he asked slightly disappointed at not seeing her in green more often. He liked the colour on her, not because it was slytherin colours but because it suited her complexion and gave her a natural glow. Though that could be the fact they had made love that morning. It amused him to no end that he would put the contraceptive charm on her and she would glow and overide it. It was redundant as Alicia was pregnant but it amused him.
"Your mother told it's a social faux pas to wear the same dress twice thus it will be the only time I wear green" Alicia told him.
"I could charm your wardrobe" he said, Alicia chuckled at the thought. She and Warrington were getting along very well. She felt content with her life for the first time in a long while. She looked in the mirror and saw a healthy and happy woman looking back instead of a skinny shell. She still hadn't told Warrington she was pregnant but she was planning to tell him. She just found it incredibly hard to get the words out, it wasn't like she could just blurt it out or say it casually over dinner.
"Then I could charm your wardrobe pink" Alicia said.
"I think I would look quite smashing in hot pink. How is your magic progressing?" Warrington asked her. He asked her this every few days just to polite but he never showed any concern or disappointment when she said she couldn't do much or felt nothing. It was like that everyone once and awhile she would feel nothing and other days she would be able to perform simple spells. Levitating things and she managed to vanish something but nothing major or earth shattering.
"It's still weak but Montague said it will take a while" Alicia said, she would have to tell him that Montague was having a ball with the fact that she was pregnant to the point he made a taste testing session for prenatal vitamin and mineral potions. That Montague told her that the baby would also impede her magic for the next few weeks until the second trimester. She was already scared and barely three weeks had gone by.
"Speaking of, he's here with someone we know" Warrington commented as he looked over her shoulder and gave the tilt of his head gesturing she look herself.
"Maura?" Alicia asked as she turned and saw Montague in arm and arm with Katie Bell. Alicia hadn't seen Katie since the night they went drinking as the afternoon tea they were supposed to have had been cancelled.
She smiled as Katie and Montague joined them, Katie wore a deep red wine floor length sleeveless gown with a deep v neck collar in a silk with a soft lace overlay. Her blonde hair hung loose in soft curls around her shoulders.
"Katie!" Alicia said in greeting the two women hugged and looked over one another. "You look beautiful" Alicia told her.
"So do you! Wow you look really good" Katie told her as she gave Alicia the once over with her eyes.
"See being with a Slytherin is good for one's health" Montague said as he greeted Alicia with a kiss on the cheek and a nod to Warrington. Montague was in a tuxedo same as Warrington's.
"I'm not convinced" Katie said dryly.
"I healed you and brought you to a wedding where there will be cake and booze. Maybe if you ask really nicely I'll sleep with you" Montague told Katie. Katie rolled her eyes at him and laughed.
"Please I just have to snap my fingers and you'd be all over this" Katie told him gesturing to her body.
"Did I miss something here?" Alicia asked gesturing to them as if they had started dating and Alicia hadn't been informed. Katie laughed as she knew what Alicia was saying and so did Montague as they both shook their heads at the notion.
"No, I fell off my broom at practice yesterday and he was the Healer on call" Katie said.
"I get free box tickets" Montague said as that was enough for him to do the job. "So I was kissing her boo boos better when she mentioned she hadn't seen you in a while and I thought why not bring her along to the wedding as my date instead of being a third wheel and flirting with Warrington's Mother" Montague said.
"You'll still do it anyway" Warrington said.
"But when she rejects me. I have Bell to drink with to soothe my bruised ego since you have the ever glowing Miss Spinnet" Montague said. Alicia smiled at the comment as Montague had seen her a few days ago and promptly annoyed her for an hour saying almost begging she show him how she glows in the dark and then talked about babies and her health and when she was going to tell Warrington. Most part it was amusing.
"He has it all worked out." Katie said dryly before she hugged Alicia "But I just wanted to see my girl and since I was only free today. I decided to put on a fancy dress and eat cake with my bestie and see her" Katie said, she looked to Warrington "Good to see you too Warrington. I hope you don't mind if I monopolise Alicia a little today"
"I have no objections. I would never keep Alicia from her friends" Warrington said.
"Well I for one appreciate you keeping my girl in excellent condition" Katie said with a smile as she hadn't seen Alicia look so healthy since before the war. She hated the rift between Alicia and Angelina but knew better to stay out of it and not mention it at a wedding.
"I do my best" Warrington replied.
"Where is your beautiful mother?" Montague asked looking around.
"Talking with Lucius and Narcissa" Warrington said gesturing to his mother standing with said couple. His mother was wearing a royal blue witches robes as the older generations tended to stick with traditional fashions for formal occasions. A bell sounded as a signal for people to take their seats as it was the beginning of the ceremony.
"My goodness, I should have made you a bridesmaid. I feel as though you are outshining me" Astoria said when she and Draco made it to their table at the reception. The Wedding Ceremony had been beautiful and so had the reception so far which was being held in the Greengrass Ballroom. It had been a delicious three course meal and dancing, though it was traditional dances such as the Waltz, Foxtrot etc. The dancefloor was filled with couples dancing. Warrington and Alicia had indulged in a four dances before joining the others back at the table for speeches.
After speeches the dances resumed and people mingled, Alicia was waiting for the cake to appear even though she was full from the three course meal she wanted the cake. Draco and Astoria were currently making the rounds.
"Please, the only eyes I have caught in this room are Warrington's. The rest are on you as you are a gorgeous bride. Thank you for inviting us" Alicia said to Astoria who was wearing beautiful white witches robes that were heavily embellished with silver embroidery and crystal beads.
"Yes it has been a lovely day" Warrington said looking at Alicia with a soft smile before looking back up at the couple as Alicia and he hadn't gotten up from their seats.
"So when are we all going to hear announcements from the house of Warrington about your upcoming nuptials?" Astoria asked.
"That is the answer we are all waiting to hear" Montague said as Maura, Katie perked at this question.
"Yeah" Katie said. Alicia and Warrington looked at one another for a moment sharing a secret smile of sorts before Warrington answered.
"In time" Warrington said cryptically though he was smiling at Alicia as she always let him take that question "We aren't in any rush" he said. The answer didn't appease the women who wanted an exact date but the men nodded.
"Don't you just like how they morphed into a 'we'?" Montague commented to Katie the two had been acted like a regular peanut gallery at the table with Maura as if Alicia and Warrington were their favourite TV show.
"Well they are always together, they have morphed into one being" Katie teased.
"It's called being love and having a partner in life. You'll only understand when you find that special woman" Maura told Montague.
"What if I found her?" Montague said looking at Maura implying she was said woman.
"That special woman is not my mother" Warrington informed him, those at the table laughed while Montague pretended to look forlorn for amusement sake. Draco and Astoria stayed for a few more minutes before they moved onto the next table.
"I have to say Alicia green is your colour" Montague said.
"You should see her in red" Katie told him.
"Yet another Gryffindor quirk of having to wear red to everything" Montague said.
"You bought me this dress. You could have bought green" Katie said the others looked at Montague with raised eyebrows as they didn't expect Montague to go to such lengths.
"Because green is not your colour. I know I have good taste in women's clothing. Try not to be shocked." he said sarcastically to the others.
"Why did you buy her a dress?" Alicia asked.
"Because she has no taste" Montague replied.
"Oh excuse me?" Katie said insulted.
"I should. That dress you wore to the last Quidditch Gala Ball was hideous" Montague informed her.
"Angelina helped me pick out that dress" Katie said Montague sat back and gave a tilt of the head.
"Why am I not surprised? The woman knows her suits but all other fashion styles elude her" Montague saidvthoughtfully.
"Oh and what makes you the authority of women's fashion" Alicia asked him.
"Stripping many women out of said fashion" Montague said smugly. The women pulled faces at him of disapproval and slight disgust as no man should discuss his conquests. "Anyway Bell, tell me you don't love the dress" he said.
"I don't love the dress" Katie deadpanned, she loved the dress. She was insulted when he showed up with the invitation to the wedding and the dress. Like she couldn't dress herself.
"Liar" Flint said from behind all turned to see Marcus Flint walk up to the table.
"Flint, didn't know you were coming today. You remember Katie Bell" Montague said gesturing to Katie, Flint and Katie looked one another over noting the changes the last few years had made them.
"Yet another Gryffindor joins the dark side" Flint said after a moment.
"The booze is better at a Slytherin Party but the music leaves something to be desired" Katie said as she took a sip of her champagne something that had not slipped anyone's attention was Alicia's untouched glass of champagne on the table. She had been drinking water all evening.
"We are more civilised" Flint mused as he held out his hand to her, Katie raised an eyebrow at him. "May have this dance?" he asked her so she knew what he was asking with no room for interpretation.
"Sure, just don't get fresh. I have no problem kicking your ass if a hand wanders in a red zone" Katie said as she placed her hand in his and got to her feet.
"I'll try to contain any amorous urges I have" Flint remarked to her as they moved to the dance floor.
"Oh snap, Flint just stole your date" Alicia said to Montague with a chuckle.
"She's like a lion cub in a den of snakes. Alicia, I would ask you to dance but I prefer to hold Maura in my arms" Montague said as he turned away from Alicia to move next to Maura who was seated beside Warrington and proceeded to shower the older woman in flattery.
Alicia turned to Warrington "I'd ask you to dance but four dances in a row would be considered scandalous" he told her with a smile.
"Oh no I'm quite happy to sit here and wait for the cake" Alicia told him, she stopped for a moment "We do get cake right?" she asked.
"Yes, I believe it will be after the next waltz" he said with a smile as he intertwined his fingers with hers.
"You still worried about having to call Montague 'Daddy'?" Alicia teased as she gestured to Montague was waltzing with Maura on the Dance floor. Flint and Katie looked to holding an interesting conversation as they danced.
"No my mother has better taste" he said with a chuckle as Maura adjusted Montague's hand back to her waist. Alicia turned back to face Warrington.
"I think you should meet my Grandfather" Alicia said.
"I'd like that" he said returning his attention to her.
"Good he'll be in town next week, we usually have lunch. Shall I make a reservation for 3 people?" Alicia asked.
"I'll be there" he said, slices of cake appeared at the place setting and Alicia smiled as picked up her fork. "Share?" he asked as Alicia had a slice of vanilla cake while his was chocolate. He knew Alicia like chocolate as much as he did as Alicia was eyeing his piece of cake. She nodded and picked up her plate and placed in the middle of their settings and did the same with his before she took a bite of his cake slice first.
"Mmm this is good" she said as she finished two bites one of each cake.
"I agree, so when are you going to tell me that you're pregnant?" Warrington asked as he ate a bite of the cake looking at his fork incredibly calm and casual like he asked her if she was going to the park next week or not. He was glad he waited for Alicia to swallow the cake in her mouth otherwise she would have probably choked.
"I- how did you know?" Alicia asked him trying to recover from her own shock that he knew.
"You haven't had any alcohol, you didn't eat any soft cheeses and you've lowered the amount of raw fish you eat and your caffeine intake has dropped dramatically. I also found the prenatal vitamin and mineral potion when I was looking for tooth paste" he said with a smirk. He had to dig into the cupboards deeply to find said potion and it was nowhere near where he kept the spare tooth paste but he wanted to celebrate. Though they weren't in the most ideal location, he figured he'd bring it up now as there were too many witnesses for her to create a scene.
"Well I guess I wasn't exactly hiding it very well. I wanted to tell you I've just been in a happy little bubble of disbelief with everything that's happening. I knew it would be a monkey wrench" Alicia said guiltily, she winced slightly as she expected him to react poorly. She was in for a surprise.
"It's not a monkey wrench to me but I understand. It isn't something that was planned and now is not the time for a serious conversation but I was becoming impatient waiting for you to tell me as I for one am very happy with the news" he told her before taking another bite of the cake. He watched the blank look of surprise on her features.
"You are? Even though it's my fault?" Alicia asked as she wasn't sure how he'd react but the fact he was so accepting and calm about it was reassuring, surprising and a tiny bit annoying as she was freaking out most of time. Even now she was freaking out by thinking about the future and having a kid even with everything going so well.
"It's not your fault. Not every charm is 100% effective, we both know what we want and this doesn't change anything. It just speeds up a few things." He said as he cut out another bite of cake with his fork.
"You're perfect, seriously do you have any flaws? Besides not being good at sharing with others. Leave some of the chocolate cake for me" she said as the chocolate cake slice was nearly demolished in comparison to the vanilla cake that was half eaten.
"I was wondering when you'd noticed" he said with a smile before he ate the last bite.
"I was looking forward to more than one bite" Alicia said in a mocking tone even though she didn't care.
"Well we can steal Montague's slice before he comes back from the bar" Warrington suggested.
"I like the way you think" Alicia said before she could make the switch, Warrington picked up the plate with half eaten vanilla cake slice and traded it with Montague's untouched chocolate cake slice. Those on the dance floor returned to their chairs. Alicia and Warrington shared the slice of cake waiting for Montague's return while engaging in light conversation with Maura.
Montague returned to the table and placed a fresh glass of champagne in front of Maura and took his seat beside Alicia with his scotch in hand. He looked down at his plate at the half demolished vanilla cake and frowned before looking at the couple next to them.
"You seriously think I wouldn't notice?" Montague asked lifting his plate showing the half eaten piece of cake.
"It was Cassius's idea" Alicia said after she swallowed a bite of cake..
"Sell out" Warrington said to Alicia before eating a bite of the said cake.
"If you don't want the cake I'll eat it" Alicia told Montague innocently as she had her fork ready but Montague pulled the plate away from her.
"Oh no, you can have my oldest friend but you cannot have this half consumed piece of cake. You gave it to me and I am keeping it to myself" Montague told her in an uppity manner. Alicia pouted at him to which he narrowed his eyes. "Don't bother the puppy eyes won't work on me unless it's Maura" he told her as he moved into Katie's chair and swapped the name tags and placing Katie's slice of cake in place.
"Oo cake" Katie said as she took the empty seat next to Alicia. Completely oblivious as she picked up her fork and began to eat.
"Maybe if Bell turned on her baby blues too but not you" Montague told Alicia.
"What?" Kate asked as she looked up.
"Nothing, so did Flint sweep you off your feet or step on your toes?" Montague drawled.
"He was fine, like all you men just trying to get me out of my dress. It's not going happen" Katie said before she took a bite of her cake.
"Good, you can do better than the unattached men in this room" Maura told Katie as she took a sip of her champagne.
"Harsh. I'm sitting right here" Montague said defensively.
"It's no secret you love the hunt Graham but once it's over you get bored and move on" Maura stated.
"True, I am honest about who I am and what I want, I won't apologise for it." Montague said accepting Maura's assumption of his character.
"It definitely takes you out of the running for Miss Bell" Maura told him.
"That and I'd have to kick your ass if you hurt my girl" Alicia said.
"Ok for the record Montague you're not my type" Katie said.
"Really? The tabloids say anything male with a pulse" Montague said.
"Montague!" Maura and Alicia said in unison of disapproval and disgust at his repugnant comment.
"Whoa that was creepy" Montague said.
"You honestly believe the tabloids?" Alicia asked him.
"If I did, then I would be annoyed and insulted that you didn't include me in the secret wedding that you supposedly had. I am Warrington's oldest friend I expect to be the best man at the wedding" Montague told her.
"There's a speech I can't wait hear" Katie said with a chuckle.
"Hey you know if you're the maid of honour it's customary for us to-" Montague started only to be cut off.
"Yeah not in this lifetime buddy" Katie told him.
"Well now I have something to look forward to" Montague drawled to Katie.
"It's so nice to have someone deflect his attentions" Maura said to Alicia and Warrington as Katie and Montague continued to bicker and borderline flirting.
"So how is everything going in your world?" Alicia asked Maura making conversation as they hadn't had a chance to catch up.
"Perfectly fine, been busy renovating my house" Maura told her with a serene smile.
"Again? Didn't you do that 2 months ago?" Warrington asked.
"Oh honey all I have is money and time. So I renovate my house, travel and have many-"
"Oh I don't need to know the last part" Warrington said as he knew his mother indulged in having lovers which was her business.
"You and I should have tea this week because I like hearing your stories" Alicia said.
"I'd like that dear" Maura said as Warrington squirmed at the thoughts of his mother having sex.
"I heard tea and girl talk? May I join?" Katie asked breaking away from her conversation with Montague.
"Of course" Maura said.
"Can I come too?" Montague asked.
"No" all three of women said, Warrington chuckled as Montague drank his scotch pretending once again to be put out.
TBC~ Cya all next week!