A/N: I know, I'm horrible at this but I do greatly appreciate your reviews and patience.. if you're still reading this story, please enjoy! :-)
Chapter 28
Warrington sat down beside Alicia on the lounge in the library and interlaced his fingers with hers. He was dressed for work and she comfortably dressed in loose yoga pants and a grey t-shirt. He squeezed her hand gently, a sign that he was giving her support as he could see Healer Kessell's bedside manner was not sitting well with Alicia. Dr Kessell who sat in an arm chair opposite them seemed quite oblivious to Alicia's tense demeanour as she looked over Alicia's medical records for the fifth time since arriving.
"Healer Montague brought me up to speed on your case and Alicia; your medical history. Now I have to say I'm quite surprised that the pregnancy is taking" Dr Kessell said, she was a woman in her late thirties with severely quaffed hair and a matching suit. She was not what Alicia imagined as for a woman in Obstetrics and gynocology. She kind of expected a mother of the earth type of woman not this cold and detached woman who made Alicia feel like she was a meat puzzle.
"Why?" Alicia asked her.
"Most people cursed over a long period of time end up with permanent health complications that would interfere with fertility among other functions. But all the diagnostic spells have shown that your blood is clean, your organs are slowly regenerating to a healthy state. The pregnancy is progressing well-"
"So I'm good?" Alicia asked impatiently as she wanted the woman to leave. Dr Kessell looked up and gave her a closed lipped smile.
"Yes but you do need to increase your food intake and take the anti-nausea potions. They are tailored for pregnant women so it's safe to consume but no more than two vials a day. One in the morning and the other at night until the second trimester by then your hormones will have balanced out and you won't need them" Dr Kessell told her.
"That would be great, I'm not a fan of throwing my food back up" Alicia said in a smart arse manner.
"No one is, now that is all the information I have for you today. Do you two have any questions?" Dr Kessell asked.
"Ah yeah is there a charm that we can use to cover up the bump?" Alicia asked, she was only 9 weeks but she had a noticeable bump, Warrington told her it wasn't that big but to her lithe frame it was enough to get her attention and her jeans were getting snug. Kessell gave her a look that made Alicia feel like she was being a Diva for not wanting to show off the fact she was pregnant.
"No, I wouldn't recommend you performing any spells or charms to yourself. Your magic is currently intertwined with the baby's. It will give you a boost in powers but it can also make your magic in general quite volatile especially in the first trimester." Dr Kessell told her.
"What about him casting it on me?" Alicia said gesturing to Warrington. The woman frowned and shook her head.
"No, I still wouldn't recommend it and anyway you're just beginning, no one will know they'll just think you've put on some weight. Say it's part and parcel of your recovery" Dr Kessell assured her.
"Nice" Alicia said dryly as she wasn't sure what was better. Having everyone think she was pregnant or that she was getting fat. Probably the latter as it would give her a reprieve from all the Slytherin Gryffindor mating jokes that the twins would come up with.
"Or the comforts of being in a relationship" Warrington said trying to inject some levity into the conversation as Alicia wore a grim expression.
"Yeah well you don't seem to be getting soft around the middle" Alicia told him.
"I'm not growing another person inside of me" he said with an amused smile.
"Any other questions?" Dr Kessell asked.
"No" Warrington said.
"Ok, well I also want you both to know that I'm going to make you a high risk patient on my client list. As such you will be able to contact me 24/7 and a hospital bed at your nearest medical facility will be reserved-" Dr Kessell started but Alicia cut her off.
"Whoa, wait. I thought everything was fine" Alicia said, concern filling her as she wondered what Dr Kessell was keeping from her.
"And it is but I prefer to err on the side of caution. I just wanted you to be aware and to give you peace of mind. Now since that is all, I will be on my way" Dr Kessell said, she rose from her chair and picked up her briefcase, sliding Alicia's medical file inside.
"I'll see you out" Warrington said as he released Alicia's hand and rose from the chair. He gestured towards the door and Dr Kessell took his cue leaving the room. Alicia stayed as she was on the lounge and waited as she really didn't feel like being chatty with Dr Kessell and pretending that she found the woman agreeable. After a few minutes, Warrington returned to the library and sat down beside her again.
"So, your thoughts?" he asked as he placed his arm around her shoulder and leaned back on the lounge comfortably.
"She's very professional" Alicia remarked carefully. She had to admit she preferred Montague's smart ass attitude and jokes to Dr Kessell distant and professional attitude.
"Yes, nothing like Montague" Warrington remarked.
"She kind of scared me with the whole high risk thing" Alicia said as she leaned her head on his shoulder.
"You shouldn't be" He said pressing his lips to her forehead. She took a deep breath enjoying the scent of him.
"I'm not having a boy" She told him. Warrington laughed as they had this argument a lot and it had become incredibly amusing game between them.
"How do you know?" Warrington asked her.
"Because Seers are notoriously wrong" Alicia told her.
"Ok maybe the sex of the child is wrong but you still have a healthy child" He pointed out to her, he knew she was worried about O'Callaghan's visions of her death and wondered if she was worried about the baby bump because it was like a countdown to her demise.
"And you go to Gaol in that little scenario" She said poking his side, he could hear the smile on her face.
"Won't happen just like your vision of your demise" he promised her.
"Let's not talk about this" Alicia said as she sat up and looked at him. He brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and nodded.
"Ok, well sadly I have to go to work" He said, he rose off the lounge and Alicia laid back onto the lounge making herself comfortable as she knew he would tell her to lie down. She was just saving time.
"Hmm fine leave me to my own devices" She teased.
"I will be back in the afternoon. You take care of yourself and our child" He told her, he leaned over her and she prepared for him to kiss her but instead he moved his head down to her lower abdomen and lifted the hem of her t-shirt up.
"What are you doing?" She asked.
"I'm kissing our child goodbye" he said as placed a gentle kiss just below her navel.
"And it starts" She said ominiously. Warrington smiled as he moved back up to her body to her face.
"And you love it" he said before he leaned in and kissed her.
"O'Loughlin, there's a kid to see you about an owl" Cillian's bartender said.
Cillian draped the tea towel he had been using over his shoulder and looked to the grubby looking kid standing at the open door of his pub. He walked around the bar and over to the door.
"Hey Boy, what you have for me" Cillian asked the kid.
"I got a message from the Bowman for you sir" The kid told him.
"Aye, go ahead" Cillian said folding his arms looking down at him. The kid pulled a piece of paper out of his shabby coat.
"The toff, 'is name is Theodore Knott and he'd be seen with the other toffs on this here paper. That's all he could get" The kid told him, he held out the piece of paper to Cillian who took it from him.
"You can tell Bowman that if this pans out I'll consider his debt repaid. Now begone" Cillian said with a wave of his hand.
"Yes Sir" The boy said, he turned on his feet and started walking away as quickly as he could. Cillian found the boy's innate fear of him but then Cillian was used to intimidating people especially children.
"Wait" He called the boy stopped and Cillian tossed the boy a sickle "For your trouble kid" he said as the kid caught the coin.
"Sign here" Mr Fraser said to Warrington, Mr Fraser was the company's solicitor and they had spent the better part of the morning going over Warrington's will as he felt the need to update it, he also had an appointment at Gringotts to open two accounts. An account for Alicia and a trust fund for their child, just incase the worst happened he wanted to be prepared.
He was halfway through signing the document when the door to his office slammed open. He looked up to see Aleksandra stroll in with Samia his sectary three steps behind demanding she return to the waiting room.
"Cassius Warrington the third, what is the meaning of this?" Aleksandra said, she held up a long parchment in her hand and threw it on the desk it was a magicked copy of the will he was currently signing. He placed his pen down and waved at Samia to leave them. The secretary did and closed the door behind her.
"I thought you were intelligent but how mistaken I was in that assumption. Changing your will to include that trollop and-"
"You're fired" Warrington said calmly to the solicitor, he tore up the document he had been halfway through signing and the copy on the desk tore itself up. He couldn't believe the lack of privacy in his own company.
"What?" Fraser said baffled.
"You heard me, I pay your bills and yet you've broken client confidentiality. Expect a call from my new solicitor, I'll be suing you for breach of contract. In fact the whole legal department can go with you. HR will sort out the rest. Have a good day Mr Fraser" Warrington said coldly. Fraser rose from his chair ashened and left the room while Warrington looked at his grandmother through narrowed eyes.
"Please, it isn't necess-" Aleksandra started to say but Warrington cut her off. To say he was angry would be an understatement but he kept calm on the outside.
"It is, I run the company now, when I make my will it should be between myself, the solicitor and whomever I make my executor which is not you. And while I know you own a small percentage of the company and it's stock holding it does not give you the rights to insider information" Warrington told Aleksandra.
"How dare you, Warrington Industries wouldn't be half the company it is without me" Aleksandra said.
"Actually Warrington Industries wouldn't be the company it is if it were for all of the people we pay to do their jobs effectively and efficiently. But if you want to lay claim to the fortunes then by all means publically take credit for the illegal practices that started the capital for company. My hands are clean and I'm young enough that I can start from scratch again" Warrington told her.
"Your insolences is unnecessary" Aleksandra said petulantly.
"My Insolence? I was not the one who barged in here acting like a child over decisions that do not involve you"
"How dare you speak to me like that! Your decisions do affect me"
"Actually it affects my mother as she was going to inherit my holdings and estate but now in the unlikely event may I die before either of you. A suitable amount will go to Alicia and any offspring we may produce." Warrington said.
"You won't produce anything with that sickly woman" Aleksandra said scathingly. Warrington felt the strongest desire to tell her she was wrong but felt better to keep it to himself.
"Her health has improved or have you not seen our picture in the Daily Prophet? I feel sometimes that they are stalking us" Warrington remarked idly. He rose from his chair and buttoned his coat.
"I don't read such drivel" Aleksandra said.
"Well, her health is much improved and we will be getting married quite soon. You of course will not be invited as I don't want to give you an excuse to make a scene. Now, I have work to do so I'd appreciate it if you left" Warrington said, he moved to the door and opened it for her. Aleksandra looked outraged at being dismissed but left none the same.
Aleksandra apparated to her london townhouse and dismissed her elf as she moved into her study. Her Grandson was an idiot and ruining the company. she had thought he would be better but she was wrong.
She pulled a piece of parchment from the desk and penned a note to an old friend, she was growing tired of cleaning up after the Warrington men and their indiscretions. But at least this one would be fairly easy to take care of as far as she knew Alicia had no family to miss her. She knew that her friend would make the girl disappear and then show up months later dead with a plausible story for her demise.
She smiled as she finished the note and folded up the parchment. She sealed the letter and snapped her fingers for an elf.
"Warrington, what brings you to my offices?" Marcus asked, when his secretary told him Warrington was in his office he had thought it a joke but he was wrong as Warrington came into his office and took the guest chair opposite his desk.
"I'm in need of new legal counsel, how big is your firm?" Warrington asked. Marcus sat back in his chair.
"Small, but we are expanding. I assure you that as our largest source of revenue I will adapt to your company's need. We will also give you preferential treatment over our other clients. Why are you changing up?" Marcus asked him.
"My last Solicitor told my Grandmother about changes I was making to my will pertaining to Warrington Industries etc. To be honest I don't know what else he has leaked or to whom. I figured since you offered your business to me previously I'd come by and see if the offer was still on the table" Warrington said.
"It is and you should know that breach of the privacy act if proven can lead to your solicitor being disbarred. I can have someone look into it" Marcus said, Warrington nodded.
"Please do, my solicitor is over 90 years old. I don't have to tell you the things he could use to bury my company" Warrington said.
"Is that such a bad thing?" Marcus asked. It was common knowledge that Warrington had been reluctant to pick up the reigns after his father had died.
"I may not like the company but it does employ a lot of people with families. Why should they suffer for my predecessors' sins?" Warrington asked him.
"Point taken, as to your will what were you changing that got the old bat upset?" Marcus asked out of curiosity.
"I am making provisions in the will to include Alicia and our future offspring. Quite substantial provisions including a high percentage of stock in Warrington industries" Warrington said, Marcus rose his eyebrows in surprise as he knew Warrington and Alicia were an item but he didn't think Warrington would be stupid enough to give part of his company to Alicia unless he was planning on marrying the woman.
"Usually one would change their will after they are married. Not before, you planning on doing something stupid?" Marcus asked.
"Do I look like I am?"
"No, I was just curious as to why you're not waiting until after vows are exchanged. What's the rush? You knock her up?"
"there is no rush, I just wanted to get ahead of things. You know me, I like everything to be prepared in advance."
"Right, well perhaps tomorrow we could sit down and talk about your will? And a possible Prenup agreement?" Marcas said as he opened his diary on the desk and looked at his schedule.
"Pre-nup won't be necessary, we're having an Irish Celtic Ceremony" Warrington said, Marcus looked at him as if he grew another head.
"I'm not sure whether that is incredibly stupid or brave of you" Marcus said wryly. Warrington's lips quirked up into a smile as he rose from his chair.
"I leave you to ponder over it. See you at the Malfoys tonight?" Warrington asked.
"Until then" Marcus said.
That evening, Alicia stood in front of the long mirror in their bedroom. She wore a long silver dress that had capped sleeves and a scandalously deep v- neck that opened to her waist. The back of the dress mirrored the front with the same deep v that met a small placard belt at the waist giving her body definition, not that it needed it as she looked like she was poured into dress. Her long hair was pulled back into a loose chignon with tendrils of slightly curled hair framing her face. Her makeup was flawless as always with natural lips and dark eyeliner emphasising the colour of her eyes. She wore the diamond drop earrings Warrington gave her months ago, the only jewellery she wore, that is until he gave her the engagement ring.
"You look lovely" he said as he came up behind her, watching as she smoothed over her lower abdomen. He wasn't sure if she was selfconscious of the slight rounding or enjoying it as much as he was. There was something deeply satisfying about knowing she was pregnant with his child and it did not get old.
"You sure, it's not too daring?" she asked him as he circled his arms around her waist.
"Possibly, but it's ok as I will be the lucky one going home with you tonight and act out all my deliciously sinful thoughts" he said as he nuzzled her ear. Alicia gave a chuckle and a light blush graced her cheeks. He smiled as he stopped and looked at them in the reflection of the mirror I have something for you to wear with that dress" Warrington said as he came up behind her.
"Mmm I might be changing the dress"
"It will suit whatever you choose to wear" he said, he lowered his head into her neck and took a slow inhale enjoying the scent of the light perfume oils Dr Kessell had recommended for her to wear.
It was a delicious mix of mandarin, lavender, neroli, blood orange and ylang ylang that apparently helped pregnant women with nausea and uplifted their general being. Warrington doubted that it would work but he kept quiet as the smell was definitely not offensive and if Alicia was happy that was all that mattered.
"I swear you better not be giving more jewellery. Otherwise I'll think you're stepping out on me" Alicia teased.
"Trust me, I'm thoroughly satisfied with the delights of your body but I do have more jewellery" he said as he pressed a kiss behind her ear. She gave a smile at him through the reflection on the mirror.
"Well one should never refuse a gift" Alicia said, Warrington smiled and pulled out a long rectangle velvet box. Alicia took the box from him and carefully opened it, he watched as her eyes went wide in surprise. He knew she had been expecting a bracelet but instead there in the box laid the engagement ring from the set. She turned in his arms and looked up at him and then at the ring again.
"Is this?" she asked in disbelief.
"Yes" he said a smile spreading across his lips as he enjoyed her reaction.
"So he?" Alicia started to ask but Warrington cut in with the answer.
"Yes" Warrington answered as he took the box from her hands and pulled the ring out. Alicia gave him a beautiful smile.
"Yes" she said and Warrington chuckled.
"I haven't even gotten on one knee and asked the question" he said.
"You don't have to. My answer is yes" Alicia said, she wrapped her arms around his neck and then pressed her lips against his in a long and passionate kiss.