In the new flat

[clumsy_auror]

*The door swings open, and Nymphadora feels herself being pulled forward, Bernard's hands clasped tightly around hers. She's grinning from ear to ear.*

Can I open 'em yet?

Comments

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*A long sigh.*

Well.

I'll duck and cover.

[clumsy_auror]

*cheerfully, as she opens cupboard doors to peek inside*

Probably best, in the long run.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*He puts an arm around her waist and kisses her neck lightly.*

I didn't fill the cupboards with anything yet, obviously. Thought we'd get stuff from outside.

Also, I didn't know what you'd want. I mean, I made an appalling list of implements, but...

[clumsy_auror]

I'm not picky. We'll get what we need. And in this case, you're definitely more cut out to know what we need than I am.

I could get Crowley to help me pick things out, too. I've got a feeling he'd greatly relish the opportunity to spend other people's money.

*She grins, drifting towards the hall door, still looking around at the bright kitchen and into the dining room beyond.*

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*Bernard very nearly chokes, and rolls his eyes, blowing a breath out, as she walks away.*

...Yeah. And the Bar is inclined to get you pretty much anything you want.

*He doesn't mention that the Bar is less inclined to get him things at this particular moment in time.

She thinks he should just get on with it already.*

[clumsy_auror]

*She throws a grin over her shoulder at him.*

Well, I s'pose that is your salary, in a way. So that's good. But I can help pay for things, too. Aurors don't make a terribly high salary, but we do all right.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*Bernard snerks. If that's his salary...

Christ. He spent it all in one go. And then some.*

If you want to, it's up to you. Some of the stuff I had in mind isn't exactly cheap, because I knew the Bar would pay. So.

You could think of it as a housewarming gift.

[clumsy_auror]

I know. And I do.

*She leans up to kiss him, smiling crookedly.*

You have to allow me my modern-liberated-woman sensibilities. But we'll work it all out. I'm perfectly happy to let the Bar help us out, if she wants to.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*He tangles his fingers in her hair and kisses her cheek, smiling back*

I'd never try to stop you from being a 'modern-liberated-woman'. I'm from 1974, not 1904, and you're the sort of woman that women from my time dreamed their daughters would be. You're strong, independent, driven, and terrified of the kitchen.

It's one of the things I love most about you.

[clumsy_auror]

*Blushing hotly, she looks back at him for a second. Then she abruptly presses him against the kitchen counter and kisses him thoroughly.

After a few long moments, she pulls away and wanders out into the hallway.*

So! What else, then?

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*Blinking rapidly, mouth hanging open, Bernard shakes his head a few times.*

Um.

*He follows.*

Sunny's room.

[clumsy_auror]

*She nods approvingly, looking around the (appropriately) sunny room and poking her head into the closet.*

Nearly the same shade of blue. She'll like that. And lots of space for her to play.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*He nods, leaning against the doorframe and grinning. He folds his arms, looking proudly around the room.*

Wanted her to have a space she can grow in, you know? It's not like we could really move to a house with a bigger room for her, so.

[clumsy_auror]

*She looks back at him, watching as he gazes around the room, and it hits her yet again that they're raising this girl, that this room would soon be plastered with her own drawings, and in ten years there would be posters of bands and boys -- or girls, whichever -- and they would be there, the both of them, for her.

It's a little overwhelming, all of a sudden, and she abruptly plunks down on the windowseat.*

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*The smile fades from his face, and a worried crease forms between his eyes.*

What?

[clumsy_auror]

*Her voice is a bit faint, and she just shakes her head, a tiny smile creeping across her face.*

Nothing, I just...

She'll get big. Someday.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*After a moment, he nods.*

I dread the day when I can't stop her from doing something stupid by picking her up by the scruff of the neck.

*Leaning his head sideways against the door, he smiles back at her, eyes full of all the love in the world.*

She'll be a handful, you know.

[clumsy_auror]

*She laughs, standing up and joining him at the door, her hand wrapping around his.*

That's what Summoning Spells are for.

And yeah. She will be.

*a gentle poke in the ribs*

'Specially with you and I around to influence her.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

I don't know what you mean. I'm perfectly sedate. Practically boring.

[clumsy_auror]

*Snorting, she walks across the hall to the study, not even dignifying that with a response.*

Ohhhh, I like the colour.

*The walls are a mossy green, and the fireplace mirrors the one in the living room. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves stand along one wall.*

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*He strolls in and passes a hand over a walnut shelf.*

We need to fill these. I've collected a few books since I got here, but most of my books are back in Walla Walla still.

*He focuses on the shelves and the walls, trying to hide the way his eyes narrow and his face pales just a little.*

[clumsy_auror]

*Nymphadora sees, and she walks over, placing a hand at the small of his back, her tone light.*

Aziraphael's going to help us out there, I have a feeling.

And heaven knows I've got enough from Hogwarts and the Academy to fill a few shelves. History of Magic alone...

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*His face lights*

Got any potions textbooks?

[clumsy_auror]

Oh, sure. All except third year. That one met a rather violent end, I'm afraid.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*He's unreasonably excited.*

Maybe some Saturday we can mess around with potions ingredients...