Authors' note: We hit a milestone this week. It's been 3 years since we posted the first chapter of Last Dance. We cannot believe it has been going on this long! We hope you all enjoy the next chapter! Thank you so much for reading!!!!!!
Maddie had brought Kiera over to visit with Darla, hoping to cheer her older sister up. She'd been so down since everything had happened with Hans, and according to Drew, the two hadn't talked in a few weeks now.
"I can't get over how big she's getting," Darla said looking down in the pram at her niece.
"Growing too fast for me," Maddie said. "And for Ethan."
"Can I hold her?" Darla asked.
"Of course you can," Maddie replied.
Darla grinned and gingerly picked up Kiera. "Hello, Miss Kiera."
Kiera let out a soft coo, her eyes fixated onto her aunt's.
"I know I'm biased but she is absolutely gorgeous," Darla said softly.
"If you're biased what does that make me?" Maddie joked.
"Good point," Darla said sitting down with the baby. "So, tell me. How has she been doing? Sleeping through the night?"
"Most of the time," Maddie nodded. "She's an absolute dream."
"That's because she's an angel," Darla said looking down at her niece. This was just what the doctor ordered.
"That she is," Maddie nodded, sitting down.
"I'm so glad you came over today," Darla told her sister.
"We wanted to cheer you up," Maddie said.
"Just like you did when we were kids," Darla smiled at her. "Thanks, Maddie."
"Anytime," Maddie smiled at her sister. "I hate that you're so unhappy."
"Apparently my husband could care less," Darla said looking down at Kiera who was squirming. She wanted to turn her head in the direction of Darla's stomach.
"I think he cares," Maddie said thoughtfully. "I think he just doesn't... get it."
"That's it in a nutshell," Darla said nodding. "He doesn't get it at all."
"I bet he'll come around," Maddie said softly.
"I hope so," Darla said. "You know mum and dad have been so great letting me stay here."
"They're the greatest," Maddie said as Kiera again tried to turn her body. "What is it, angel?" she asked.
Darla laughed. "I don't know, but she really wants to be on her side apparently..."
"She does like to sleep that way..." Maddie's voice died off as Kiera turned and stared straight into her eyes.
Darla caught the look on her sister's face. "Mads?"
Maddie didn't respond for a moment.
Darla wondered if her sister was having another vision.
"Dar..." Maddie finally said softly. "You... you're..."
"I'm what?" Darla asked, concern etched across her face. "Maddie, you're starting to freak me out."
"Pregnant..." Maddie whispered.
Darla gaped at her sister. "What? Maddie---"
"I don't know," Maddie said. "I mean... Kiera... it's like she... told me or something. All of a sudden I knew what my baby was thinking!"
Darla raised an eyebrow. "Maddie, how could you know what she's thinking? I mean, I know when you were pregnant with her, you could hear what she was hearing, but---"
"It's just like she knew," Maddie said. "That's why she kept looking at your stomach."
Darla shook her head. "This isn't possible. Hans and I haven't seen each other in weeks."
"It's a few months," Maddie said, touching her sister's stomach.
Kiera cooed happily at this.
"I-I can't be," Darla shook her head again. "Not now..."
"Get a test," Maddie gripped her free hand. "Then you'll know for sure."
Darla looked down at her niece trying to take all of this in. She knew that Maddie and Kiera had unique gifts, but there was no possible way this could be true. Maddie must have heard wrong or something.
"I'll go get you one right now," Maddie said. "Darla--"
Darla nodded wordlessly.
"It'll be okay," Maddie reassured her.
"I'll watch Kiera," Darla said barely noticing her sister grab her bag and cloak and rush out the door.
She stared back down at her niece. "Kiera... how do you know?" she asked in a nearly inaudible voice.
Kiera reached her little hand toward Darla's stomach.
Tears filled Darla's eyes as Kiera's tiny fingers came into contact with her shirt.
"A baby?" Darla asked in a voice barely above a whisper.
Kiera cooed softly.
"Sweetheart, do you and Maddie want some tea?" Luna asked coming into the sitting room from the kitchen. "Darla? Darla?"
"What?" Darla asked.
"I wanted to know if you wanted some tea," Luna asked coming around the sofa to get a better look at her daughter. "Sweetheart, are you okay? You look like you've just seen a ghost."
"I think I might be pregnant," Darla said hoarsely.
Again, Kiera let out a soft coo.
"Pregnant?" Luna asked taken aback.
"It's like she knew," Darla looked down at her niece. "She kept looking at my stomach. She touched it with her hand..."
"Kiera," Luna said softly.
"What if I am?" Darla asked. "Mum, what if I'm going to have a baby?"
Luna sat down beside her daughter. "If you are, you're not going to be alone, love. You have your family to support you and I know that you're going to be a great mum."
Tears welled up in Darla's eyes again.
"Oh, sweetheart," Luna said softly. "Everything's going to be fine."
"It feels like it'll never be fine again," Darla said, holding Kiera closer.
Maddie hurried back inside the house carrying a paper bag. "I bought three at the chemist's down the street."
"I uh..." Darla managed. "I'll just..."
"I'll send for Drew," Luna said knowing that Darla would want her twin.
"Thanks," Darla said, giving Kiera back to Maddie.
"We'll be right here," Maddie promised.
"Thanks," Darla said quietly.
Maddie watched her sister go upstairs. Her heart went out to Darla.
Luna picked up the phone and rang Drew's number at the office.
"Weasley Weddings," Drew answered.
"Drew," Luna replied. "It's Mum. Darla needs to see you straightaway. Can you come?"
"Is she okay?" Drew asked. "Did something happen with Hans?"
"She's fine," Luna told her. "But she'd really like you here. I'll explain when you arrive."
"I'll be there in a flash," Drew hung up.
"Mum," Maddie said. "Can you believe this? Kiera knew. She just knew. I heard her tell me."
"I believe you, love." Luna replied. "You two share a very, very special bond."
"She's so amazing," Maddie said softly.
Luna put an arm around her daughter. "Yes she is."
Maddie kissed her daughter's soft cheek. "My Kiera."
Drew came rushing in. "What's going on?"
Maddie told her sister what had happened. "So she's upstairs taking the tests right now."
"Oh my..." Drew said. "I'm going up to sit with her.
"We'll be here," Luna said giving her daughter's hand a squeeze.
"We'll let you know as soon as we find anything out."
Drew hurried upstairs and knocked on the bathroom door. "Dar? It's me."
"Drew?" Darla asked. "Come in..."
"Hey," Drew said opening the door. "How are you?"
"Drew," Darla was crying. "What if I'm pregnant?"
Drew wrapped her arms around her sister. "Sweetie, everything will be okay."
"I took all the tests," Darla said. "I just have to wait..."
Drew nodded. "I'll wait with you."
"Thanks," Darla said gratefully, squeezing her twin's hand.
"If you are," Drew said. "Are you going to tell Hans?"
"I don't know what I'm going to do yet," Darla answered.
"I'll be here for you no matter what," Drew promised, resting her head on Darla's shoulder.
"I know," Darla said.
The timer that Darla had set went off and she looked at her sister. "Oh..."
"Look at it," Drew said. "You'll feel better when you find out one way or the other."
Darla's hands were shaking as she walked over to the counter and picked up the first test.
Drew watched her sister as she stared at the tiny stick. "Dar?"
"The---first one is positive," Darla stammered.
"Oh Dar..." Drew breathed.
"I'm going to check the other two," Darla said stoically. "The instructions said you can sometimes get false positives."
"Of course," Drew nodded.
Darla looked at the second stick and saw the same positive sign.
"The third is positive too," Drew came up to her sister's side.
"Oh Merlin," Darla said nearly collapsing. "Drew, what am I going to do?"
"You're having a baby, Dar." Drew hugged her sister to her.
"That I'm going to raise alone," Darla said quietly. She was still trying to process this.
"You don't know that," Drew brushed her twin's hair back.
"He can't admit he has a wife," Darla sobbed. "What would they think about a baby?"
"They're going to have to face this," Drew said. "Hans especially. You have to tell him, Dar."
Darla nodded. "I don't even know how, Drew."
"I'll help you," Drew said. "However I can."
"You want to pose as me and go tell him for me?" Darla asked with a slight laugh.
"You know I would if I could," Drew told her.
Drew gave her sister another hug. "Kiera was right."
"That's amazing," Darla wiped her eyes. "An infant..."
"I wonder if she could hear the baby," Drew said thoughtfully. "We should ask Maddie."
"Maybe," Darla said, rubbing at her eyes. "I can't believe this. I've had no signs at all. No morning sickness, nothing..."
"Count your blessings," Drew said. "You remember how bad I was with Chloe?"
"Yeah," Darla managed a slight smile.
"The toilet and I were on a first-name basis with each other," Drew remembered. "I think I spent my entire first trimester in the loo."
"That might still happen," Darla said. "I... I should go see Lizzy or something."
Drew nodded. "Let's go downstairs and tell Mum and Maddie."
Darla nodded, following her sister out of the loo.
"Well?" Luna asked expectantly when her twin daughters entered the sitting room.
"I'm pregnant," Darla said softly.
Luna smiled. "Oh, sweetheart!"
"I don't know what to think just yet," Darla avoided all their eyes.
"It's a lot to take in," Maddie said. "But we're all here for you."
"Thanks," Darla said. "And... I'm sorry- I shouldn't have been so quick to doubt your gift, Maddie."
"Its okay," Maddie said giving her a hug.
"Speaking of which, what exactly happened there?" Drew asked. "You heard Kiera's thoughts?"
"In a way..." Maddie replied. "It was more or less... a sensation, and then a sudden knowledge. It's never happened before."
"Extraordinary," Drew said looking at her niece who was in Luna's arms, but whose eyes were focused on Darla's still flat stomach.
"It's really quite amazing," Luna gazed down adoringly at her granddaughter.
"Think she can tell me if it's a boy or a girl?" Darla asked dryly.
"I think we'll have to wait and see, for now." Maddie answered.
Darla put her head in her hands. "I'm scared to death, Mum."
"Its okay, baby," Luna passed Kiera back to Maddie and went to comfort her daughter.
"It's not that I'm not happy," Darla said hugging her mother tightly. "Hans and I talked about starting a family one day."
"You'll need to tell him, sweetheart." Luna said softly.
"It's not something I could tell him over the phone or in a letter," Darla said quietly.
"Of course not," Luna said. "We'll get him to come back here."
"How?" Darla asked her.
"We'll ring him and tell him you have to talk to him," Drew said. "He'll come rushing back."
Darla shook her head. "I'll ring him."
"Shall I stay with you then?" Drew asked.
"I'd like that," Darla said. She picked up the telephone, not really caring what time it was in the States right now. She dialled Hans' mobile number.
Her hopeful expression fell after a moment. "Voicemail."
"Leave a message," Drew urged. "Tell him you have to see him straightaway."
Darla opened her mouth but then put the phone down. "I can't."
"I can do it," Drew offered.
Darla shook her head. "I'm not ready to tell him. Not yet."
Drew put her arm around her sister. "Darla, you'll have to tell him."
"I will," Darla said. "Just not now."
"Whenever you're ready," Maddie said nodding.
"Why don't I go see if Lizzy's free?" Luna asked. "I'm sure she'd be able to fit you in."
"That'd be great, Mum," Darla said gratefully.
"I'll be right back," Luna patted her back then Flooed out.
Kiera held out her hands like she wanted to go to Darla.
"Oh, baby," Darla carefully took her niece. "You've turned my world around you know that?"
Kiera cooed happily at her.
"She's trying to cheer you up," Maddie said fondly.
"Just like her mum," Darla said smiling at her sister. "Thank you for what you did for me today, Maddie."
"I'm here for you, Darla," Maddie told her.
"We all are," Drew said as the phone rang. "I'll get that..."
Darla sat down again with Kiera in her arms. "Guess I need to practise this."
Maddie smiled. "She's happy to help."
Drew covered the receiver with her hand. "Dar? It's Hans."
"What?" Darla squeaked.
"He said he was checking his messages and noticed that he had a missed call," Drew whispered. "Do you want to talk to him?"
"No," Darla said, panicking.
Drew looked at her sister. "I can tell him to come home..."
Darla shook her head emphatically.
Drew nodded and uncovered the receiver. "Hans? She--she doesn't want to talk to you."
"She obviously wanted to talk to me earlier," Hans said. "She called..."
"She'll talk to you when she's ready." Drew told him.
"I'd really like to speak with her now," Hans said trying to keep his temper in check. "Come on. This is the first time she's contacted me in days."
Drew sighed. "Dar? He really wants to speak to you."
Darla looked over at Maddie who nodded encouragingly. She held out her hand for the phone.
"Hans?" she asked quietly.
"Darla," Hans said softly. "Why didn't you leave a message on my voicemail?"
"Why bother?" she asked.
"Because we're still married," Hans replied. "And I love you. I just woke up actually. Babe, I've missed you so much."
"Then why haven't you rung?" she whispered.
"Would you have taken my calls?" Hans asked her.
"I don't know," Darla said truthfully.
"Well, you called a few minutes ago," Hans said. "What did you want to talk about?"
Darla was silent.
"Dar?" Hans asked.
"I can't talk to you on the phone," Darla said.
"I can come to you," Hans offered.
"If you're not busy," Darla closed her eyes.
"I just need to take a shower and get dressed," Hans said. "I'll see you in a few minutes, alright?"
"I guess," Darla replied, butterflies fluttering in her stomach.
"I'll see you then," Hans said before hanging up the phone.
Darla let out a breath. "He's coming. Here."
Drew gave her sister's hand a squeeze. "That's good, isn't it?"
"I don't know," Darla shook her head.
"You can tell him," Drew told her.
Darla didn't respond.
"And if Mum's able to get you in to see Lizzy, the two of you can go together," Maddie said.
Darla's hands trembled as she combed her fingers through her hair.
Hans arrived about a half hour later, his hair still damp from his shower. "This must be serious," he said to Drew as she led him into the sitting room. "The sisters are here."
Maddie nodded to him. "Hello, Hans."
"Hi," Hans said offering her a slight smile. "Is that Kiera? She's really grown since the last time I saw her."
Maddie nodded. "She has."
"Maddie, how about you and I take Kiera in the kitchen?" Drew suggested. "So we can give these two a chance to talk."
"I think she's due for a feeding," Maddie nodded.
"Thanks," Darla told her sisters.
Drew squeezed her twin's hand. "Good luck," she whispered.
Hans looked at his wife. "You look great, Dar."
"Thanks," Darla said, wrapping her arms around herself.
"Your dad and brothers aren't here waiting to ambush me, are they?" Hans asked.
"No," Darla said. "None of them are home."
"This was a good day for you to call actually," Hans said. "I have the first day off I've had since this whole whirlwind began."
"That's nice," Darla said tightly.
"Not that I wouldn't have come otherwise," Hans said hastily.
"Right," Darla said, getting up and walking across the room.
"So, how have you been?" Hans asked.
Darla shook her head and opened her mouth as Luna tumbled back through the fireplace.
Luna dusted herself off and didn't see Hans. "Good news, Darla. Lizzy can see you at one."
"Lizzy?" Hans rose to his feet. "Dar- are you sick?"
Luna paled. "Hans? I-I didn't see you there."
"He just got here," Darla said quietly.
"Darla, answer me," Hans said. "Are you sick?"
"Not exactly," Darla hedged.
"I'll---I'll just go in the other room," Luna said giving her daughter a hug.
Hans watched his mother in law leave. "Dar..."
"Do you remember Christmas Eve?" Darla asked him.
"What about it?" Hans asked.
"That was such a great night," Darla remembered. "I remember thinking that it couldn't get any better than that. You and me in our home, as close as could be."
"We can have that again, Dar." Hans crossed the room to her.
"As long as I keep quiet about who I really am, right?" Darla asked.
"Darla come on," Hans said. "Is this why I rushed over here?"
"What if it wasn't just me in the picture, Hans?" Darla asked him angrily. "Hmm? What if we had children? Would we have to lie about them, too?"
Hans was confused. "What?"
"What if you and I had a little boy or a little girl," Darla asked. "Would we have to pretend they didn't exist, too?"
"We don't have a kid, though," Hans was still confused.
Darla rolled her eyes. "Hypothetically, Hans. If we did, what would you do?"
"I don't know," he said honestly. "I haven't thought that far ahead, Darla."
"Of course you haven't," Darla said angrily.
Hans raked his hands through his hair. "I just can't ever say anything right, can I?"
"You just don't get it, do you?" Darla asked.
"Apparently not," Hans stared back at her.
"I'm your wife and I need you now more than ever," Darla said meeting his gaze.
"I need you too," Hans replied.
"It hasn't seemed like it lately," Darla said looking away.
"That's why we need to talk," Hans said. "Not argue- but talk."
"I agree," Darla said, sitting back down. "There's something you need to know."
"Tell me," Hans said.
Darla thought for a few moments about what she would say. "Maddie brought Kiera over to cheer me up. We were having a great time actually, but Kiera wanted to turn on her side so she could look at my stomach..."
Hans nodded, wanting her to continue.
"Maddie started acting kind of strange too," Darla told him. "I didn't know what was happening, but apparently, Maddie was able to hear Kiera's thoughts...."
"And?" he pressed.
"There's a reason why Kiera was looking at my stomach," Darla said softly. "She was communicating with the baby."
Hans started to shake his head but froze. "Baby?"
"Baby," Darla said nodding.
"You're having a baby?" he asked.
"I took three tests," Darla told him. "They were all positive."
Hans was speechless
"That was my reaction too," Darla admitted.
"When?" Hans asked.
"I don't know," Darla said. "But, I'm thinking the baby was conceived on Christmas Eve since that was the last time we were together."
"Wow," Hans shook his head.
"This is a lot sooner than we planned," Darla said.
"Yeah..." Hans said. "You... you're sure?"
"Not entirely," Darla said. "I guess when I see Lizzy she can confirm it."
"I'll go with you," Hans said immediately.
"You don't have to," Darla protested.
"I want to," Hans replied.
"I don't want to go through this alone," Darla admitted.
"You won't have to," he promised, reaching for her hand.
"I'm scared," Darla whispered.
"Me too," he admitted.
Darla allowed him to hold her. "I can't believe this is happening."
"It's going to be okay," he said, burying his face in her hair.
"How?" Darla asked. "It's going to be hard to hide a baby, Hans."
"I don't know what we'll do yet," Hans said. "But let's take it one step at a time..."
Darla pulled away from him. "You're more worried about your career!"
"I am not," he denied.
Darla glared at him. "I know you and I know how your mind works, Hans. That was your first thought. You were worried about how to explain that to your bloody agent!"
"Darla," Hans was exasperated. "I was not! This is freaking me out, okay? And not because of my career- this is the biggest thing to EVER happen to me!"
"It's the biggest thing to ever happen to me too!" Darla shot back. "And I don't look forward to going through it alone, thank you very much!"
"I never said you'd have to!" Hans snapped/
Darla put her head in her hands. "I'm sorry. I know you're just as freaked out as I am."
Hans softened his tone. "I'll figure something out Dar. I promise."
"I can't do this by myself," Darla said looking at him with tears in her eyes. "I can't."
"You won't have to," Hans reached for her. "I'm going to be there for you. For the baby."
"Promise?" Darla asked in a small voice.
"I promise," Hans said softly.
"Oh, Hans," Darla said allowing him to hold her again. "A baby..."
"I can't believe it," he shook his head.
"This was the last thing in the world I expected to be dealing with," Darla said softly.
"Me too," he said honestly.
Darla looked at him. "Oh… what if it's twins? Or triplets? They run in my family, you know..."
"Then we'll make do," Hans said.
"Joshie always looks like he needs more sleep," Darla said, standing up and starting to pace. "I used to laugh when I saw him. Oh, Merlin! Do you think that means we're going to have quadruplets? I--I couldn't----"
"Let's find out for sure, first," Hans said.
"Right," Darla said nodding. "No...no need to wig out now."
"Not yet," he said, touching her cheek.
"I'm really glad you're here," Darla said.
"I'm glad you rang me," he said.
"I couldn't leave a message," Darla told him sheepishly. "That's not something you can break on the phone."
"I would have come even if I was on a shoot," he said. "I thought something had happened to you."
"You really would have come?" Darla asked.
"Yes," he said. "I would have."
Darla wanted to believe him. But, so much had happened; she wasn't sure what to think. Then again, he was here now and she didn't want any hostility between them. "So, what have you been up to? This is really the first day off you've had?"
"Yeah," he admitted. "I've been running back and forth between New York and LA."
"Los Angeles, too?" Darla asked.
He nodded. "It's been mad."
"I--I saw your pictures in OK magazine," Darla said quietly. "You were with that model, Katya."
"They like pairing us up," Hans shrugged.
"She's beautiful," Darla said looking away.
"Not like you," Hans said.
Darla laughed. "Hans, in case you haven't noticed, I'm not getting paid to show my face. I don't have legs that go up to there..."
"Do you know how much makeup she has on?" Hans asked. "How much airbrushing they do on her legs to make them look like that?"
"You're just saying that to make me feel better," Darla argued.
"No I'm not," Hans said. "She has all these veiny... things... all over her legs. They can't even cover them up with makeup."
"She has varicose veins?" Darla asked, trying not to smile at this.
"Whatever they're called," Hans shook his head.
Darla couldn't help laughing.
"You have no reason to be jealous of her," Hans said.
"I wasn't jealous," Darla protested. "...much."
Hans tucked her hair behind her ear. "No reason to be," he said again.
"You did leave me in a dressing room to go run off to a party with her," Darla said, pouting.
"Dar--" he began.
Darla started to cry again, wondering if it was the hormones that were making her so emotional.
"What is it?" he asked, concerned.
"I was just remembering that night," Darla admitted.
"I shouldn't have left you," he told her. "It was a stupid decision on my part."
Darla looked up at him. Was he finally getting it? She threw her arms around him and held him tightly.
"I love you, sweetheart," he said.
"I love you too," Darla whispered.
"Come on," he said. "Let's get you to Lizzy."
"Right," Darla said. "I--I just need to say goodbye to my mum and sisters."
Hans nodded.
Darla took his hand and led him into the kitchen where Drew, Luna and Maddie were sitting.
"We didn't hear anything breaking so we figured everything was okay," Drew said.
"We're headed over to see Lizzy," Darla replied.
Luna smiled. "Everything's going to be fine, sweetheart."
Darla nodded. "Thanks Mum."
Hans noticed that Kiera was looking at Darla's stomach and he grinned. "This is wild."
"Very much so," Maddie agreed. "We wouldn't have known yet if she hadn't... told me."
"Early bonding with her cousin," Luna said happily.
"Let's hope so," Darla said. "We'll be back soon."
"Good luck," Drew said.
Darla and Hans Flooed over to St. Mungos where Lizzy was waiting for them.
"Hey, you," Lizzy said giving her sister-in-law a hug.
"Hey Liz," Darla said, her voice still a bit shaky.
"Thanks for agreeing to see us so soon," Hans said to her.
"Anything for family," Lizzy replied. "Let's get you into an exam room."
"Right," Darla said reaching for Hans' hand.
They followed Lizzy down the corridor. "I'll let you change quickly," she said.
"Thanks," Darla said quietly.
"There's a gown behind the curtain there," Lizzy told her. "I'll be right back."
"We appreciate it," Hans told her.
Lizzy left the room and Darla walked behind the curtain and began to undress.
"You okay?" Hans asked.
"I'm nervous," Darla said honestly.
"Me too," Hans answered.
"This will change everything," Darla said softly, coming out from behind the curtain, dressed in the hospital gown.
"Yes it will," Hans said, running his hands through his hair.
"You look really pale," Darla said. "Are you okay?"
"Nerves," he told her, sitting down.
"I know the feeling," Darla said, using the step stool to get up on the examination table. "It's cold up here."
He moved to sit next to her, rubbing her arms. "Better?"
Darla smiled. "Much."
Hans leaned in and gave her a gentle kiss.
"You're being really great," Darla said when they pulled apart.
"I love you," Hans said.
"I love you too," Darla said.
There was a soft knock on the door. "Are you ready, Darla?" Lizzy asked.
"Yes," Darla called back.
Lizzy came into the room and closed the door behind her. "Let's get started then. I'm going to take your vitals and then we'll do the necessary tests."
"Okay," Darla reached for her husband's hand.
Hans's mobile phone began to ring and Lizzy looked at him. "You'll need to turn that off in here."
"Sorry," he reached into his pocket.
Darla was pleasantly surprised that he didn't make an argument or ask to leave the room to answer the phone.
Hans turned it off. "I'm here," he told her.
"You really are," Darla said smiling at him.
Lizzy waved her wand and made some notations on the chart she held. "Drink this," she told her sister in law.
"Okay," Darla said taking the glass. "What is it?"
"Just something that will help me see your symptoms." Lizzy told her.
Darla nodded and drank the liquid.
"Okay," Lizzy set the vial down. "Give me a few moments here..."
Hans squeezed Darla's hand.
"Congratulations are in order," Lizzy said with a grin.
"We're really pregnant?" Hans asked.
"You certainly are," Lizzy replied.
"Is it too soon to tell if it's a boy or girl?" Darla asked. "Or plural boys and girls?"
"You're three and a half months along," Lizzy replied. "I can tell you the sex if you'd like."
Darla looked at Hans. "Do you want to know?"
"Whatever you want," Hans replied.
"I'd like to know," Darla admitted.
Hans nodded. "Then we'd like to know."
"Well, you are having a boy," Lizzy told them.
"A boy?" Darla's eyes filled with tears. "A baby boy?"
Lizzy nodded. "A son."
"Hans..." Darla whispered.
"A son," Hans whispered. "My boy...."
"I can't believe it," she gasped.
"And he appears to be quite healthy," Lizzy said.
Darla wiped her eyes. "Healthy?"
"Healthy," Lizzy smiled.
"That's fantastic," Hans said hoarsely.
"You'll need to take prenatal vitamins," Lizzy said. "And take it easy. Try to avoid stress as much as possible...'
"Okay," Darla nodded.
"Make an appointment at the desk," Lizzy told her. "I'll want to see you in about two weeks."
"I will," Darla replied. "Thank you so, so much."
"Congratulations," Lizzy told them both. "I'll see you later."
Darla threw her arms around her husband when Lizzy had left them alone. "A boy!"
"I know!" Hans said excitedly. "Our boy, Darla!"
"Ours," she agreed, burying her face in his shoulder.
Hans was so glad he'd been here for this. He'd never forgiven himself had he missed it.
"Let's go tell everyone the good news," she said.
Hans laughed. "You should probably get dressed, first."
"I know," she said, using the gown to wipe her eyes again.
"This is amazing, Darla," Hans said. "We're having a boy! I can teach him how to fly, how to play football..."
She laughed. "All those guy things."
"I'm going to be there for everything," Hans promised. "His first steps. His first words..."
Perhaps this is what they had needed to salvage their relationship. It was unexpected, but Darla was happy for it.
"My mum and dad are going to be over the moon," Hans said excitedly.
"Let's go tell them right now," Darla said as she quickly changed.
"You want to tell Drew first," Hans said. "I know you..."
"You're right," Darla said.
"We can tell your side of the family first and then we can go tell mine," Hans said.
"Thank you," she said flinging her arms around him.
"Chloe will have a little boy to boss around," Hans said holding her tight.
Darla laughed again. "This is the best news ever."
"It's amazing," Hans agreed.
They stopped off at the front desk and made their next appointment.
Darla still marvelled over the fact that they were having a son as they left.
"Your dad doesn't still want my head on a platter, does he?" Hans asked.
"He won't after this," Darla reassured him.
"Another grandchild to spoil," Hans grinned.
"He'll probably love to eat as well," Darla laughed.
"He is part Weasley," Hans laughed.
"Exactly," Darla took his hand.
Hans pulled her in for a kiss.
Darla returned it hungrily. It had been so long since they had been like this.
"I missed that," Hans said softly.
"Me too," she whispered.
"We have so much to plan for," Hans said excitedly. "The place in New York is awfully small for a baby. But, I've been looking at penthouses. You could decorate..."
"Hans..." Darla said. "I've already told you... I can't move."
"But things are different now," Hans said. "I'll talk to my agent---"
"I'm glad," Darla said. "But my family is here in England."
Hans squeezed her hand. "But, we're starting our own family."
"I know but I can't live in New York," Darla said. "Why can't they let you be based here?"
Hans groaned. "You know why, Dar. Look, let's not talk about it now. Let's go tell your folks and we'll deal with the logistics later."
She didn't feel as happy as she had before, but she nodded. "Fine."
They arrived back at her parents' house a few minutes later. Ron had made it home and he was waiting with Luna, Maddie, and Drew. Kiera was upstairs kipping.
"So?" Drew asked standing up and looking at her sister. "What did Lizzy say?"
"I'm pregnant," Darla said. "Three and a half months along."
Drew squealed and gave her sister a hug. "Congratulations!"
"Thanks," Darla hugged her back.
"That's wonderful news," Luna said giving her son-in-law a hug.
"It sure is," Ron said kissing his daughter on the cheek. "I'm happy for you, baby."
"It's a lot to get used to," Darla said, looking back at her husband.
"We're having a boy," Hans said avoiding her gaze. He knew she was still upset about New York.
"A boy!" Drew squealed. "That's wonderful!"
"Damn right it is," Ron said. "Let's even out the playing field."
Luna swatted at him. "You love your granddaughters, Ronald and you know it."
"Of course I do," Ron said. "But it'll be nice to have another bloke."
"You want enough for a Quidditch team, don't you?" Drew teased.
"That's a great idea," Ron began.
"Slow down, Daddy," Maddie said laughing. "Besides, I think Kiera, Caroline, Casey and Emma and Chloe might give those boys a run for their money."
"Especially Emma," Darla had to smile.
"We're going to have so much fun decorating the nursery," Drew said already thinking of colour schemes. "You know, I bet you can turn that guest room of yours into a great nursery. And it's right across from your bedroom."
"Actually," Hans said. "We were thinking about making our home base in New York."
"What?" Drew asked taken aback.
"That's not true," Darla said. "Hans--"
"My work is in New York," Hans argued.
"And mine is here," Darla said coolly.
"And your family is here," Drew said moving to stand beside her sister. "And your friends. You can't move halfway across the world!"
"I'm not," Darla replied.
"It's not like we'd be moving to another planet," Hans retorted. "And this isn't really something that concerns you Drew."
"Hey," Ron said angrily. "Don't you speak to my daughters that way!"
"I'm sorry," Hans said. "I just don't think Drew should be making decisions about our marriage."
Luna stood in between them. "This is supposed to be a happy occasion."
"It would be, if he hadn't brought this up again," Darla said as tears welled up in her eyes.
"I'm sorry, Darla," Hans said quietly. He put his hand on her shoulder. "We agreed to talk about this later."
Darla only shook her head.
"Have you told your parents yet?" Luna asked Hans, eager to change to a neutral subject.
"Not yet," Hans said. "We were going there next."
"Their first grandchild," Luna said smiling at him. "I'm sure that they'll be thrilled."
Hans nodded. "They've been after me since we got married."
"I know," Luna winked at him.
Hans felt more at ease with his mother in law.
"Family is very important," Luna said to him. "Never lose sight of that."
Hans nodded, accepting her wise words.
"Thanks, Mum," Darla said wiping at her eyes.
"I have to go tell Brian," Drew said. "And Chloe will be so excited."
"Let me know what she says," Darla said. "And give her a big hug and kiss from me."
"I will," Drew promised. "And I'll talk to you later."
Drew glared at Hans before she Apparated away.
"We um... we should really go tell my parents," Hans said.
"Right," Darla said quietly. She looked over at her parents and Maddie. "I'll---I'll be back later."
Maddie reached for her sister. "It'll be okay, Dar. I'll help you any possible way I can."
"You look after that special niece of mine," Darla said hugging her.
"Always," Maddie promised. "You take care of my new nephew."
Darla gave her parents a hug. "We'll probably eat dinner with Hans' parents."
"Okay," Ron said. "But if you need to come home for any reason--"
"I'll be home later tonight," Darla promised. "I know Hans has to get back to New York."
"Right," Ron glared at his son in law.
Hans looked away. It was obvious he wasn't going to win no matter what he tried. "Dar, we should get going..."
Darla nodded but didn't say a word.
"Give your parents our love," Luna told Hans.
"I will," Hans said, grateful that she was at least talking to him.
Darla silently followed her husband to the fireplace. She didn't need this stress right now, but there was no way she was going to leave her home. Her son was going to grow up with his family all around him.