(no subject)

[clumsy_auror]

'Dora's in the flat -- she's not getting out much, this week, with Bernard stuck in the cells. But the kids are asleep at the moment, and she's currently reading, stretched out on the sofa.

Comments

[young_tmriddle]

Tom, with shiny new ring on his left hands, knocks as he opens the door and walks in. "Hullo, hullo. Busy?"

He is still walking on clouds. It's okay - he can come down to earth a bit now.

[clumsy_auror]

Craning her neck back, Nymphadora half-smiles. "Hey. Not so much, no, the babies are in bed. C'mon in. Kettle's warm if you want a cuppa."

She picks up her legs to make room on the couch. Because she's hospitable like that."

[young_tmriddle]

He helps himself to tea and comes back in, settling on the sofa. His grin is ridiculous.

"Door and I ran off on a whim and got married Friday."

[clumsy_auror]

"...Seriously?"

[young_tmriddle]

"Seriously."

The grin's still there as he sips his tea.

"We'd planned it, but we never got round to setting a date for the ceremony, and then time got away from us, as it seems to do in the Underside, and then... she suggested and I said 'of course'."

[clumsy_auror]

'Dora's shocked expression softens into a pleased grin, and she sits up, slipping her arms around him in a warm hug.

"That's brilliant, Tom. I'm so happy for you two. I really think that was the way to go."

A pause.

"As disappointed I am not to have been stuffed into a taffeta monstrosity."

[young_tmriddle]

He hugs her back tightly. "I'd have liked to have a big to-do, and I'd have especially liked to have you there. But what we did suited us so well - we went to our cottage in Brittany and exchanged vows at sunset."

[clumsy_auror]

"I understand completely. Good on you, the both of you. Is Ingress pleased?"

[young_tmriddle]

"Now that we've allayed her pining for flower girl-dom with special treats and family outings, yes. How are you and the family? Well, I hope."

He didn't see Bernard in the bar area, and he doesn't see him about the flat.

"Where's Bernard?"

[clumsy_auror]

At that, she flops back onto the couch, an arm over her eyes.

"Cells."

[young_tmriddle]

And the grin is officially gone. (It will likely be back, even with the bad news - Tom is just that happy) "What happened?"

[clumsy_auror]

Now she's rubbing her eyes.

"Count Olaf showed up. Bernard broke his nose."

[young_tmriddle]

He puts an arm around her and decides against saying "Brilliantly done." He knows who Count Olaf is.

"Bloody hell. Are you alright?"

[clumsy_auror]

"'M all right, yeah. Just tired, dealing with the two kids on my own."

She leans her head against his.

"It'll be okay."

[young_tmriddle]

"You ought've owled us. We'd have- well, maybe we wouldn't have cut our wedding weekend short - but we'd definitely have made sure someone from the House was helping you. I'm here now - what can I do to help?"

[clumsy_auror]

A shake of her head. "I'm really okay at the moment. You're busy, and I'll not take you away from the Underside this week, with the wedding and with your normal work."

[young_tmriddle]

"Don't be ridiculous, 'Dora. We're practically family - I'm not leaving you on your own. How long must he stay in the cells?"

[clumsy_auror]

"Few days, Liam said. Hopefully he'll be home at the weekend. I mean, if you want to bring Ingress by for a few hours to play with Sunny, I'm sure she'd like that. And I'd love the time with you, too."

[young_tmriddle]

"I'll be here every moment I can spare. I'll even help with the baby, if I can figure out exactly what to do."

[clumsy_auror]

A tired laugh. "Well you--"

The quiet of the flat is broken by a thin, high wail from the bedroom; Nymphadora's bracelet glows blue.

"...Could learn how to feed him now, I suppose."

She hoists herself up off the sofa and shuffles down the hall to fetch Anthony.

[young_tmriddle]

He does not panic. Lords of the House of Arch don't panic.

Although he does hope she means feeding with a bottle. Otherwise... well, family ties can really only go so far.

When she returns to the living room he asks, "How is Sunshine doing, by the way?"

[clumsy_auror]

"All right," she replies, jogging Anthony gently on her way into the kitchen. "Bit quiet, but I suppose that's not unexpected."

She reappears, bottle in hand, and takes a seat beside Tom once more.

"Right, now. Here, hold him in the crook of your arm, like I'm doing now, and make sure you support his head."

[young_tmriddle]

Tom is most relieved to see the bottle.

Very carefully, he reaches out, and with much help from 'Dora, the baby is shifted to his arms.

"There we are. Hullo, Anthony."

[clumsy_auror]

Anthony's a little cranky, right now.

He misses Dad. And also, he's groggy and hungry.

But they're about to fix at least one of those things, at least.

"Now you just hold the bottle, like so," she continues, demonstrating, "and make sure there's no air getting into the nipple while he's eating."

[young_tmriddle]

Tom watches, focused on this important task. He takes the bottle, holds it just so, and Anthony begins eating.

"Like that?"

He looks to 'Dora to make sure he's not harming the infant in any way, shape, or form.

[clumsy_auror]

She beams, nodding. "Nothing to it, really. Just sort of have to watch him to see when he's getting close to done, so he doesn't spit out the bottle and make a mess."

[young_tmriddle]

"And if he does make a mess, that's easy enough to clean up. Isn't it, lad?"

He carefully, very carefully, gives Anthony his bottle. Once they both have the process down, he hazards a glance at 'Dora. "Is Olaf in the cells as well?"

[clumsy_auror]

She purses her lips. "No. He left the bar right after Bernard hit him."

[young_tmriddle]

"Smart. If he knows what's good for him, he won't come back."

He repositions the bottle, to make sure there's no air in the nipple.

[clumsy_auror]

"Security knows about him, at least." 'Dora rubs one eye. "He's bloody it was just Bernard and Sunny he ran into. If the rest of us had been there, we'd all be locked up, and there'd be a distinct lack of Count Olaf in any dimension, I think."

[young_tmriddle]

"Indeed. We've dealt with worse - he'd be easy." Tom's grin turns a bit fierce.

[clumsy_auror]

"Feel like we ought to be careful with Olaf, though. He's slipperier than he seems, if he's been tricking all the adults in Sunny's world."

[young_tmriddle]

He gives her a look. "We're not like the adults in his world. I'll do what I can to protect you and yours, 'Dora. I shall always do what I can. If Olaf tries anything, well. Let's just say that I can be more subtle than Bernard."

[clumsy_auror]

"I know."

She rests her head on his shoulder, looking down at Anthony.

"And you know I feel the same about your family."

[young_tmriddle]

"I do. That's what makes us strong enough to deal with this insane place."

Anthony is nearly done with his bottle, and Tom tips the bottle just so to make sure he gets the rest of the milk.

"Why don't I take care of the little ones while you go see Bernard? Or you could take a nap or something - you look utterly knackered. I'll have to go on our rounds tonight, but I can come back after. I'll help with the night feedings, and all."

[clumsy_auror]

'Dora's all set to protest, and then relents. "...Okay. That'd be really nice, Tom. Cheers." A yawn. "Reckon I could do with a bit of a sleep."

[young_tmriddle]

The bottle is empty.

"Erm. Before you go, what do I do with him now?"

[clumsy_auror]

She laughs. "He needs a burb. Just pat his back, and mind he doesn't spit up on you."

A pause.

"...D'you know how to change a nappy?"

[young_tmriddle]

He puts Anthony on his shoulder and pats his back. "I actually became quite skilled with the use of the scourgify spell when Sunny was with us. Change him and put him back down in his crib?"

[clumsy_auror]

"Yeah, he can sleep in the crib, too -- we've been putting him there now and again recently to make the switch from sleeping in our room a bit easier."

She stretches.

"Wake me if you need anything, okay?"

[young_tmriddle]

"I think we'll manage."

No spit up yet - they're doing great so far.

"You go now, dear. I'll hold down the fort."

[clumsy_auror]

"Okay." A swift kiss to his cheek. "Cheers, Tom."

And with a tired grin and a kiss to Anthony's head, 'Dora shuffles down the hallway, looking forward to some blessed sleep.