(no subject)

[clumsy_auror]

"All right, let's see if our little friend is going to say hullo today-- ah ha! There we are."

Healer Durkin prods the floating sonogram image with his wand, and moves the transmitting stone just a hair so that the fetus comes into sharper focus.

Nymphadora blinks at the picture with wide, eager eyes.

"How does it look? Is it the proper size? Is that the head?"

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[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

"I know," he replies, his voice level, dropping his gaze to his hands. "I'm fine."

Durkin sends the vials off and turns back to regard them.

Regard Bernard.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves, all right?"

[clumsy_auror]

"Right," she says quickly. "No getting ahead of ourselves. How long will it be until we know?"

The Healer picks up the chart and opens the door. "It'll be a few moments. I'll be back with the results as soon as I have them." And then he's gone.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

As soon as the door snicks shut, Bernard turns to Nymphadora, his eyes wide.

"Tell me I'm overreacting."

[clumsy_auror]

Her hand is tight around his.

"I dunno, Bernard. I know it's not uncommon, and that means it's something Healers know how to deal with, but--"

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

He laughs; the sound is hollow. "Not reassuring."

[clumsy_auror]

"I know, I just-- I don't know."

She smiles, and it's wavering, but it's there.

"But we're having a little girl."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

His arm twitches as he realizes: "Fuck. I'm an idiot. I forgot."

[clumsy_auror]

"You're not an idiot. It's just a lot to take in at once, is all."

Sighing, 'Dora lets her head thump back onto the headrest.

The clock ticks into the silence.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

They sit there for a moment, unmoving, their hands fused together against the edge of the cot, until Bernard stands jerkily, his stool knocking against the instrument table, and kisses her.

[clumsy_auror]

"Mmph--"

She very nearly laughs, but then instinct takes over and her free arm wraps around his neck of its own accord, pulling him closer.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

His arms slip around her, too tight, he knows, he's clinging, too close, and just as he pulls back, the door opens, followed by a soft chuckle.

"Right. Shall I just come back at a more convenient time?"

[clumsy_auror]

Red-faced, Nymphadora peeks around Bernard's shoulder. "No, no, sorry--"

The Healer holds up a hand and smiles wryly. "You don't have to explain it to me. Babies bring this sort of thing out in people. Now," he continues, drawing a stool up to the examining table and sitting down on it. "The test results weren't conclusive. That doesn't mean we're in the clear, though. I'll be checking again in a couple of weeks. In the meantime you have to keep a weather eye on this, all right?"

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Bernard clears his throat, red from collar to hairline (and beyond), and sits again, the stool scraping against the floor. "Is there anything we can be doing at home? Looking out for?"

[clumsy_auror]

"For the time being, just more of the same. If the symptoms you're having worsen in any way, you're to come in straight away. All right?"

Nymphadora reaches over to take Bernard's hand again, and then nods. She swallows, her mouth suddenly dry. "Sure. Of course."

The Healer smiles reassuringly, and reaches up to pat the witch on ther shoulder. "Chins up. Even if it turns out that there's a problem, it's nothing new. We'll get it in hand."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Bernard's eyes narrow at the older man briefly, but then he pastes a smile across his face. "Thanks, doc." His hand snakes over to enfold Nymphadora's tightly. "Is there anything else we need to do here, then?"

[clumsy_auror]

"Not a thing," replies Durkin, getting to his feet. "Enjoy the afternoon." With a smile, he ducks out into the hallway and closes the door behind him.

Fo a moment 'Dora just sits. The she takes a deep breath. "Well. Um." Sitting up, she turns her back to Bernard. "Untie my gown?"

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

His fingers fumble on the neat bows he'd tied so easily before. He manages one before his arms slip around her again, front to back, his chin settling on her shoulder.

"Hey."

[clumsy_auror]

Smiling faintly, 'Dora rubs her cheek against his, her fingers sliding over his knuckles.

"Hey."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

A long breath rushes in and out of him.

"I love you."

[clumsy_auror]

"I love you, too."

She lifts his hand, kissing the palm, and then rests it firmly against her belly.

"And she's gonna be just fine."

Just saying the word, she, makes her smile without even thinking. Before it was an it, and now it's a she, a person. A beautiful little girl.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Before he came to Milliways, before he met Nymphadora, Bernard didn't know it was possible to smile and frown and worry and be joyful, all at once.

He manages it, now, as his hand smooths over the soft curve of their second daughter.

"You're gonna be just fine, too."

[clumsy_auror]

Nymphadora doesn't really trust her voice, all of a sudden. Doesn't trust herself to come up with the right words. So she simply nods, still smiling faintly, and turns her head to skim the tip of her nose along Bernard's cheek.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Eventually they manage to disentangle themselves, to get her dressed and him calm, to sign parchments and to walk out of the hospital, hand in hand. The area around St. Mungo's is bustling with people, a typical afternoon near Piccadilly, and it's with some relief that the two of them turn down a quieter street.

"...You hungry?"

[clumsy_auror]

'Dora gives him a sidelong, somewhat wry look. "I'm sorry. Who are you talking to, again?"

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

He grins. "Okay, noted. Rephrase: You wanna go home to eat, or find a place?"