Authors' note: You guys are going to get Darla and Rafe in this chapter along with some Ethan, Maddie and Kiera. Next week, you get to see Harry/Hermione---she's got a little secret!
Darla and Rafe spent a few days in hospital, and Darla was happy to be bringing her son home. Hans had been staying with a friend of his in London and had visited them every day. She was surprised that he had managed this amount of time off.
"I'll get the door," Hans said, running up the steps.
"Thanks," Darla said.
Hans turned and looked over his shoulder. "Rafe, you are home..."
Darla smiled at her son who yawned and blinked.
Hans opened the door and stood back so they could enter.
Darla carried her little bundle inside. "Welcome home, love."
Hans closed the door behind them. It felt a little strange to be back here after all this time.
Darla carried her son to the nursery. It had been her and Drew's project for the last few months.
"Wow," Hans said looking around. "Darla---"
"It looks good in here, doesn't it?" Darla asked.
"It does," Hans said smiling at her. "You did all this?"
"Me and Drew," she nodded.
She and Drew had decorated the nursery with a stars and moon theme. The wall was painted a light blue with stars and moons.
"I think it's great," he nodded.
"We worked really hard on it," Darla said. She looked down at her son. "This is your room, Rafe."
Rafe let out another little yawn.
"He's really excited," Hans laughed.
Darla carefully laid him in the crib that had been a gift from her parents.
Darla and Hans stood over the crib watching him in silence.
"He's amazing," Darla said in a hushed voice.
"He is," Hans said softly.
"We should let him sleep," Darla waved her wand at a monitor.
"Right," Hans agreed. "Come on then."
"So," Darla said. "When... when do you go back?"
"I have a shoot on Thursday," Hans told her.
"The cologne ad?" she asked.
Hans nodded. "Michaela and me."
Darla didn't want to ask, but she had to. "What... what happened to Katya?"
"She's not in this one," Hans said with a shrug. "But, she's still in the ad campaign."
"Will you be working with her again?" Darla asked coolly.
"I don't know," Hans said angrily. "What about you and that healer?"
"Liam?" Darla asked. "What of him?"
"I imagine he was happy to hear we'd split up," Hans said as if the answer should have been obvious.
"He didn't think of it one way or the other," Darla said. "He was concerned with Rafe."
"That's not all he's concerned with, Dar," Hans said.
"Excuse me," Darla glared at him. "He's not sending ME nude pictures of himself..."
Hans sighed. "Darla--"
"I don't want to start this again," she said.
"Me either," Hans said. "Look, how about I make us some tea?"
"Fine," Darla sighed.
"Do you still keep it in the same place?" Hans asked.
"Yes," she answered.
"I'll be right back," Hans said offering her a tentative smile.
Darla nodded and sat back on the sofa, closing her eyes.
Having Hans back here was nice, but there was always that thought in the back of her head about seeing those pictures of Katya.
She wanted to trust her husband again but didn't know if she ever could.
He came back into the sitting room carrying a tray of tea and biscuits. "Your mum was here earlier. She'd gone by the shops for you and Rafe and she left a note." Hans handed it to her.
"That was good of her," Darla said. "I was running low on stuff."
"Your mum's been great," Hans said. "The only one of your family that has, to tell the truth."
Darla gave him a look. "Mum's more forgiving than others."
Hans sat down. "More forgiving than you?"
"Hans," Darla shook her head.
"I want nothing more than to take you and Rafe back to New York with me," Hans said.
"I'm not going to New York," Darla said. "Neither is Rafe."
"You are going to let him come to New York and visit me, right?" Hans asked. She was silent. "Darla--"
"Visit," she said softly. "Is that what our marriage has come to?"
"You were the one who suggested we split up," Hans reminded her.
"Just a separation," Darla said. "I guess I was rather hoping you'd come home."
"My job's in the States," Hans said.
"But you're an international model," Darla protested. "Surely you can... I don't know... commute?"
"I---I like it there, Darla," Hans admitted.
"More than you like living here with me." Darla finished.
"I didn't say that," Hans retorted. "Darla, I like it there and I'd like to share it with you and Rafe. You were going to go before Katya sent those pictures..."
"Because I didn't know you were sneaking around!" Darla exclaimed. "I thought it could make our marriage work!"
"I wasn't sneaking around," Hans protested. "For Merlin's sake, Darla."
"Then explain to me why Katya thought it was okay to send you nude pictures," Darla said.
Hans put his head in his hands, thinking over what he wanted to say. Finally, he looked up and met his wife's gaze. "She was a good friend to me, at first. We were spending a lot of time together and we got close. Closer than we should have."
"Obviously," Darla muttered.
"I didn't shag her, but we came awfully close," Hans said. "Quite a few times."
"Just what I wanted to hear," Darla said sarcastically.
Hans sighed. "Darla, you wanted to know the truth. I'm telling you the truth."
"It's just making me wonder if we're meant to stay together," Darla said quietly.
"You're never going to let this go, are you?" Hans asked her point-blank.
"How can I?" Darla asked. "You had romantic feelings for someone other than me!"
"I wasn't in love with her," Hans argued.
Darla rubbed at her eyes. "I don't know what to think, Hans."
"Do you still love me?" Hans asked.
"Of course I do," she said.
He reached for her hand. "I--" His words were cut off by the sound of their son's cries.
"I'll go get him," Darla said, hurrying out of the sitting room.
Hans nodded.
Darla smiled as she looked at her son. "Come here to Mummy," she said softly. "There, there..."
Rafe's cries quieted as he rested his head on Darla's shoulder.
"That's my boy," she said, carrying him out to the sitting room.
"Alright?" Hans asked.
"He's fine," Darla said. "Probably just hungry."
"He's a Weasley after all," Hans said.
"Yes he is," Darla said, nursing him just like she'd been shown.
"I'll---I'll just be in the kitchen," Hans said. "I need to check in with Freddy."
"Of course," Darla said.
Hans dialled his agent's number. "Freddy, hey."
"Hans," Freddie said. "What's going on?"
"Darla and I took Rafe home from hospital," Hans told him.
"Right," Freddie replied. "You'll still be back by Thursday, right?"
"Of course," Hans said. "What's this about the shoot being moved to the Caymans?"
"We think it'd work better down there," Freddie replied. "With the tropical setting."
"Sounds good," Hans said. "I'm looking forward to working with Michaela."
"Good," Freddie replied. "You two will look great together."
Hans was just happy he wouldn't be working with Katya. "Listen, I'm going to need some more time off after this shoot."
"More?" Freddie asked. "Hans, we have publicity after this, as well as three more shoots lined up for you."
"Well, when would I be able to have some time off?" Hans asked.
Freddie looked through a calendar. "About two months from now--"
"Two months?" Hans asked in disbelief.
"If all goes well," Freddie answered.
"I can't miss two months of my son's life," Hans argued.
"Bring them with you," Freddie answered.
"I want to," Hans said. "But, Darla's not exactly up for that."
"Well you can't have it both ways," Freddie said. "You'll have to figure it out."
Hans said a quick goodbye and collected his thoughts for a few moments. He was already in the dog house with Darla and if she heard that he wouldn't have time off for two months, she'd be so angry.
He went back into the sitting room just as Darla finished feeding Rafe. "Good timing," she said.
"Want me to take him?" Hans asked.
"Sure," Darla said.
Hans took his son. "Hiya, big guy."
Rafe cooed at him.
Hans kissed the top of his son's head. "I love you, buddy."
Darla had to smile. This was exactly how she hoped things would be once Rafe was born.
"I have to tell you something," Hans said.
"What?" Darla asked, looking up at him.
"I was chatting with Freddy," Hans began.
"Why do I have a feeling this isn't going to turn out well?" Darla asked.
"Well, it all depends," Hans said, patting Rafe's back. "It turns out Freddy's got me booked for the next few weeks."
"I guess a few weeks isn't so bad--" Darla began.
"When I say a few weeks," Hans said tentatively. "I mean---two months."
Darla gaped at him. "You're going to be gone two months? You won't be able to come home at all?"
"Well, I was thinking you might be able to come with me," Hans suggested. "I think Rafe would like New York."
Darla sighed. "Not this again."
"Darla, come on," Hans said. "It's just for a few weeks. You might like it."
"I don't know," Darla said. "It may not be such a good idea for us to travel around with Rafe right now."
"Oh," Hans said. "I hadn't thought about that."
"Obviously," Darla sighed.
Hans sighed. "Darla---all I'm saying is you could ask Lizzy or---the other one...'
"Liam," Darla said sharply. "He has a name."
"Liam," Hans said rolling his eyes.
Darla shook her head. "Who are we kidding, Hans? This isn't going to work. Not like this."
"It would work if you'd be willing to compromise," Hans said. "I don't understand. Darla, you were going to come with me before I cocked everything up."
"Do you really think things would have magically been better once I was there?" Darla asked. "Would you really have been around any more than you are here?"
"I would," Hans argued.
"Really," Darla said sarcastically.
"I love my son and I love you," Hans said. "I would do everything---"
"I love you too," Darla interrupted. "We have a child together and that will always keep us together in some way."
"Darla, what are you saying?" Hans asked.
"I don't know," she said softly.
"You want a divorce?" Hans asked her.
"I don't know," she said again. "I'm so confused."
"We can make this work," Hans argued. "I want to make this work."
"But then we BOTH need to compromise," she said. "Not just me going to New York."
Hans thought for a moment and looked at his son. "What if I came home on the weekends?" He didn't know how he would swing that with Freddy, but he'd have to try.
"Maybe while Rafe is an infant that would be best," Darla said. "And when he gets older... we can make some trips into New York."
Hans smiled. "That'd be great, Dar."
"We'll see," Darla said. "I'm not promising anything, Hans."
"It's a start," Hans said. "Right, Rafe?"
Rafe yawned as he blinked his eyes closed.
"I was thinking I'd make dinner for us tonight," Hans said. "I'm sure you're tired of the hospital food."
"I am," Darla nodded.
"Then it's settled," Hans said. "Family dinner."
Darla managed a smile. She knew it would be a long while before she could trust her husband again. But this definitely would be a start.
*** *** ***
After a long day at work, Maddie was looking forward to putting her feet up on the sofa and taking a long kip.
She had started to show, and the baby was also quite active, unlike Kiera.
"Ethan?" Maddie called out, setting her bag down. "I'm home..."
"I'm in the kitchen," Ethan called back.
Maddie walked into the kitchen and saw her husband, making dinner. Kiera was sitting in her high chair while Blue flitted about the kitchen happily.
"Something smells wonderful," she smiled at him.
"Beef stew," Ethan smiled at her. "Or you could have cereal like Kiera."
Maddie laughed. "I'll stick with the stew."
"Ma," Kiera waved her little hand.
"Hello love," Maddie went over to her daughter. "Are you being a messy eater?"
Kiera stuck her finger in her bowl and giggled.
"And you," Maddie said to her pixie. "What are you up to?"
Blue tugged affectionately at Maddie's hair.
"Buh!" Kiera giggled happily.
"He's been making her laugh all day," Ethan said. "Hasn't he, Kiera?"
Blue cackled and turned a somersault in the air.
Kiera laughed and clapped her messy hands together. "Buh!"
"Can I get you anything?" Ethan asked his wife as she sat down at the table.
"Pumpkin juice would be lovely," Maddie replied. "Thanks, Ethan."
"Sure," he said. "Just rest up."
"How was your day?" Maddie asked him.
"Pretty routine," he said. "Some paperwork this morning and I came home at lunch."
"I'm sure Kiera loved spending the afternoon with her Daddy," Maddie commented.
"We had fun," Ethan made a face at his daughter.
Kiera giggled. "Da!"
"Let's get you cleaned up," Ethan lifted her out of her chair.
"No!" Kiera giggled.
Ethan laughed. "Oh, yes."
Blue cackled and flitted around Ethan's head.
"I'll get the stew," Maddie said. "While you clean her up."
"Thanks, Maddie," Ethan said. "Come on, Messy Girl."
"Da, da, da..." Kiera babbled as Ethan carried her to the sink.
"You are wearing most of your dinner, Miss Kiera Faith Potter," Ethan said grabbing a rag.
Kiera giggled at him and clapped her hands together.
"She sure is happy today," Maddie laughed.
"She had a nice long kip earlier today," Ethan said. "Three hours."
"I'm jealous," Maddie said wistfully.
Ethan looked over at his wife. "Are you feeling okay?"
"Just knackered is all," Maddie replied.
"Feet hurting?" he asked, wiping Kiera's face off with a rag.
Maddie nodded. "Yes."
"I'll give you a massage later," Ethan promised.
Maddie grinned. "Thanks, Ethan."
"Anything you need," Ethan said. "Just let me know."
"You've done so much," Maddie said. "Dinner---"
"Anything," Ethan interrupted her. "I don't mind."
"This looks and smells delicious," Maddie said looking down at the pot of stew.
"Go ahead and help yourself," Ethan said. "I went to the bakery and got some bread too. It's in the oven."
"Mmmm," Maddie murmured happily.
Ethan grinned as Maddie helped herself to some dinner and sat back down at the table, digging in.
"Ethan, this is the best," Maddie told him after taking a bite.
"Good," Ethan said, getting himself something to eat as well after settling Kiera into her bouncy seat.
Blue levitated in front of Kiera and played 'patty-cake' with the baby girl.
"Thank goodness we have a babysitter," Ethan joked.
Maddie laughed. "He loves to play with her."
"I bet he'll love the new baby as well," Ethan said.
Maddie patted her stomach. "I bet he will, too."
"You know," Ethan said. "We should start thinking of a name for her."
"Do you have anything in mind?" Maddie asked. "I named Kiera. I think it's only fair that you name the new baby."
"I'm not sure," Ethan said. "Didn't we buy a book of names or anything?"
"There's one in the sitting room," Maddie said.
Ethan waved his wand and summoned the book. "Here we go..."
Maddie happily took a bite of her stew and watched her husband as he thumbed through the book.
"Let's see," Ethan said thoughtfully. "I'll list some names and you tell me if you like them or not."
"Okay," Maddie replied.
"Maria?" Ethan asked.
Maddie shook her head.
"Amanda," Ethan read. "Jennifer..."
"No," Kiera said before Maddie could.
Ethan laughed. "All right then... let's see."
Maddie finished her bowl of stew and stood up to get another helping.
"How about something a bit different?" Ethan flipped to another section in the book. He read off several names to which Maddie shook her head.
"You are hard to please, Madeline," Ethan said.
"None of those names sounds right," Maddie explained.
"Let's see," Ethan said turning to the chapter with names that started with the letter 'G'. "Guinevere...Gwyneth....Gilda..."
"How about that one," Maddie pointed. "Gwyn?"
"It means 'blessed ring'," Ethan read aloud.
"I think it's lovely," Maddie said.
"Gwyn Potter," Ethan said.
Kiera giggled.
"Kiera likes it," Ethan said.
"Then I think it's unanimous," Maddie answered.
Ethan reached over and tickled his daughter's side. "You do, do you?"
Kiera shrieked and laughed at her father.
Maddie patted her stomach. "Gwyn."
"I think it's perfect," Ethan set the book aside.
"Me too," Maddie said softly.
Ethan pushed his bowl away and gestured to her. "Give me those feet."
Maddie grinned and lifted her feet.
Ethan pulled her shoes off and carefully began massaging her feet.
Maddie closed her eyes. "Oh, this is fantastic."
Ethan smiled at her. "This is nothing."
"This is brilliant," Maddie said dreamily.
Ethan chuckled as Kiera looked up at her mother.
"You weren't on your feet all day, were you?" Ethan asked Maddie.
"Sort of," she said sheepishly. "I had four visions so I was trooping back and forth all day."
"Mads," Ethan said. "You know you're supposed to be taking it easy."
"I know but I had to put them in the Pensieve," Maddie told him.
"I just want you to be careful," Ethan said. "I don't want anything to happen."
"I'll be careful, Dad." she teased.
"I'm just worried about my girls," Ethan said defensively.
"We know," Maddie said, reaching for his hand.
"I just missed out on so much last time," Ethan said. "I want to do it differently this time."
"Having you here makes all the difference," Maddie assured him.
Ethan smiled.
"Our little Gwyn here is definitely more active than Kiera," Maddie rubbed her stomach.
"Kiera wasn't?" Ethan asked.
Maddie shook her head. "She was pretty quiet."
Ethan looked over at his daughter who was giggling at Blue. "She's making up for that now."
"Yes she is," Maddie smiled.
"Ma," Kiera said waving her hand. Maddie scooted over to get closer to her daughter. Kiera put her hand on Maddie's belly.
"Are you talking to your sister?" Maddie asked her daughter.
A strange look came over Kiera's face as she stared at her mother's stomach.
"What's she doing?" Ethan asked.
"Listening," Maddie said softly.
"To what?" Ethan asked quietly.
"Gwyn," Maddie replied.
"What is she saying?" Ethan asked.
"I don't know," Maddie said reaching out and touching her daughter's cheek.
"That's incredible," Ethan said, staring at their daughter. "That she can communicate this way."
"She'
"She's a special girl," Maddie said softly.
Ethan wove their fingers together. "We're lucky, Mads."
"We are," Maddie said.
"I'm lucky," Ethan continued. "A year ago I was sitting in some disgusting room with Saffron wondering if I was ever going to see you again."
"And now you're here with us," Maddie said squeezing his hand.
Ethan nodded.
"We can't get the time back that we missed, Ethan," Maddie said. "And it wasn't your fault that you missed it."
"I know," Ethan said. "And I'm not going to dwell on it."
"Good," Maddie said leaning in to give him a kiss.
Ethan kept his lips pressed to hers for a few moments
"Buh," Kiera mumbled.
Ethan and Maddie broke apart and laughed.
"Buh, huh?" Ethan asked, making a goofy face at Kiera. "Buh, Buh, Buh."
"Da!" she giggled at him.
Maddie laughed. "Daddy's silly, isn't he, Kiera?"
Kiera giggled and reached for Ethan.
"Come here," Ethan said picking her up out of her seat. "Daddy's girl."
"Da," Kiera looked up at him with her unusual eyes.
"Our little baby whisperer," Ethan joked.
Maddie laughed. "Very funny."
Ethan grinned and patted Kiera's back. "We love you, little girl."
Kiera closed her eyes and rested her head on Ethan's shoulder.
"How about we all go upstairs and lie down together?" Maddie asked.
"Sounds good to me," Ethan nodded.
Maddie waved her wand at the dirty dishes. "Sometimes, you have to love magic."
"Especially when it comes to chores," Ethan agreed.
"Funny how our parents never believed that," Maddie said thoughtfully.
"Like doing chores would make us a better person," Ethan smirked.
Maddie laughed. "You know Kiera and Gwyn will probably hear us saying that exact same thing."
"If I ever get old and stodgy then I expect you to leave me," Ethan joked.
"Never," Maddie said. "We'll just be old and stodgy together."
Ethan gave her another quick kiss.
Kiera looked up sleepily. "Buh?"
"No baby," Ethan whispered. "Blue has to go in his cage."
"Buh," Kiera said wistfully.
"Ethan," Maddie said. "I bet he'd sleep in his little cage if he can be in her room."
Ethan handed Kiera off to Maddie. "Good idea. I'll be right back."
"There we go love," Maddie said to Kiera. "Blue can stay with you all night."
Kiera beamed at her mother. "Buh."
Maddie kissed her cheek. "That's right baby."
Kiera put her arms around Maddie's neck. "Ma-ma."
Maddie smiled. "That's my smart girl."
Ethan came upstairs carrying Blue in his cage. "Here he is, Kiera."
"Buh!" Kiera exclaimed happily.
"Think she'll always be this easy to please?" Ethan asked Maddie.
"I hope so," Maddie said softly.
Ethan turned the lights on in the nursery and Maddie walked over to the dresser. She pulled out Kiera's pyjamas.
Ethan set the cage down on the nightstand next to Kiera's crib. "You keep her company tonight, Blue. But don't keep her awake."
Blue rattled the bars on his cage.
"Blue be nice," Maddie said, changing Kiera into her pink pyjamas.
Blue quieted and sat down on the floor of the cage.
"That's a good boy," Ethan said.
"My sweet girl," Maddie said picking Kiera up and hugging her.
"Ma-ma..." Kiera yawned.
"Bedtime," Maddie said kissing her cheek.
Ethan smiled and kissed her other cheek. "Night, my baby girl."
"Da," Kiera said softly.
"I love you sweetheart," Ethan grinned at her.
Maddie gingerly set Kiera down in her crib. "Sweet dreams, my little angel. Mummy loves you."
Kiera blinked up at them sleepily a few times before looking over at the pixie at her side. "Buh..." she said.
Blue started humming the little lullaby he always sang to her before she went to sleep.
Ethan and Maddie silently slipped out of the room.
Maddie wiped the tears from her eyes. "Ethan, Blue--Blue was so sweet just then."
Ethan put his arm around her. "Yes he was."
"I'm so emotional these days," Maddie said leaning against him. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay," he assured her. "Andrew told me Saffron's the same way."
"Speaking of Saffron," Maddie said. "How great is it about what she found out? Andrew's the baby's father!"
"I know," Ethan nodded. "I can't tell you how glad I am for that."
"She's been through so much," Maddie said sitting down on the edge of the bed.
"It's about time things started to go right," Ethan replied, pulling off his shirt.
"For all of us," Maddie said standing up and walking into their bathroom.
"But especially for her," Ethan replied. "She's been through more than anyone."
"I have a feeling that her tough times are over," Maddie said softly.
"You see something?" Ethan asked coming into the bathroom.
"No, it's just a feeling I have," Maddie said.
Ethan put his arms around her. "I'm sure she'd be glad to hear that from you."
Maddie rested her forehead on his. "I'll tell her tomorrow."
Ethan gave her a slow, lazy kiss.
"I love you, Ethan James," Maddie whispered.
He smiled at her. "I love you too."
Maddie guided his hand to her stomach. "She loves you, too."
"Gwyn," Ethan said. "We'll have to think of a middle name."
"Do you have any ideas?" Maddie asked.
"Not yet," Ethan said. "We'll take another look at that book tomorrow."
Maddie nodded and returned her attention to brushing her teeth and washing her face. She was completely knackered and just wanted to lie down.
Ethan turned the duvet cover down and pulled back the sheets. He was tired too.
Maddie slid into bed beside him and rested her head on his chest. "Ethan?"
"Hmm?" he asked, his hand stroking her hair.
"Will you make me waffles tomorrow?" Maddie asked. "With lots of butter and syrup?"
He laughed softly. "Sure."
"And toast with strawberry jam?" Maddie asked, closing her eyes.
"If you like," he nodded.
"It's not just me," Maddie said. "It's Gwyn and I think she has a sweet tooth."
"Well by all means," Ethan said. "You both will get whatever you want."
Maddie laughed and closed her eyes. "You're the best, Ethan."
"So are you," he said.
Maddie didn't reply and Ethan looked down to see his wife was fast asleep.
He kissed her forehead. "Night, Mads... night Gwyn."
He thought about what Maddie had said earlier about not dwelling on the time he had missed. He didn't want to do that, but it was hard not to think about it. He might not be able to change anything about that, but he could do things differently where Gwyn was concerned. He wasn't going to miss one moment of this.