(no subject)

[clumsy_auror]

Dusk is falling over the lake, and a chill breeze begins to cut through the air. A few of the trees have started to turn, and some leaves have even fallen onto the back porch.

And it is there that Nymphadora is sitting, slumped slightly in one of the deck chairs, fast asleep.

Comments

[clumsy_auror]

She pulls Sunny into her lap again, looking a bit stricken. "We're all right now, Sunny. Really."

[talented-biter.livejournal.com]

"Fo' now." Suspiciously. "Keep fam'ly safe."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Bernard kneels beside them, brushing a stray curl out of Sunny's eyes.

He's still got purple fingerpaint in his hair.

"We keep each other safe. But that's not something that's your job quite yet."

[clumsy_auror]

"That's right." She leans down to kiss the child's cheek. "It's ours -- your dad's and mine. Your job right now is to get big and have fun and make Art and learn new words."

[talented-biter.livejournal.com]

She looks uncertain. "...Sunny keep fam'ly safe." Klaus kept Violet and Sunny safe. Violet kept Sunny and Klaus safe. Sunny kept Klaus and VIolet safe.

That's how family works.

"An' make Art."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Yes, but that's not how it has to be.

"And we'll keep you safe. And display your Art."

[clumsy_auror]

"You've had to do a lot of things most other kids don't have to, Sunshine," Dora says quietly, rubbing her back. "We're proud of you for being able to take care of yourself, when you had to. And you do make things better for us, just by being you."

[talented-biter.livejournal.com]

"Kay." Agreeably.

The BENEFITS of being two.

"Still kick ass o' any dumbshit who try an' mess wif you o' Daddy o' baby."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Bernard doesn't even try to correct her.

"Well, you throw a mean shoe, kiddo."

[clumsy_auror]

"That you do." Dora leans back in her chair, pulling Sunny along with her to rest against her chest. "You're our brave girl."

[talented-biter.livejournal.com]

"Yup." Beaming. Proudly. And covered in paint.

She doesn't MIND this.

"No touch fam'ly."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

"No. Never."

He's dead serious.

"We'll make sure of it."

He looks up at his wife, and if he's thinking of the man following her the other night, he tries not to show it too much.

[clumsy_auror]

Nymphadora sees it, anyway. "What d'you reckon, lovely?" she asks Sunny, still looking at Bernard. "Time for a bath to get yourself cleaned up?"

[talented-biter.livejournal.com]

"Kay. Gonna be swamp monster inna tub."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

That breaks the moment. Bernard grins.

"I'm terrified already."

[clumsy_auror]

Dora smiles, too, and hands off Sunny to Bernard. Because growing toddler+growing belly=not so much with the good balance.

"Reckon we'll all need a turn in the bath, tonight."

[talented-biter.livejournal.com]

"Shawe bubbles," generously.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Bernard cocks an eyebrow at Nymphadora over Sunny's head.

"Well, that's very nice of you."

He stands, juggling her a bit.

"Let's go run the bath."

They walk into the flat together.

[clumsy_auror]

Nymphadora stays in the bedroom while Sunny and Bernard go to run her bath.

Leaning against the open porch door for a few moments, she watches the sun slip down behind the trees, and rubs her bare arms as the cool wind washes over her.

Finally she turns away, closing the door against the cool of the evening, and goes to join her family.