There aren't enough apologies in the world for my long break. I was in a real slump and pretty busy. I'm also not going to make promises I can't keep, but please know that it did feel good to be a little creative again. I hope you enjoy this if you're still around!
Chapter Twenty-Three
"Adair, you look amazing," Charlie said, walking up to her where she stood in front of the full length mirror. "You don't need that." He gently pulled the gauzy shawl off of her shoulders and set it on the bureau next to them. He wrapped his hands around her upper arms. While they were much larger than they ever had been, they were firm and toned.
Adair sighed and looked up at Charlie in the mirror.
"Trust me," he said with a smile.
She looked herself over once more. The emerald green dress was one shouldered and had a slit up one leg. It was not low cut in the front or back, modest by Adair's previous standards.
"Stop fussing," Charlie said, turning her away from the mirror as she pulled at the silk dress.
"I didn't want to be back here," Adair said, glancing out the window at the coastline of Monaco. They were in a suite in the casino hotel, preparing to, once more, make their way downstairs to the World Cup gala.
"I know," Charlie replied quietly. "And yet here you are."
There had been no amazing teams during the regular season and so it had come down to a matter of overall scores throughout the season to determine who would play in the World Cup. The English national team had been astonished when it was announced that they would play Norway for the title.
Charlie had just been grateful that Adair hadn't crumbled under the pressure as she had the year before. Her training regimen had intensified a bit, but she managed to keep it in check and she listened to him when he told her that she needed to eat and rest.
"I think it's looking a lot better this year," he assured her.
Adair nodded.
"Are you not going to tell me how handsome I look?" Charlie asked, mock offended, in an attempt to lighten the mood.
It was another sign of progress that she actually laughed. The previous year, Adair had been impossible to talk to leading up to the big match.
"You look very handsome," Adair said.
"Thank you," Charlie laughed and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Are you ready?"
Adair shook her head.
"I'm right here with you," Charlie promised, taking both of her hands in his larger ones and squeezing them gently.
Adair studied him for a moment. He was truly handsome. After a few years, she had bought him a new set of dress robes for the occasion and he was striking in the all black ensemble with his long hair pulled back into a bun.
In that moment there was not a doubt in her mind in regards to Charlie. She knew that he would not leave her to flounder on her own that night, or any other for that matter. They had come a very long way from her first World Cup appearance.
"Well let's get it over with then," she said, taking one final deep breath before leaving the hotel room.
The crush of reporters near the entrance of the ballroom was overwhelming as it had been the other times, but this time there were questions directed at Adair about last year's performance.
She and Charlie posed for a few photos before heading into the ballroom. She didn't answer a single question.
"I could win tomorrow and no one will remember anything besides last year," she grumbled, looping her arm through his as they made their way to their table.
"That's not true," Charlie said, although he wasn't so sure. The debacle of the previous World Cup had followed Adair for an entire year, both internally and externally.
He pulled her chair out for her and sat next to her. "Time really has flown," he said, attempting to change the subject. "This is my third World Cup. That's a little surreal. I never expected to be here."
Adair had to smile. "You could've bloody well played for England," she said in a voice as close as she could manage to her brother's burr.
"Really Adair?" Oliver asked, coming up behind them and taking his seat next to Charlie, Katie on his other side. "Are we still doing that?"
"Do you still talk like that?" Adair returned.
"That's enough," Charlie said with a chuckle. He stood from his chair. "Would you like anything from the bar?" he asked Adair.
"A Firewhiskey," she replied with a grateful smile.
While Charlie was gone, Adair, Oliver, and Katie stayed far, far away from the topic of Quidditch and the impending match. The conversation was totally stilted and unnatural, but it was better than talking about what they were headed for the following day.
"Here you go." Charlie set the smoking tumbler before Adair and sipped at his own.
Adair lifted the glass, but her hands were trembling so badly that she couldn't bring it to her lips.
Charlie watched out of the corner of his eye as she set the glass back down and stared at it, as though it were to blame. She did not reach for it again.
Long and boring opening remarks were made by the Quidditch Commissioner and then by both coaches. Everyone was very nearly asleep by the time that was all over and dinner was served.
Adair didn't eat a thing, but Charlie didn't raise a fuss. He had watched her very carefully since they had found out that England would be playing for the World Cup once more and he was confident that she had been taking care of herself. If she didn't feel like eating that night, he would chalk that up to strictly nerves and let her be.
They danced once together, just to say that they did. There was not a word spoken between them. Adair rested her head on Charlie's chest as he held her and moved her around the floor. His steady heartbeat was incredibly soothing as hers had been going crazy for nearly a week.
After their one dance, they headed out, hustling through the pack of reporters and photographers that still lingered, waiting to see who would come out of the ballroom after having overindulged. In what had become his signature move, Charlie held Adair close to his side and tried to shield her as best he could with his body
Adair disappeared into the lavatory when they returned to their hotel room. Charlie quietly stripped down to his boxers and crawled into the huge bed.
When she finally emerged, Charlie rolled onto his elbow so he could see her. Her face was bare, her curls were unpinned and hanging around her shoulders, and she was wearing the same faded dragon t-shirt of his that she had worn for her last two appearances at the World Cup.
"Trying that one out again?" he asked.
"Third time's a charm," she replied, pulling the bedding back. She settled against his side and once more he pulled her close so that her head was resting on his shoulder.
"I think so too," he agreed. Charlie kissed her gently on the mouth, relaxing into the exquisite comfort of the hotel bed.
They didn't say another word. Eventually, Charlie drifted into a light sleep, but he always seemed to be cognizant of Adair. He knew she would not be sleeping well.
Long after midnight, she rolled onto her side. "Coach Williams isn't starting me tomorrow," she whispered.
Charlie didn't reply immediately and so Adair thought he might be asleep. Just before she went to roll onto her side, he spoke.
"How do you feel about that?"
"I hate that I let it get to a point where my team can't trust me to do my job, but it's probably for the best all things considered."
Charlie nodded, but realized she couldn't see him in the dark. He pulled her against him once more. "Just because you're not starting doesn't mean you won't play," he said.
"I know," Adair whispered.
"You're still my favorite player," Charlie said, smiling against her neck.
"That's because I'm the only one you sleep with," Adair laughed, pulling her shoulder up to protect the sensitive skin of her neck from the stubble on his face.
"That's only part of the reason."
Adair turned her face and kissed him deeply, lingering for a moment. "I'm glad you're here."
"So am I," Charlie whispered against her lips, pulling her long, lean leg up around his waist.
ooooOoooo
In the morning, Adair was sitting on the bench at the foot of the bed, lacing the trainers she was wearing to the pitch.
Charlie sat up in the bed when he heard her rustling around in her gym bag, zipping it up.
Her face wasn't as calm as it had been the previous evening.
"Hey," he said quietly. Even at that volume, she jumped in fright and met his brown eyes.
"I'm sorry. I didn't want to wake you."
Charlie waved her concern away. "I've got hours to sleep. Are you okay?"
Adair nodded. "I'll be fine."
"You're an amazing player," Charlie said with a small smile. "Today is going to be great."
Adair nodded again. "I'll see you after."
ooooOoooo
Adair arrived at the locker room in the English locker rooms at the pitch in Monte Carlo. Jasmine and Sienna greeted her warmly when they joined her. Jasmine nodded silently in the direction of Adair's sub, Piper.
She was around Adair's age and had been a sub for Adair ever since her mental break the year before, but they had hardly spoken.
"Time to go," Coach Williams called into the women's locker room.
As the other players filed out, Adair went to where Piper was still sitting on the bench, looking very green. "You're going to do great," Adair said, squeezing Piper's shoulder. "I'd say good luck, but you don't need it."
Piper looked up and swallowed hard. "Thanks," she said.
Adair nodded. "Let's go."
The two women joined the other players at the tunnel that led to the pitch. Bright light could be seen streaming in from the edge of the turf and the smell of the sea was drifting all the way back to them.
The Norwegian team was announced and then it was time for the English players to enter the pitch.
The Beaters went out first, then the Chasers, the Seeker, and then it was only Oliver standing there. He glanced back at his sister, lingering even after they called his name.
It wasn't the first time he had entered the pitch alone, but it was the most meaningful game he had played without his sister.
Adair reached out and quickly squeezed his hand. "You don't need me," she told him, smiling confidently, even though she felt anything but.
Oliver squeezed his sister's hand and turned and walked into the sun.
"Oliver Wood enters the pitch without his sister for the first time ever at a World Cup. They have had two appearances together, but after Adair's abysmal last showing at the Cup, she's had to fight for her spot back on the English team. We'll see if she makes an appearance today."
It took everything in Adair to not hang her head in shame as she walked with Coach Williams to the shaded sideline where she would watch the match with the coaching staff and the other players.
Adair watched the match unfold and she wasn't sure anything had ever been more excruciating. She tried not to let herself feel the humiliation. That was easier than keeping her anger at bay. She was furious with herself for getting so distracted with everything else. In the last World Cup she had played in, she had been so focused on winning during the months leading up to the match that she had cost herself and her team victory. She had caused herself so much embarrassment.
She shook her head as she stared into the sunny sky, watching the game unfold.
Norway took an early lead and though England was scoring, they couldn't seem to get caught up. Her teammates needed to ensure that they were continuously scoring so that they could catch the Snitch and still win, but the points scored by the Chasers became fewer and further between.
Adair tried not to look over at Coach Williams, who was pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration.
After another few missed attempts by the English Chasers, he spoke. "Can you do it?" He didn't look at Adair.
She looked up at the game for a moment longer, not wanting to rush a decision, not wanting to only say yes because she wanted the glory of playing; to soothe her own pride.
"Yes," she said, when she knew that she could help her teammates. She only said as much when she was confident that she would kick off from the ground for the joy of playing.
Coach Williams signaled to the officials that he needed a sub for a Piper. As Adair passed the other woman in the air, there was nothing malicious when she assured her that she'd played great.
"Here comes Adair Wood, ladies and gentlemen!" The announcer yelled. "Can she make a difference? The English have dug themselves into quite the hole, but we've yet to see which version of Adair has joined us this morning!"
For the first time, maybe in her entire life, Adair felt elated to be on her broom. She ignored the commentators and the fans alike.
Her fingers were buzzing to hold and throw the Quaffle. She wanted to play more than she ever had, because despite everything that had gone on with the game throughout her life, she did love the sport. Against all odds, she was still thrilled to play.
Game play resumed and Adair was quick to score a few goals in rapid succession. She hadn't played so well since she had first started with England.
"Bloody hell," Charlie murmured in the suite. He had gotten to his feet when Adair had gone into play.
It was obvious that something was different about her, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. All he knew was that something was working out. She had finally found a way to take care of herself and to play at peak performance.
"She looks great," Katie said as they watched Oliver toss the Quaffle, which he had blocked, to his sister and she went speeding off down the pitch once more.
After nearly another hour, the English team was back in striking distance of being able to catch the Snitch and win.
There were frustrations of course, blocked shots and fouls called, but Adair didn't let that get to her like she might have before. She shook the mistakes off, hers and the teams, and continued to play at the level for which she had once been known.
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of their Seeker, Logan, streaking toward the ground. Her heart was pounding in her chest as everyone on the pitch and in the stands paused what they were doing to watch what would happen.
The Norwegian Seeker caught on as well, but it was too late. Logan had tumbled off his broom and in his hand held the golden ball with fluttering wings over his head.
The first thing Adair did was turn to her brother. They both stared at each other with mouths wide open, frozen in disbelief.
After that it was a rush of noise and movement. Everyone landed, the Norwegian team heading for the lockers, while the English team collided, hugging and sobbing and laughing.
"They did it," Charlie said, looking down at the pitch. Tears pricked his eyes as he watched Adair celebrate with her teammates. He hastily wiped them away when Katie grabbed his arm.
"Come on! We've got the passes to go down there!"
They hurried through the crowds as best they could, flashing the badges they wore around their necks to any security who happened to look their way, trying to get through as quickly as possible.
Finally, they broke through the crowd and sprinted to the gate onto the pitch. They were stopped once more for their credentials to be expected and then they were free. They each made their way to their respective Wood siblings.
Neither Charlie nor Adair said anything when he crashed into her, lifting her off her feet and spinning her around. When he sat her back down, he took her face in his giant, rough hands and beamed down at her before kissing her passionately.
Her teammates around her cheered and laughed before dispersing back to the locker rooms to prep for the interviews, leaving only Charlie and Adair on the pitch.
"You were absolutely incredible!" he laughed.
"I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you," Adair said quietly, looking up at him earnestly.
"Rubbish."
"No, really," she insisted. "I owe all of this to you."
ooooOoooo
The English players won an absurd amount of money from winning the World Cup. None of them would ever have to work again if they didn't want to and they certainly wouldn't if they entrusted a good chunk of their winnings to the goblins at Gringotts for investments, which Adair intended to do, frugal as she always had been.
But to show Charlie how much she appreciated him and to really revel in the celebrations, Oliver and Adair decided that they would stay in two of the nicest suites in the Hotel de Paris Monte Carlo, fully intending to enjoy the night.
Adair and Katie bought new formal dresses for the occasion and Charlie and Oliver changed into dress robes.
That evening they were shown into a private dining room, glass walls surrounding them showcasing the restaurant's finest bottles of wine and champagne.
"We're celebrating," Oliver said. "We'll take at least one bottle of your nicest bubbles."
Everyone laughed at Oliver using the word "bubbles" but they quickly shut up when they tasted the champagne. It was like velvet in their mouths with hints of citrus and cream.
"Well, what's next for the Wood siblings?" Charlie asked. The first courses of their tasting dinner were served and they took turns talking and delighting in the unique flavors and dishes.
"I think we should do it again next year, don't you Adair?" Oliver asked with his rogue grin.
Adair could only shrug her shoulders, still overwhelmed by the entire day. "I'm not sure how you top this," she responded, taking another sip of her champagne.
When they were through eating, they took to the casino.
"I'm not much of a gambler," Adair said, handing Charlie an extremely thick stack of €500 notes that had been converted from Galleons at a secret cashier booth that was only visible to witches and wizards.
"Are you kidding me?" Charlie asked, jaw dropping. "I can't take all of this."
Adair just looked up at him. "We have a lot to talk about after today," she replied. "You can blow through that and I can just keep giving you more."
Charlie knew it was rude, but they were so close and had been living together for so long. "How much did you win?"
"6,775,000 Galleons," Adair responded without missing a beat.
"I need to sit down," Charlie said, reaching for the nearest stool at an empty Roulette table. He knew she had always made a lot of money. She had always refused his offers to help pay for the flat or any other big purchases and only occasionally humored him for meals, groceries, and other smaller things. But the amount she had won at the World Cup was staggering to him; nowhere near the sum of money that he had ever thought it reasonable for a normal person to make.
"We can talk about it when we get home," she reassured him once more. "Let's enjoy the evening.
Eventually Charlie nodded and because they were in a Muggle casino, had to settle with ordering a regular bourbon to settle his constitution.
ooooOoooo
The next morning, both couples left the hotel with full hearts and slight headaches.
When they got back to London, Oliver and Adair had to go to the English pitch for a debrief on the previous day's match. The entire team was still in disbelief and Coach Williams didn't have much to say after their victory. He seemed to be too emotional after his first World Cup win, as a player or a coach, to give a lot of constructive feedback. So the team watched parts of the film, going over the most exciting parts and congratulating each other once again before heading home.
"Charlie said I should come to your flat," Oliver said as they left. "Said he was going to cook a celebratory dinner."
Adair shrugged, not knowing anything about it. "By all means," she said."
Oliver stood back and let Adair open the door to her flat. When she did, they both jumped.
"Surprise!"
The entire Weasley family plus many of their friends were in her flat, Charlie and Katie beaming at the front of the group.
"What the hell?" Adair exclaimed.
"We had to surprise you!" Katie wrapped her arms around Oliver's neck and kissed his cheeks.
Charlie wrapped Adair in a tight hug and she wanted to stay there forever, ear pressed to his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat. "I'm not sure I can take anymore excitement," she murmured quietly so only he could hear.
His laugh rumbled against her cheek. "I told them you were exhausted. They won't stay long."
"Get off her!" Tiny hands were pushing at both of their thighs and hips and they both laughed when they saw Victoire. "What's it feel like, Adair? Tell me everything!" the little girl demanded taking both of Adair's hands in hers and looking reverently up at her.
"It's crazy," Adair said. "It's still a rush and there was no thrill like realizing we'd won." She spoke to Victoire like she was an adult. "But it's also a relief that it's over and I think it would've felt that way even if we'd lost. It's so much pressure."
Victoire nodded thoughtfully.
"You were amazing!" Ginny approached Adair and hugged her tightly, crushing Victoire between them.
"Aunt Ginny!" the little girl sputtered, trying to free herself from the embrace to the amusement of the older women.
"I'm so proud of you," she continued, beaming at her friend.
Tears sprang to Adair's eyes and she gave a burbling laugh. While she might have expected to win the World Cup at some point in her career, she had certainly never expected the warmth that followed from this family who had taken her in.
"Oh now, none of that, my dear," Mrs. Weasley said gently, coming up behind her daughter. "You've earned a bit of a rest and I brought some food to help Charlie out."
The older woman guided Adair into her own kitchen, helping her to fill a plate as Adair was still a bit dumbfounded by the emotions.
As Adair sat and ate slowly, the rest of the Weasley family and the friends who were there came over to congratulate her and relive the match.
After a few hours, it seemed that Charlie had begun to shoo everyone away. Oliver and Adair had not had much rest since they had arrived in Monte Carlo and he knew they would both be craving their beds.
At the very end, it was just Mr. and Mrs. Weasley who lingered to help clean up. Adair rose to assist, but Mrs. Weasley kept her firmly in her chair.
"Let the men do it," she said with a light laugh. "It won't kill them."
Her hands lingered on Adair's shoulders from where she stood behind her, but then Adair felt the most soothing thing. Mrs. Weasley had begun to gently untangle the knots in Adair's long blond hair with her fingers.
Tears were once again in Adair's eyes and she wiped them away, pretending to be wiping at her nose.
Her own mother had only ever pulled Adair's hair into the tightest of braids when she was a little girl, so as not to get in her eyes when she played. There had been no calm combing f the blonde mass after bathtime or anything of that nature.
"Well I think that does it," Mr. Weasley said, turning around and wiping his hands on a dishrag.
"Thank you so much," Adair finally said when she could speak again.
"Get some rest," Mrs. Weasley bid. "Both of you."
Charlie's heavy hand fell on the back of Adair's neck as he watched his parents depart. When the door had closed and he'd locked it with a flick of his wand, he looked down at Adair.
"I love you so much," he said softly.
Adair thought her heart might burst. She had never been happier in her entire life. "Then tuck me in."
ooooOoooo
After they had returned home, they had a week before Charlie started his next term. They didn't do much of anything, sleeping in, going out for late brunches, and doing the occasional workout that Charlie found he could keep up with since Adair wasn't training so aggressively.
On the day that Charlie returned to Hogwarts for his first day of classes, Adair set off for a meeting with Coach Williams.
"Still riding the high?" he asked her when she entered his office, sitting across from him at his desk.
"I will probably be reliving the entire match for the rest of my life," she laughed.
Coach Williams agreed with a laugh. "What did you want to see me about, Adair? You're not joining another team are you? I imagine the offers are pretty high for you to do so."
Adair shook her head, though he wasn't wrong. Nearly every team in the World that thought they had a chance of being able to pay her had called over the last week. They had done the same to Oliver, but they had both agreed that they enjoyed being at home too much to move.
However, there was big news that she needed to break to her coach and so her stomach began to churn.
"I'm not leaving," she began slowly. "But I'm taking a break."
"Taking a break?"
Adair nodded. She didn't know if what she wanted was even possible. "I can't explain it right now, but if everything goes according to plan, I'll be taking this next season off and hopefully coming back after that." She looked up from her hands finally. "If you'll give me the chance, that is."
"Of course I would." Coach Williams looked at her. "Is everything alright?"
Adair nodded. "I'm hopeful that I'll be able to tell you more soon."
Coach Williams nodded. "I look forward to it."
ooooOoooo
When Adair got home, she knew she only had a few hours before Charlie would return so she went to work. She pulled out a mid-size cauldron and began brewing the ingredients she had purchased in Diagon Alley after the meeting with Coach Williams.
With only a few minutes to spare, Adair took a vial into the master bathroom and crouched down before the cabinet under the sink where they kept their contraceptive potions.
After a brief hesitation, she poured the clear liquid into both of the cauldrons. It would not alter the smell or taste, only the effectiveness.
Her eyes went wide when she realized what she had done, but she didn't make a move to undo it. Instead, she hurried into the kitchen to clean up the mess before Charlie arrived.
There you go! I hope you enjoyed it! Please let me know what you think! As always, any ideas you have are the most inspiring thing of all! I love a prompt!
Happy reading,
Avonmora