A/N: I feel this story is getting off course.. but instead of fighting it.. I'm just going to go with the flow :-) Thank you for your readership and reviews!

Chapter 43

A few weeks later,

"We could have invited my friends in here" Alicia said not for the first time that evening as she sat on a stool at the mini bar in their spacious private box. The Quidditch game had paused for a 15 minute break while the referees argued over whether a score from Katie's team was legitimate or made from illegal bounds. She readjusted her long hair into a loose bun.

"We could have but they will have your attention after the game and anyway I'd rather we watch than game than listen to their endless banter about our child and Hogswarts rivalry" Warrington said as he stood behind the bar, he poured Alicia a glass of ginger ale and squeezed in the fresh lime juice into it just the way she liked it. He was spoiling her and she knew it because she was feeling miserable as she was finding pregnancy was not 24/7 of being glamourous as she had so hoped when the morning sickness had passed. Sure she had her days but unluckily today had been one of those days as yoga her one zen must have for the day was beginning to become a struggle and it didn't help that she was in one of those 'I feel heavy, unattractive and just let me stay in pj's and eat raspberries all day' kind of moods.

So getting dressed up and coming out had been a challenge but they were here and she was dressed in maternity jeans, they were like the love child of yoga pants and jeans as they looked like normal jeans but were extra stretchy with a spandex fold over top instead of the dreaded zipper and button. They were a dark blue and flared which she matched with an oversize lightweight tan coloured scoop neck sweater and a white tank. She also had a grey overcoat and dark grey marle infinity scarf but removed them as the private box was perfectly temperate.

"And you like having me all to yourself" Alicia stated with a smile as she watched the man put another wedge of lime on the side of glass. A part of her wanted to be sarcastic and ask him where he learnt to be such a proficient bartender but held her tongue. She knew better than to knock a gift horse in the mouth.

"That too, I-" Warrington stopped as the door to the room opened and Lucius Malfoy stepped in without invitation. He placed the drink on the top level of the bar, incredibly unimpressed with his moment with Alicia being interrupted.

"Lord Warrington, Lady Warrington. What a lovely surprise" Lucius said in greeting, coming further into the room.

"Indeed, considering this is a private box" Warrington said in a cool manner, he had purchased the private box so he and Alicia could enjoy the game without people vying for their attention. Sadly he neglected to lock the door to stop said 'people' from dropping in.

"Oh I thought I'd pop in and see how you two were since it's been awhile since we've seen you" Lucius said casually, his smile was smug as he looked at them. Warrington moved from behind the bar to Alicia's back and rested his hands on her shoulders, he could feel how tense she was which only fed his own displeasure.

"Yes, we've been busy" Warrington said in a curt manner, his eyes flicked to the clock on the wall hoping the man would take a hint and leave. Lucius however chose to ignore him and smile curved his lips as he tapped his walking cane.

"I can see that, how far along are you my dear?" He asked his eyes roving Alicia's frame, making her feel self conscious as she hadn't bother concealing her pregnancy but now she wished she had. As Lucius's blatant examination of her body made her feel incredibly uncomfortable.

"Long enough for me" Warrington said in amusement, his hands moving down Alicia's arms in a comforting gesture.

"So you've got everything at hand ready? The nursery complete, hospital booked, house elves, nannies and applications for the child's prep schools handed in?" Lucius asked needling them for information. But Warrington and Alicia were not taking the bait instead they looked at one another and shared a somewhat secretive smile of being proud at not taking the bait. Just for a moment before Warrington looked to Lucius breaking eye contact.

"Tell me how's your family faring?" Warrington asked blatantly changing the conversation.

"They are well, though I've been curious to your lack of presence in the press lately" Lucius said to him trying to redirect the conversation.

"I have lived quietly for the past few years and found it more conducive my quality of life" Warrington said.

"Keeping the mystery alive-" Lucius started but Warrington cut him off.

"No, we just have no interest in our personal lives being the fodder for the gossip column and let Warrington Industries and its work speak for itself" Warrington said growing tired of Lucius trying to needle them for information and wishing the man would take a hint and leave.

"So you've been hiding in Ireland" Lucius said.

"Actually we've been residing in Wales with my mother. We came to watch the game as Alicia's friend Katie Bell who is playing" Warrington said smoothly lying about their whereabouts to the man as he didn't want anyone sniffing around their true home in Ireland or telling anyone else as he liked the quiet life he and Alicia were currently enjoying. He also didn't want Lucius benefiting any further from selling his life to the Daily Profit.

"Ahh of course, keeping the elders close before the boy is born" Lucius said with a smile.

"We decided to keep it a surprise but I'm hoping a girl" Alicia said truthfully, speaking up for the first time, she had kept quiet as she knew she would say the wrong thing but Lucius presence had a way of rising her hackles. It probably didn't help that she knew he had sold her story for his family's benefit, she had overheard Warrington speaking with his mother. She was glad she hadn't seen the article, she didn't want to know what it said nor remember that time. Not when she had so much to happy for.

"With Warrington as the father, I highly doubt that unless-" Lucius started to say in a patronizing manner but Warrington cut him off.

"Alicia's family has very strong genetics. I'd say there's a 50-50 chance of it being either sex. I'm sure you should be getting back to your seat as the game should be resuming soon" Warrington said his blood boiling at Lucius' unveiled assumptions as it always led to him being compared to his own father.

"In a moment of course, I am wondering will we see you two at the next fundraiser?" Lucius asked idly. Warrington shook his head.

"We shall be sending a cheque in lieu of our absence as I've found there is a certain tedium in going to every social function" Warrington said.

"Back to Wales for the foreseeable future?" Lucius drawled in a questioning manner. Alicia felt her skin crawl as his eyes looked her over once again.

"London, I want to be closer to St Mungo's. Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to the ladies to freshen up" Alicia said, making a quick exit. She knew it looked like she was running away but she actually did have to use the facilities and it also gave her an excuse to leave.

"Of course" Lucius said stepping out of the way. Alicia went to the ensuite bathroom and closed the door. Once Warrington heard the door lock, Warrington looked back to Lucius.

"Do I have to ask you to leave again?" Warrington asked in a hauty tone his mother would be proud of.

"Is that tone really necessary?" Lucius asked,

"You're standing in my private box; uninvited and making my wife uncomfortable with your interrogation about our lives"

"We're old family friends, of course I would ask questions about how you've been. But if I have upset your wife I will of course apologise" Lucius said.

"Why don't you tell me what you're doing here? as I highly doubt you have an avid interest in women's quidditch or my wife's birthing plans" Warrington drawled coldly.

"Well, it seems just impossible to get your attention these days now that you no longer attend social functions and your secretary informed me that your schedule is filled in the next 12 months. Simply ridiculous" Lucius said.

"So you came out to Ireland to interrupt my weekend to talk business" Warrington said folding his arms.

"You caught me, I did come here to talk with you since you've slowly been selling off your shares in my company and I'd like to know why" Lucius said.

"Of course, I sold the shares because I no longer have any interest in being partnered in your ventures no matter how lucrative they appear to be" Warrington told him. As far as he was concerned the Malfoy Family could rot considering the trash they had been feeding the Daily Profit since his and Alicia absence from the neverending circuit of social functions and dinners.

"And what made you lose such interest? Our families have always shared a long fruitful business relationship." Lucius said looking confused. It was insulting for the man be honest with Warrington one moment and mocking him the next with his silver tongue.

"A long and fruitful business relationship for your family, not mine" Warrington said.

"I don't understand-" Lucius said confused.

"I know you're the Daily Prophet's 'anonymous source' on Alicia and my life. That article about my wife's imprisonment in the Malfoy dungeons and Dolohov's depravity. Funny how it was paired with a feature article about how the Malfoy family endured the occupation of their home but now finally able to turn over a new leaf. How an 'anonymous source' close to the couple revealed that the Warrington couple's exit from the lime light is due to his wife's troubling past of being a potions junkie and slave to darker arts. How I must be exactly like my father in comparison to the Malfoys who have truly revamped their lives and trying to rehabilitate the youngest of death eaters pressed into service because of their parents. How they have tried to reach out to the Warrington family in support of their current situation. Sound familiar?" Warrington asked but Lucius cut him off with a dismissive wave of his hand.

"Surely you don't think-"

"I don't have to do much thinking, you obviously underestimate how far my power extends in our world. So don't you dare patronise me. I know you've been spinning tales to promote your son's political career while besmirching my family's name in process. I understand we are an easy target because we feel no need to defend ourselves to ridiculous unfounded rumours. They will happen no matter what, no one can control the press but I can control whom I associate with in business" Warrington said in a scathing tone.

"You think I would sink so low?" Lucius asked in disbelief, it almost made Warrington laugh.

"I think you would capitalize on anything to further your son's public profile. I completely understand to you it's only business which is why I kept the sales of my shares private. I see no point in ruining your son's political ambitions but I will no longer fund or support your family's lifestyle considering how you have slighted me. Now please leave my box" Warrington said a polite calm and cold tone. tilting his head to the open door.

"I don't know what to say" Lucius said, the man had the nerve to look affronted.

"Then say nothing at all and leave" Warrington told him, Lucius shook his head and thankfully left the private box. Warrington waited a few moments before he went to the door and closed it. He twisted the lock to make sure there would be no other interruptions. He gave a hearty exhale and raked a hand through his hair as he saw no point in holding onto his anger. He knew just by selling his stock in the Malfoy company and withdrawing his presence from their social gatherings would incur heavy losses on the family's business and their public image. The two things the Malfoys seemed to care about.

He moved to the bar and poured himself a scotch and looked to the Bathroom door and saw Alicia stick her head out.

"He's gone" Warrington told her, smiling in amusement. A light blush graced her cheeks as she came out of the bathroom.

"I wasn't hiding and even if I was could you blame me?" Alicia asked him.

"No but it's not very brave of you hiding in the bathroom" He said in a light and mocking manner, Alicia pursed her lips at him not impressed with his comment.

"One: I needed to use the facilities. Two; I prefer to call it a tactical retreat. Not hiding" Alicia said with a smile as she walked over to the bar and picked up her ginger ale taking a sip.

"Right" Warrington told her with mocking lilt. Alicia placed her glass on the bar again and then wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Are you ok?" she asked him.

"I'm considering becoming a recluse with you and our children" Warrington said as he pulled her close, well as close as he could with their baby in the way.

"You already are and we haven't had one child" She told him.

"It's for your safety we remain in Ireland" he reminded her.

"I know but it's been months and no one has attacked me or even looked at me maliciously" she told him with a smile playing on her lips deciding to keep things light and fun. They could talk seriously when they were at home alone as she knew Warrington preferred it that way.

"No, besides you little abberations; I know you're doing far happier here in Ireland than you would have been in England." he told her as he leaned in close and nuzzled her neck.

"It's the fresh air" She informed him tilting her head to the side to give him better access.

"Not the company?" he asked teasingly as he nipped the side of her neck.

"The company is so so" she said casually with a shrug of her shoulders. Warrington pulled his head back to look at her.

"Only so so?" he asked mockingly surprise.

"Well, it'll get better when I win our bet" she told him.

"You think so?" he asked her.

"Uhuh" Alicia said nodding in excitement.

"Well, we shall see" he told her, as he looked over his shoulder to see that the game had recommenced.

A couple of hours later,

"I know it's too bad about losing but if it helps I think that referee was real shithead" Oliver said to Katie who had her head down on the table. It was the usual position Katie held when her team lost a game. She would mope for a couple of hours, some times get a little drunk and then want to get back to training.

So when Oliver offered his usual dose of sympathy Katie just groaned and wrapped her arms tighter around her head. Oliver patted her on the back with one hand and took a sip of his dark ale with the other. They were all congregated at table outside in the courtyard of an Irish wizarding pub. The area had been magicked to remain a balmy 24 degrees.

"Hey guys" Alicia said as she greeted them, Katie lifted her head and looked to Alicia with a smile.

"You're here!" Katie said, she jumped up from her chair and moved around the table and embraced her friend.

"Yeah, I wasn't too sure but Warrington said when I get tired he'll just carry me" Alicia deadpanned though by the odd looks at the table she was sure the boys took her literally.

"Well isn't that what husbands are supposed to do?" Katie asked mokingly with a smile as she released Alicia.

"I guess so. I haven't really gotten around to reading the user manual for a husband yet" Alicia quipped, she moved around the table to exchange hugs with Lee, Oliver and George.

"Speaking of the devil; where is the husband?" Lee asked her.

"Talking with Lucius, how were the box seats Katie reserved for you guys?" Alicia said as she shook off her jacket draping it over the back of her chair but she keeping her scarf on. She had left Warrington in the main pub as Lucius had decided to corner him again. This time to grovel from the looks of it. She was tempting to cut in and tell him she was ready to go home but Warrington just pushed her forward and told her he'd be just a minute. So knowing better than to stick her nose where it wasn't welcome she continued through the crowds to the table where her friends were.

"They were awesome, why weren't you with us?" George asked her.

"I haven't been feeling the brightest. So Cass and I were playing it by ear" Alicia told him as she sat down next to Lee at the table. She slouched in the chair with a sigh and rubbed her stomach something she had grown a habit of doing for no appreciable reason.

"Yeah well I can't blame you feeling ill. You do look ready to pop" George quipped, Alicia flipped him the one finger salute.

"Up yours, I still have another 14 weeks" She told him in good humour. The man laughed and gave a shrug.

"I think you look gorgeous" Oliver told her raising his glass in praise to her.

"Thank you Oliver, at least someone can pay me a compliment" Alicia said to the table.

"I'm glad you're here but ah you should know Angelina's here too" Katie told her.

"I figured" Alicia said casually, she hadn't anticipated Angelina coming as she usually begged off the minor league games of Quidditch due to her work. Obviously she had made an exception tonight. Alicia just hoped for both their sakes Angelina was in a polite mood.

"And they are coming this way" Lee told her, Alicia turned her head to see Fred and Angelina walking to the table with a couple of pitchers and more glasses. Fred smiled as he saw her but Angelina scowled. Obviously Angelina was as equally unimpressed with seeing Alicia as she was in seeing her.

"Hey, didn't know you were coming" Fred said in greeting to Alicia.

"She almost didn't as that baby is ready walk out of her" George told him.

"I'm 14 weeks from giving birth. Nothing is debuting, graduating, revealing or showing his or herself tonight" Alicia said in a reassuring manner more for herself than the others. She didn't want to admit that she was starting to freak out about the whole giving birth aspect.

"Alicia" Angelina said in curt manner as she took a seat at the far end of the table. Alicia returned the nod before she looked around the table.

"So, how are all you guys going?" Alicia asked, Fred placed the pitchers on to the table and then moved to Alicia giving her an awkward chair hug as he didn't give her a chance to stand up.

"Good" Angelina said.

"Can't complain" Fred said with a smile as he released Alicia from his arms and took up a seat beside Angelina and next to Lee. George and Lee gave shrugs and said 'good' 'the usual' as if not much had changed since she had last seen them.

"My team lost" Katie bemoaned.

"I saw, that referee was so biased" Fred said in a dramatic manner as he sat down next to Alicia slinging an arm around the shoulders of her chair.

"I know! Right?" Katie asked incredulously.

"Yeah, but you played brilliantly" Alicia told Katie with a smile.

"Damn right I did" Katie said pretty pleased with herself.

"So where's your wife?" Fred asked Alicia, she gave an amused closed lip smile.

"He has been waylaid by Lucius Malfoy." Alicia said not bothering to correct Fred. If he wanted to think of Warrington as her wife then that was his prerogative and it was a little funny.

"I heard rumours that Warrington is dissolving his partnership with Malfoy. A rather radical move, considering their families have been partners in business for over a century" Angelina said as she poured out the glasses of beer for the table.

"I prefer we not delve into what Warrington does with his company" Alicia said carefully.

"I agree, if I wanted to talk business I'd bring my spreadsheets and Merlin knows that would dull" Fred said in a mocking manner. Alicia smiled at his less than subtle support nd the fact that she highly doubted Fred knew what a spreadsheet looked like much less it's purpose.

"I guess you wouldn't know anything-" Angelina started to say but Fred cut off as knowing that Angelina was purposefully trying to antagonize Alicia but not knowing why.

"Hey can I touch it?" Fred asked Alicia, the whole table looked at him oddly.

"Touch what?" Alicia asked him drawing her eyebrows together as she wasn't sure of what he wanted to 'touch'.

"The baby bump. I'm curious and when Fleur was knocked up she wouldn't let anyone touch her" Fred explained to her as he held his hands in the air ready to go looking between her face and her stomach.

"Knock yourself out" Alicia said as she lifting her hands out of the way. Fred looked like a kid on a Christmas morning as he placed his hands on her protruding stomach.

"Wow, it's like a balloon" He said. He smiled in delight as the baby gave a good kick. "Got strong legs" he added.

"Oh I want a feel" George said, he jumped up from his chair and Alicia gave a nod knowing it was better to indulge her friends as it had been awhile since she had seen them. Though after 5 minutes of everyone having their fill of feeling her baby move inside her Alicia was over it.

"Are you guys done playing?" Alicia asked George and Fred who were truly monopolising her baby bump like it was a scientific discovery.

"Haven't even begun, it's been so long since we've seen you and anyway she likes us" George said.

"It's why she's putting on show" Fred said he and George nodded in agreement of their assessments.

"She?" Angelina asked the only one at the table besides Oliver who hadn't had a feel of her stomach. But then it would have involved Oliver getting up from the table and moving. Something he wasn't inclined to do for the time being.

"Yeah George and Katie decided agreed it's a girl who will grow up to be a Gryffindor" Lee told Angelina.

"And we're back to that again" Alicia said in a dry manner.

"She'll of course look like you Leesh because if she took after Warrington she would be one ugly girl" Fred said.

"One we'd have to pretend is beautiful so we can keep our man parts intact" George added as he and Fred decided it was time to stop touching her and returned to their seats and drinks wearing goofy grins.

"Lovely and oh so wise" Alicia said dryly.

"So have you two decided on the god parents?" Lee asked Alicia.

"We haven't even picked out a name let alone who the god parents are. So instead of me thinking of my long to do list maybe you can all talk about yourselves" Alicia suggested.

"No way, I saw these guys just last week. You haven't seen you in a long while" Lee said, Alicia shot him a dark look as she wanted to talk about everyone else not herself and knew he was purposefully directing the conversation at her. It was such a 'Flint' move and she was was about to tell him as much when a glass of ginger ale with lime was placed on the table in front of her. The mere sight of drink distracted her as she realised she was thirsty.

"That would be entirely my fault" Warrington said as he pulled up a chair and instigated himself between Alicia and Fred.

"Thank you" Alicia said after she took a sip of her drink.

"You're welcome." Warrington said before they shared a quick perfunctory kiss on the lips.

"A Slytherin taking the blame. How refreshing" Angelina said in an amused manner, she poured Warrington a beer and Fred passed it to him.

"I can't help my nature of being extremely possessive of those I care about. So what have I missed?" he asked the table, he took a sip of his beer.

"Apparently our friends are going to duel until two survive and then they will be the god parents of our child" Alicia told him.

"As long as they all sign waivers not to sue us for damages and loss of life then I have no issue with it" Warrington said with a casual shrug before he leaned back in chair and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"I'm going to save myself from bodily harm and withdraw from the duelling as I would most likely lose anyway" Katie said in a despondent tone.

"Like you did tonight?" Warrington asked, he chuckled as Katie flipped him the one finger salute.

"Don't listen to him, he's just smug because he won the bet we made" Alicia told her.

"You made a bet on the game?" Katie asked.

"I figured you'd win" Alicia said somewhat defensively before she took another sip of her drink.

"Awwh, you're such a good friend" Katie said with a smile.

"So what did you win?" Fred asked, Warrington smiled as Alicia's cheeks reddened with embarrassment. "Ah a little bit of the wink, wink, nudge, nudge; say no more" Fred said tapping to his nose with his index finger.

"Say no more of what?" George asked obtusely pretending he didn't know exactly what was being left unsaid.

"I'll explain it to you when you're 30" Alicia deadpanned.

"I look forward to it" George told her with a grin.