(no subject)

[clumsy_auror]

*It's a rather warm evening, so Nymphadora strips down to her tank top before stepping out onto the porch, feet bare. She slides into one of the chairs and props her legs up on the railing, watching the fireflies dance through the air over the lake.*

Comments

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*Bernard's still brushing his teeth and checking on Sunny. She's kicked her covers off, so he pulls them back up a little and kisses her.

He walks back out into the hallway and into their bedroom.

No Nymphadora. Porch door's open.*

Hey.

*He sits on the floor at her hip and watches with her.*

She's out like a light.

[clumsy_auror]

Well, she wore me out, so I suppose that's fitting.

*Nymphadora yawns tiredly, rubbing one eye.*

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*He leans his head against her thigh, taking her free hand and kissing her palm.*

Stop reading her forty-five stories at night and you won't be so tired.

[clumsy_auror]

*Her fingers run gently back and forth along his jaw.*

I know. She just always wants another one, and I figure it's good she likes reading with me so much, and also it's fun to do the faces.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*Bernard's eyes slip closed.*

I know.

*He turns his head to press a kiss to her thigh.*

Between dinner and overexcited toddler and everything, I never asked how work went.

[clumsy_auror]

Was pretty okay. Had a good meeting with Allbright. How was your day?

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Busy.

I missed you.

*He sighs, face still against her leg.*

Val miscarried.

[clumsy_auror]

*She goes very still, and holds her breath for a moment.*



What happened?

*The tense set of his shoulders makes her brow furrow, and she smooths her fingers over his back.*

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Didn't follow the doctor's orders. Didn't eat right, rest right.

Didn't even take her fucking vitamins.

Didn't even care about it till it was gone as far as I can tell.

[clumsy_auror]

*She swears softly under her breath, head bowed for a moment.*

Still. That's never an easy thing, I wouldn't think. To lose a baby.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

No. It's not.

Although I have to say I've lost a lot of respect for her over it. Her and Luke.

They weren't even going to see a doctor when she miscarried. She could have bled to death. Kitty had to force them. Just as she had to force Val to see a doctor at all, and I had to force her to stop working cause she knew the baby was in danger and she wanted to work anyway.

You shouldn't have to force adults to take responsibility.

[clumsy_auror]

*a heavy sigh*

I know. I wish they'd done things differently.

But what's done is done. All we can do is hope they've learned from it.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

We'll see.

*There's a long pause. The crickets chirp.*

Talked to Thom today.

[clumsy_auror]

...Oh?

*Her voice is still rather quiet, and her fingers slide up into his hair, skritching him gently like a cat.*

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Yeah.

*He sighs and arches his back a little.*

Says he can make the scars fade.

[clumsy_auror]

He can-- really?

Blimey.

*She keeps on running her fingers through his hair, soothing.*

And how do you feel about that?

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Dunno.

Said he might not be able to get rid of them.

But they'd be less.




How do you feel about it?

[clumsy_auror]

*matter-of-factly*

Your scars could be neon green and I wouldn't give a rat's rear end. You know that.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*He grins softly into the night, kissing her thigh again.*

Love you.

[clumsy_auror]

I love you too.

*Nymphadora leans over and kisses his temple.*

You do what you think is best for you. I'll be there, in any case.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Okay.

*He's quiet for a long time, chewing his lip.*










Think I'll let him try.

He wants to make recompense.

[clumsy_auror]

That's good.

I'm glad you're willing to give him that chance.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

I don't think he had any idea what he was doing. He's a kid, really.

[clumsy_auror]

Yeah. That's what I hear.

People make mistakes.

*She's quiet for a moment, gazing out over the lake once more. Then she glances down at her watch, and a slow grin spreads across her face.*

...Happy birthday.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

...Shit, is it midnight already?

*He smiles.*

Thanks.

The kite Aziraphael get me is so cool.

[clumsy_auror]

I know. I can't wait to watch you and Sunny with it. She'll be in heaven.

*Nymphadora slides down onto the porch beside him, crossing her legs Indian-style.*

D'you want your present now?

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*He crosses his legs, too, grinning boyishly.*

Sure.

[clumsy_auror]

*She can't help but grin back at him, as she lifts her hand to the open porch door and speaks in a clear voice.*

Accio present.

*A small, square package, wrapped simply in bright red paper, sails through the doorway and smacks into her hand.*

Okay. Open it.

*She looks a little nervous.*

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*He's not the sort to be careful with wrapping paper. It's ripped right off.*

[clumsy_auror]

*Inside the box is a smooth, flat, opalescent stone, pleasantly warm to the touch. It fits perfectly in the palm of Bernard's hand.

Nymphadora clears her throat, still looking a little anxious.*

It's, um, a memory stone. I've charmed it, you see, with some of my mental pictures of us -- flashes of memory and emotions. Good ones. And we can add some of yours, too. All you have to do is--

*She reaches out and curls his fingers around it.*

--You just hold it, and you feel it. See it.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*Bernard's eyes close and he can seefeelheartouchsmell a thousand things at once.

--lips on her breastthighneckearwaistfingertip--

--i love you too--

--be my wife?--

--i like the grass flavored ones--

--want my kids to be your kids too--

--on the desk in the study--

He opens his eyes a second later, dazed.*

[clumsy_auror]

*Her voice quiets, again, and she bites her lip.*

I just thought-- on the days I'm gone--

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*He laughs and it almost sounds like a sob of relief as he leans forward to kiss her firmly.*

It's perfect.

I love it.

[clumsy_auror]

*Her face lights up, and her hand slides up to rest on the side of his neck as she kisses him back.*

I'm glad.


...Old man.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Hey. They grey hair's all your fault.

*He's still grinning even though his tone's offended, and he kisses her again, slower.*

[clumsy_auror]

Yeah, yeah. Suuuuure.

*Nymphadora laughs against his lips and then hugs him tightly, her head resting contentedly on his shoulder.

After a moment, she speaks again.*

You ready for bed? 'Cause there's another part of your present...

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

...Does it involve cucumbers? Just be sure you peel it this time, okay? Couldn't walk straight for a week.

[clumsy_auror]

*Nymphadora snorts a laugh.*

You sod.

Well, if you'd rather not find out....

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

You're joking, right?

*He stands and pulls her up, kissing her as soon as she's at mouth-level.*

[clumsy_auror]

Mmmm.

*She leans back a moment later, eyes sparkling in the moonlight, and squeezes his hands.*

Come inside.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*Bernard grins again and follows her in.

The door to the porch shuts.

The fireflies and the crickets continue their song and dance routine uninterrupted.*