I really thought with quarantine I'd write more, but I didn't and I'm so sorry! This delay is crazy! I hope some of you are still with me! I'm going to try to be better as I really enjoy writing this fic! I hope you enjoy this long overdue update!

Chapter Ten

Adair's hands were shaking so bad that she couldn't clasp the diamond bracelet around her wrist. She sat at the hotel vanity and stared at herself in the mirror.

Charlie came out of the bathroom and didn't say anything as he watched her struggle. He had only arrived in Toronto early that afternoon and he had been very aware of how Adair was feeling since then.

She had hardly pecked him on the lips when she returned to the hotel room after their last practice. She was distracted to the point of being unable to enjoy their reunion. He hadn't expected their normal passionate collisions, but he wasn't prepared for Adair in that state.

The English team had been in Canada for a full week. They had light practices on the pitch that they would be playing on for the World Cup. The Chinese team did as well. No one thought it was enough time to acclimate themselves properly, but they did their best.

"Can I help you?" Charlie asked quietly, stepping up behind her. He rested his massive hands on her shoulders.

Finally, Adair met his gaze in the mirror and nodded without a word. She lifted her wrist up and handed him the bracelet.

Charlie wasn't used to handling such delicate, beautiful items and so he was a bit nervous as well, but eventually he managed to clasp the bracelet. He took her hands gently and pulled her to her feet.

"You look absolutely breathtaking," he said, twirling her under his arm.

Adair had donned a black, floor-length gown that dipped very low in the back. The front had a higher neckline with delicate straps. It was very simple, but she had put in hanging diamond earrings as well as her matching diamond bracelet. Her long blonde hair was up in a high, sleek bun, showing her shoulders and neck.

"You don't look half bad yourself," Adair said with a small smile.

Charlie did look very handsome in the same black dress robes she had first seen him in at Ron and Hermione's wedding.

"I'm pretty nervous about this dinner," Charlie admitted, hoping to cheer Adair.

She did give him a laugh. "I can't comfort you. Chances are it will be much scarier than tomorrow's match."

"That makes me feel better." Charlie pressed a kiss to her forehead. "It's all going to be fine. Tonight and tomorrow."

"Let's not talk about tomorrow," Adair said, visibly paling.

Charlie nodded. "We'd better head to the ballroom."

Adair took a deep breath, glanced once more in the mirror, and looped her arm through his.

In order to get to the ballroom where the dinner was taking place, they had to cross the lobby that was packed to the brim with reporters and photographers.

"Bloody hell," Charlie muttered.

When they all learned that Adair Wood was making her way through the lobby, the buzzing got louder and louder.

"Adair! Adair! Look over here for a photo!"

"Adair!"

"Who's the redhead?"

"You've been in more photos with her than any other bloke, mate!"

Adair felt Charlie tense under her hand.

"The Chinese have it out for you and Oliver tomorrow!"

"Think you're too green to win the Cup, Adair?"

Adair did her best to try and keep the smile on her face as there was constant flashing. Reporters from all over the world were present even though their teams weren't there. The World Cup was the biggest event all year for the Wizarding world and so everyone turned out to send information back to their home countries.

Finally, the pair made it to the backdrop where they were supposed to pose for photographs. The flashing continued.

"Smile," Adair told Charlie, who was practically scowling at the photographers.

He wrapped a thick arm around her waist and pulled her close.

A Chinese couple approached them and so Adair and Charlie gave up the spot so they could be photographed.

"That was a bloody nightmare," he grumbled as they walked into the ornate ballroom. He snatched a champagne flute from a passing waiter and downed it in one gulp.

"No, I didn't want one, thanks," Adair said with her first genuine laugh.

Charlie looked down at her with a sheepish smile. "I'm sorry. I'm still recovering."

"That was easily the worst such experience of my life," Adair admitted. "And I thought I'd grown used to it since playing for England all year."

"Wasn't that bloody awful?" Oliver exclaimed, joining the pair with Katie on his arm.

"Oliver," Katie said gently.

Adair had to smile at her soon-to-be sister-in-law's gentleness. If she thought Oliver saying "bloody" was bad, Adair hated to think of how she'd feel if she could hear him on the pitch during a practice or match.

"Quite the understatement," Charlie said, swiping another flute of champagne, but handing it to Adair that time.

"Not too much of that," Oliver said with raised eyebrows in his sister's direction.

Adair gave him a little mock salute before taking a small sip. She was afraid nothing was going to agree with her in her nervous state and she was right. The champagne certainly didn't help.

Charlie seemed to sense that the siblings were quite nervous. Oliver was clearly pale and he was talking rapidly to Adair about the following day's match. Normally, his voice was strident and confident, but he was talking much too fast and his voice was almost high pitched.

"Katie, should we see if there's not somewhere we can get something besides champagne?" he offered.

"That sounds like a great idea," she said with an eager nod. "Oliver, can I get you anything?"

"A Firewhiskey. I think I can have one," he said desperately.

"I'll have one as well," Adair said quietly.

As Charlie and Katie walked away, they could still hear Oliver's frantic chattering.

"They are handling all of this quite differently," Katie observed. "How was Adair when you got here?"

"Silent and shaking," Charlie said as they joined the line for the bar. He was grateful that all of the reporters and photographers had been kept to the hotel lobby. The only people allowed entrance were those playing in tomorrow's match and their guests.

"Oliver has been like that since I got here last night. I knew he talked a lot before, but I didn't know this was a possibility," Katie said with a giggle.

Charlie smiled. "I'll just be glad when all of this is over no matter what happens."

"I agree," Katie said before stepping up and ordering herself a glass of wine and Oliver's Firewhiskey.

Charlie ordered himself a Butterbeer and Adair's Firewhiskey. As the pair approached the Wood siblings, they could still see Oliver talking and gesticulating with his hands. Adair stood as if she were a statue.

"It's going to be a long night," Charlie sighed.

And it was.

Adair had never had such a long night. They sat through course after course of dinner, which she hardly picked at and then both coaches gave speeches, which were only interesting when there were veiled threats against the other team for the next day. The league's commissioner spoke for almost another hour.

Adair itched for another Firewhiskey, but she knew she had to be at her very best tomorrow. The entire world would be watching. She drummed her fingers on the table until Charlie laid his hand over hers.

She glanced over at him. He squeezed her hand and gave her a small smile.

Eventually, slow music started up. It wouldn't last long as all of the players wanted to at least try and get some sleep, but it was customary for there to be a little bit of dancing.

"Come on," Charlie said, pulling Adair's chair out for her. They followed Oliver and Katie to the dance floor.

"Just one," Adair said before Charlie could even get his hand on her waist.

"Fine with me," he agreed.

"You're going to be fantastic as usual tomorrow," Charlie said when Adair placed her hand in his. It was damp and clammy. He noticed that she had never really regained her color at all.

"A part of me wishes the team hadn't done so well so we wouldn't have to be doing this," she sighed, resting her forehead on his barrel chest. "The whole world is watching."

"Nonsense. You all deserve to be here and when you start playing tomorrow everything else will fall away. Your instincts will take over and it'll just be another Quidditch match."

"I hope you're right," Adair muttered.

Charlie moved his hand from her waist to under her chin, making him look up at her. "I know I'm right. I can't wait to watch you." He pressed a kiss to her lips as the song ended.

"Are you ready to go?" she asked.

"I've been wanting out of these clothes since I got in them," Charlie chuckled.

"Me too."

Once more, Adair looped her arm through Charlie's and they left the hall. Many of her teammates and Chinese opponents were doing the same thing.

Luckily, since they left in a crowd, the reporters and photographers were torn as to who to yell at or snap photos of as the players made their way back to their hotel rooms. Adair and Charlie made it out mostly unscathed.

"I won't miss that when the season is over," Charlie said with a sigh, closing their hotel room behind them.

Adair gave a smile as she sat at the vanity. With a wave of her wand, her long hair fell out of its sleek updo and bounced around her shoulders. She managed to remove her earrings and her bracelet without too much shaking.

When Charlie came out of the bathroom in his boxers, ready for bed he found Adair in an ancient t-shirt of his. The cotton was nearly worn through in some places and the Hungarian Horntail that had once been vibrant and able to move around the shirt, could hardly do so anymore.

"Where did you get that?" Charlie asked. "I don't recall giving it to you and I've been missing it."

"I may have taken it out of your bag in Argentina. I think we can both agree that I look better in it," Adair said with a smirk.

"So arrogant," Charlie replied, even as he took in her long legs left bare by the shirt that barely covered her backside.

"You can't have it back," Adair said, as Charlie came towards her and wrapped his arms around her.

"What if I take it off of you?" Charlie murmured against her earlobe.

"You'd better not," Adair replied before kissing him deeply on the mouth, pressing up on her tiptoes to reach him.

"We don't have to do this," Charlie said quietly, pulling away to look down at Adair.

She shook her head. "No, I want the distraction. Please." Her voice took on a scared, desperate note.

"I am more than happy to oblige," Charlie smiled warmly at her. "I've missed you." He picked her up and Adair wrapped her legs around his waist. He kissed her as he walked carefully toward the huge bed, before dropping her onto the plush bedding. His hands went to the hem of the t-shirt, but she grabbed them.

"I wasn't kidding about that. This is mine now."

Charlie growled before leaning over her and kissing her neck. He let his hands travel under the t-shirt.

Adair's back arched, pushing her breasts into his hands. He was pleased that she wasn't so distracted that she couldn't enjoy herself. He pushed the t-shirt around her hips and lifted one of her ankles to his lips, kissing from there to her knee and from there up the inside of her thigh.

By the time he reached his end destination, Adair was panting and her hands were wrapped tightly in the blankets. Charlie grinned as he kept teasing her.

"Knock it off, you git," she finally managed to gasp out.

"Bossy," Charlie shook his head before giving her what she wanted. Her legs were on his shoulders and immediately he felt the sharp points of her heels digging into his shoulder blades.

Before he had done much of anything, she was writhing beneath him.

He pulled away as she tried to catch her breath. Charlie went to lay next to her, but Adair shook her head.

"I still won't' be able to sleep," she said with imploring eyes.

"I'm glad you said that. I wouldn't be able to either." He rolled onto his back and pulled Adair so she was straddling him.

Charlie let out a strangled groan when she lowered herself onto him. "Bloody hell," he moaned as his eyes closed.

Adair began rocking back and forth and her eyes closed as well. Luckily, there wasn't a thought of Quidditch in her head. All she could think about was the feeling of Charlie.

His hands gripped her hips tightly, keeping her body close to his.

As Adair felt her climax building, she leaned over and framed Charlie's head with her forearms, pressing her forehead to his and taking two fistfuls of his fiery hair.

"Fuck, Adair," he said as his strong arms wrapped around her waist, anchoring her to him.

Between her weight on him and her desperate breathing in his ear, she was barely able to finish before he did.

Without a word, she went into the restroom to clean herself up. Adair rinsed her face off and then looked at herself in the mirror. Her cheeks were flushed and her hair was a tangled mess from Charlie's hands.

She slowly ran a brush through her hair until it smooth once more. As she did so, the familiar churning in her stomach returned. She tried to take deep breaths, but she found herself just gasping for air, staring at her panicked face in the mirror.

"Adair?" Charlie called. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," she replied. "I'll be right there."

She put her palms on the cool porcelain of the sink and tried to steady herself. When she thought she had managed it just enough, she went back to the bed.

"Do you think you can sleep now?" Charlie asked, pulling back the blankets and beckoning for her to join him.

Adair glanced at the clock. It was later than she had thought. "I'm going to have to try."

She crawled toward Charlie and then lay with her head on his chest. One of his hands immediately went to her hair, combing through her long locks. Between that and the soothing rhythmic beating of his heart under her cheek, she eventually dozed off though it took some time.

Charlie wasn't nearly comfortable, but he didn't move out from under Adair. Her sleep, that night especially, was more important than his and it was usually always harder to come by for Adair.

ooooOoooo

Charlie must've managed to fall asleep at some point because he woke to the sun streaming onto his face through the window and the sound of retching coming from the restroom. He was immediately out of bed and hurrying to get to Adair, who he found in her leggings and tight black t-shirt she wore under her Quidditch robes.

She had not yet done her hair so he gathered it up with one hand and rubbed her back with the other.

"Oh Adair," he murmured, not knowing what else to say. He now understood that he could not ease her nerves, but he had never seen her in such a state before a match.

Her body heaved under his hands until there was nothing left to dispel. They both slumped away from the toilet so that Charlie's back was resting against the wall and Adair was resting against him in between his legs.

He brushed her hair away from her sweaty face. "You are going to get through this," he promised. He couldn't promise her the outcome as he knew that's not what she wanted to hear, but he could promise that it would at least end at some point. "I'm going to be cheering for you the whole time and I'll be waiting for you when it's over."

Adair was quiet for a moment. "Thanks for coming. I'm really glad you're here."

"That's what boyfriends are for."

She waited another moment, just resting against Charlie before she stood on shaky legs. She sat at the vanity once again and tried to steady herself enough to French braid her hair. It took a few tries, but eventually her signature look was in place. She put on a bit of makeup for the photos and then studied herself in the mirror.

Charlie came over and knelt beside her, setting a mug of tea next to her. "Anything I can do?" he asked gently.

"Play for me?" Adair asked, still staring at herself in the mirror. "I've heard you were good enough."

Charlie gave a booming laugh. "I'm afraid that was almost fifteen years at this point. If I went out there, I might not come back in good shape."

"Well we can't have that," Adair said with a small smile.

Charlie stood, still only in his boxers, and retrieved Adair's Quidditch boots. He helped her slide her feet into them and then made sure they were snug and secure all the way above her knees.

Adair took a few sips of the tea, but knew she wouldn't be able to consume anything until after the match and then it would most likely only be Firewhiskey.

"Bloody hell," she muttered as she stood from the vanity. "I should've gotten a real job."

Charlie laughed again. "I don't think that's in either of our blood."

Adair didn't respond. She surveyed herself nervously in the full-length mirror on the back of their room door.

"You can absolutely do this," Charlie said, wrapping his arms loosely around her waist. "It's just another match."

Eventually, Adair nodded and met his gaze. "I've got to get going."

The match wasn't for another several hours, but each team had the opportunity to fly around the pitch once more beforehand and then the English team would be going extensively over their strategy again.

She tucked her wand into her right boot and went to the door.

"Adair," Charlie said.

She turned and looked at him, one eyebrow raised. "Hm?"

"I love you."

Adair's stomach fluttered once more, but for an entirely different reason that time. They had never said that to each other. She'd never said it to anyone. She flushed and grinned like a schoolgirl, looking down at her feet.

She finally looked back up. "I love you too," she said. She stood there for a moment longer and then left the room.

The Wood siblings nearly collided as Adair came into the corridor.

"What are you so happy about?" Oliver demanded, looking like he hadn't slept a wink.

"Nothing," Adair replied, shaking her head and trying to clear her mind.

"Get it together," Oliver said sternly.

Adair had to hide her face from her brother.

ooooOoooo

Charlie was about to lose his mind waiting for the match to start when there was a knock at the hotel room door.

When he answered it, he found Katie on the other side brandishing a Firewhiskey bottle and two glasses.

"I thought you might need a drink as badly as I do," she said, stepping past him.

"This is unexpected, but not at all unwelcome," Charlie said as he watched her pour the smoking amber liquid.

"I am so happy for Oliver and Adair, but if we never have to do this again, I won't be mad about it," she said before taking a drink. She came up from her glass spluttering. "How do people drink this?"

Charlie laughed and had a glass of water zooming toward her which she took gratefully.

"I know what you mean," Charlie agreed when Katie had caught her breath. "Adair was up early this morning sick to her stomach."

"She was?" Katie asked. "That's rather odd."

Charlie nodded. "I think it was just from the extra nerves, don't you?" he asked.

Katie paused for a moment before nodding as well. "I should think so."

ooooOoooo

Katie and Charlie arrived at the Woods' suite about an hour before the match started. Charlie was decked out in English gear. He had a t-shirt of the English flag, a team scarf wrapped around his neck, a red sweatband around his forehead and red warpaint under his eyes.

Half an hour later, the door opened again and an older couple walked in.

Katie stood quickly. "Mr. and Mrs. Wood! It's so good to see you again," she said.

Charlie trailed her when he realized who had joined. His stomach began to churn having never met Adair's parents before. He wished Adair would've told him that they were coming. He might have dialed the team spirit down a little bit so as not to look so foolish.

As Katie spoke to the pair, Charlie took his chance to study them. Mr. Wood was the spitting image of Oliver. Stocky and ruddy in the face, he was smiling at Katie.

Mrs. Wood was tall and willowy like Adair, but her face looked as though it might crack if she bothered to smile.

The woman's green eyes, identical to Adair's, flicked in his direction and she arched a perfectly shaped eyebrow at him.

"Oh!" Katie exclaimed. "How rude of me! Mr. and Mrs. Wood this is Charlie Weasley, Adair's-"

"Boyfriend," Charlie said as confidently as he could manage. "I'm Adair's boyfriend."

"Interesting," Mrs. Wood said, taking in his attire. "She never mentioned she was seeing anyone."

"I like your outfit," Mr. Wood said with a smile. "What do you do, Charlie?"

"I'm a dragonologist," he replied.

"Fascinating," Mrs. Wood said, before turning and fetching a drink from the suite's bar.

Charlie exchanged a few more pleasantries with Adair's father, but then they went to their seats.

"Is that a normal interaction with them?" Charlie asked Katie discreetly.

"Unfortunately, yes."

ooooOoooo

All Adair could hear was the rushing of blood in her own ears. She and Oliver were standing out of sight of the crowd as they always did. The Chinese team had already been announced and the rest of their team was already in the air waiting on them.

"I'm really proud of you, Adair," Oliver yelled over the cheering, pulling her from her trance. "You've come a long way this season."

"Thanks," she replied.

"We'll be alright no matter what," Oliver said. "But I'd really like to win."

Adair nodded.

"And now for the sibling duo that's taken the world by storm this season!" came the announcer's booming voice. "Oliver and Adair Wood!"

They walked out, brooms over their shoulders, waving with their free hands.

"Here we go!" Oliver shouted.

They both mounted their brooms and kicked off.

ooooOoooo

It was the closest match Charlie had ever seen the English team play. He spent most of the match with his hands over his eyes. Everytime Adair or one of the other Chasers scored, the Chinese immediately did the same so that most of the match was spent in a tie.

After two hours, it looked as though the Chinese Seeker had caught sight of the Snitch. "Bloody hell, I can't watch this," Charlie said, collapsing into a seat with his hands over his eyes.

"False alarm!" Katie exclaimed.

Immediately, Charlie was back on his feet. "Go Adair!" He was jumping at the glass window as Adair made her way to the Chinese goalposts.

The attempt was blocked and Charlie groaned.

"What kind of form was that?" Mrs. Wood asked her husband. It was the only thing she had said the entire match even though Adair had scored several goals.

Charlie bit his tongue and tried to keep his concentration on the match.

ooooOoooo

They had been on their brooms for over four hours with only short breaks and all of the players were wearing out fast.

"Adair!" Jasmine called out to her as two Chinese Chasers were closing in on her. Adair sped over and barely caught the Quaffle as Jasmine threw it out of the fray. She went speeding down the pitch, but the Chinese Chasers were after her as well. The one who hadn't been on Jasmine, came out of nowhere and collided with Adair so hard she dropped the Quaffle. She managed to drop down and catch it and in her excitement she didn't see or hear the Bludger that came screaming towards her, crashing into the front of her right hip so hard she was practically blasted off of her broom.

ooooOoooo

"Oh fuck!" Charlie exclaimed, banging on the glass as Adair went hurtling toward the ground. He knew they usually charmed the pitches to prevent too bad of injuries, but he still watched Adair land hard. When she hit the ground, she didn't move at all.

"Go! Go!" Katie exclaimed as he darted for the suite of the door. He had to get to the healing tent.

"Oh she'll be fine. I've seen worse," Mrs. Wood said, just before the door closed.

It took Charlie nearly half an hour to get to the healing tent and when he did finally get there, he was barred entrance.

"Adair Wood is my girlfriend!" he exclaimed.

"That's not the first time we've heard that," one of the Healer's laughed.

"That's not the first time we've heard that today," another one added.

"Oliver! Oliver!" Charlie bellowed, hoping the other Wood was with his sister.

Finally, Oliver poked his head around the corner. "Bloody hell! Let him in here!" he demanded.

"Wankers," Charlie snarled as he passed by the two Healers.

Oliver led him to a private room where Adair was lying, unconscious on a cot. He rushed toward her and Oliver grabbed an extra chair for him.

Charlie immediately took her hand and stroked her hair that was fraying out from her braid.

"She's had her right hip practically shattered into a million pieces. They're going to have to keep her asleep for a while. Mending that will be a doozy." Oliver sighed and slumped down next to Charlie. "I don't think we would've won anyway."

Charlie had heard the excitement of the crowd as the Chinese Seeker caught the Snitch and won the game. The stands had started emptying as he was trying to get to Adair, which had been why it took so long.

"I'm sorry, mate," he said distractedly.

A different Healer came into the room and glanced at Charlie. "Who is this, Oliver?"

"This is Charlie. Adair's boyfriend."

"Oh. I'm so sorry. I presume you were the father? I wish she hadn't been playing in her condition, but it's not the first time I've seen it."

The room was silent for a moment.

"Excuse me, you presume I'm the what?" Charlie looked at Oliver who had gone white as a sheet. "Did you know about this."

Oliver could only shake his head.

The anger at Adair's secrecy made his blood boil like he had never experienced before. His mind went blank with fury.

His chair crashed into the wall behind with him such force as to leave a dent and the door slammed behind him.

There you go! I hope you liked it! I certainly don't deserve it, but if you would leave a review I would absolutely love that! I will absolutely update this in less than five months this time.

Happy reading,

Avonmora