Criminal by Britney Spears

Chapter 7

Later that night, Rod couldn't get comfy, so he got up and went to the couch. When he felt the pain wrap around his stomach, he took a breath. "Shit," he muttered.

Rabastan came out to get a drink and saw him. "Rodolphus, you okay?"

"I'm fine. Can't get comfy in bed, but I can't get comfy here either," Rod huffed, getting up and going back to bed.

Rabastan watched him.

Rodolphus had four more pains before the sun came up. When it was time to face the day, feeling really irritated, he got up to shower, pushing Lucius off the bed.

Lucius blinked. "What?"

"I need help up," Rod said.

Lucius got up, helping him stand and holding him until he got his balance.

Rodolphus went to the bathroom before another pain struck, gripping the sink as he groaned.

Lucius knocked on the door. "Rodolphus, what's wrong?" He opened the door to find him standing there.

Rodolphus huffed. "Nothing, I'm going to shower."

Lucius waited on him, worried.

Rod came out. "Breakfast, Luc."

"Yeah, you feel like eating though?" Lucius asked.

Rod shrugged. "Something cold. Heartburn right now."

Lucius nodded.

Rabastan watched them come in and sit, looking at Lucius.

Lucius shook his head.

Rodolphus rubbed his lower stomach. "Gesh, Rab, stop staring already."

Lucius blinked, thinking Rod was agitated because of the pain, just like last time. "Does he have his wand?"

Rabastan blinked. "Okay, what's going on?"

Their parents gave a knowing look. "Just leave him alone, Rabastan."

"I'm done," Rod said, standing up.

Lucius followed him to hold onto him.

Rodolphus frowned. "Lucius, what are you doing?"

Lucius blinked. "I'm holding you. Why?"

"No, the magic. Why is your magic loose?" Rod asked.

Lucius blinked. "Um, is it?"

Rabastan said, "I don't feel it."

Their parents added, "We don't either."

Rod huffed. "Okay, then I'm going crazy. Good lord," he muttered, walking out of the dining room.

Lucius looked at them. "I don't understand."

Their mom said, "It's the twins. They're drawing the father's magic for the mother. Magical twins do that. They did it to me."

Lucius nodded and rushed to Rodolphus. "You okay, love?"

Rod nodded before groaning and feeling faint, sliding down the wall he was leaning on in pain. "Oh God, this hurts."

Their parents rushed out. "Rodolphus," they called.

Lucius was getting him back up when another pain hit him twice as hard as the first.

Rabastan said, "Rodolphus, you're in labor, aren't you?"

Rod said, "It hurts so much more than before."

Lucius held him. "Let's go to our room."

Rod nodded, huffing, walking to the bed, and sitting down with a sigh. "This hurts, Luc."

Lucius nodded. "I know, Rod. You sure you don't want a healer here?"

Rod said, "No, just you and my family."

Lucius nodded.

Word count 496