✧FIRST STEPS TO FORGIVENESS✧

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It had been a week, a painful week filled with agonizing moments in the Lestrange manor. Orion made it a point to visit every other day, while Regulus took the opposite.

And on a much lighter note, it has been the seventh day that Aurora had woke up to her room filled with roses and orchids. They smelled absolutely wonderful, and not to mention that her husband would always surprise her with a new breakfast.

Courtesy of the elves making it, but she wouldn't even leave the bed until her breakfast had been done.

Or she would enjoy it out in the garden with her two little babies.

Over and over again had she begged for forgiveness from both of them, saying that nothing was their fault in terms of what is happening to her and their father.

She simply refused to talk to anyone else, it was quite easy. She'd let whomever it was who tried to fit in an apology in a single breath before she continued forward. The grey hair made it easy to keep them blindsided, and when they were finished she simply smirked and continued off with her day.

Rabastan hadn't taken the chance just yet, she knew he was building his thoughts and trying to gain more of a standing. Though it absolutely killed him to know that she spoke with Avery for a few moments. Her Ravenclaws were all safe, which was indeed a blessing as her symptoms were getting similar to her previous pregnancy.

Luckily the matron healers were at her beckon calls, though she combined her regular appointment with her concerns.

Everything was happy and healthy with little Ronan.

And the twins were indeed the picture-perfect image of almost one-year-old babes.

The healer recommended a few potions, and until the delivery comes she had a few spares to give Mrs.Lestrange. Granted it was a perfect time for Rabastan to check on the babes as he met a familiar healer in his halls.

"Ah, Mr.Lestrange...The twins are beautiful." He responded with a quick appreciation to her comment. "Was there something wrong?"
"Of course not sir, your wife and children are healthy. It was just a check-up. Heartbeat is steady and he seems to be a good size." Rabastan withheld his questions as he smiled politely and let out a breath until the woman left.

Why couldn't his wife tell him about an appointment?

"Aurora? A healer was in the hall, is everything—"
"Everything is fine. I placed in orders for a new nausea potion...And these two are perfect." He watched as she very well ignored his presence, especially when she continued pinching Romulus' cheek without giving him a glance.

"He's expected to come at the end of September, there's a chance he could come early. But she said these two came because they're twins." He soaked up her voice, having been starved on it for the past week caused him to be weak to his knees.

"And your nausea? Is this something I should be concerned about?"
"No. It's the same as last year, though I'm craving different snacks...Sort of strange." Halsey had started to clap her hands at her mum's attention, earning her a soft smile.

Rabastan stared in awe.
How long will it be until she would smile at him like that once again?

Before he was about to speak, Halsey changed her hair to her mother's Ravenclaw blue. Which she replied with the same change of her own hair color structure.

"Y-you managed to figure it out?"
"I'm not as good as this little munchkin, but solid colors yes." Since she was talking a bit he figured it would be a good moment to get some sort of an apology in.

"Love...I. Am. Sorry. There is no excuse I could give you to justify what I did, other than worry about how much of a stress load you already had." It earned him her attention, but the look in her eyes dulled.

Causing him to gulp in fear.

"Yes, but it would've been better than everything toppling on top now. It's alright, you still have strikes to use up." He watched his wife pick up both the munchkins in either arm.

But what surprised him the most is that she had leaned up for a moment and kissed his cheek.

"I don't hate you Rabastan, I don't hate anyone...But if you were in my position, what would you have done?" The question had bounced in his mind long after his wife left her study, and by the laughter outside, he didn't need to ask an Elf where she had gone.

Though the communication between husband and wife hadn't gotten much better. She was starting to feel drastically better after cutting the majority of her social life away.

But really what was helping her was Sirius, he didn't ask or pried for more details. Frankly he didn't want to hear the full story, but judging by the sudden spark of Aurora's interest in making a failed safe?

The amount of money in the funds now was drastic, as was whatever funds Sirius still had after their Uncle had passed. Though he did give some to their cousin Andy as well, it still could settle them to live comfortably for the rest of their lives.

Or have an average life.

A knock at the door prompted her to close the textbook and open another folder. "Yes?" She called out, and in walked her husband. His robe in hand and a mask.

"I'm being summoned, I don't know how long I will away for." Docking her quill did she rise up, which caused Rabastan to meet her more than halfway.

Aiding him into his robe, tying the not at the front did she withhold a grin. "Stay safe, if Regulus is there could you—"
"Of course. Are you wearing the bracelet?" It took her a moment to understand what he meant, but she lifted her sleeve to reveal the silver charm.

"Grown quite fond of it now, be safe...Wake me if you do get back late." Even if she was angry with him, she still found it in her heart to be worried on his well being.

Or worried about his safety.

"You most likely won't wake under the potion love, but I'll give it a go. Remember, if anything is wrong—"
"Call you with the bracelet, yesyes. Go! Before Avery comes up with a long list of new teases to bother you with." Her smile being directed to him was what caused his heart to skip a few beats.

Whether it was the adoring look that Rabastan was giving her, or the odd stillness of either that sparked her hair to return to a gorgeous blue...It caused him to smirk.

"Feeling nervous love?"
"No, I guess I'm feeling blue. Now get!" He left the room in a cloud of laughter, and although she had rarely sought him out for conversation...She found herself taking a step forward.

Aurora missed her husband terribly. But if she allowed this behavior to continue, she would allow him to walk all over her.

She was starting to come around the idea of accepting what has happened, it had indeed gone out of proportions. Suppose when he returns she'll tell him.

Two days hadn't been expected, but it was entirely alright. Orion told her that Regulus had yet to come back home as well, as it gave her the idea of what could be happening.

Warning the order that some, if not most of the Death Eaters had been called for more than a day...It caused the Order to wait in preparation.

Granted Aurora had very well fallen asleep on top of the covers for the third night in a row, and when Rabastan stumbled into the master bedroom he sighed.

Perhaps he would have to hire a type of 'lady in waiting' to take of his wife.

After removing the Death Eater garb and mask he came over and removed her small flats, he sighed while seeing her ankles were swollen.

He contemplated his next action before just going through and giving his wife's small little feet a settle massage. Getting kicks and quirks out her soles, and a small whimper sounded out from above.

His job very well accomplished.

"Merlin love, I'm sure nothing about this dress is comfortable." He whispered, though he knew there was no corset due to her swollen tum and breasts, but the constriction of her maternity dress acted in the same way with more of an elastic stretch.

Thought supportive, could only be restricting.

He's seen his wife bare countless of times, but only allowed himself the benefit to look at her tum. His son was in there, gods how he didn't give her enough credit.

Once the dress had been placed onto her shoulders and she was settled underneath the comforter he began to depart.

He had taken refuge to the closest guest room for the past few nights, or fallen drunk on his study's couch.

"Raba?" His entire body had stilled, his nickname had seemed long forgotten...How long has it been since she called him that?

"Just tucked you in love, go back to sleep." She hummed into the pillow, but soon her knuckles began to rub her eyes. "Will you join me tonight?"

An invitation back into bed?! Merlin have him if he denied her.

"After a quick shower, I'll join you in just a moment." This jittery feeling had returned to him, his heart had moved up to his throat as he couldn't have moved any faster. And when he had finally joined in, a hand settled onto his.

"I wanted to tell you something...I forgot..." He clung to each and every syllable, though it was too easy to spot that she was on the brink of sleep.

"You won't remember it now love, sleep...Tell me tomorrow." He remained silent and still as she snuggled closer to his arm...He didn't want to overstep her, and perhaps he would leave early morning so that she won't regret her last-minute decision for him to join.

Sleep had barely found him as he was downright set at simply listening to her breathe, back and forth. Her chest going up and down.

At the first brink of light had he left, the house entirely quiet, though his footsteps echoed throughout. No part of him was hungry just yet, instead he had claimed to want to wait for Rory to wake.
Perhaps they could eat in the Gazebo.

He managed to get quiet of bit of work done before the Elf came in and told him that his wife was in the shower. "We'll be eating in the Gazebo, I'll get my wife." Daisy could visibly see the difference in her master as he had a small smile tugged gently.

"Daisy bring Master Romulus and Mistress Halsey outside?" He hummed along, soliciting that he was indeed in a better mood.

All after a solid night beside his wife in bed. Who knew that would cure him.

Rory was indeed surprised when Rabastan came shortly after she had left the shower, in a polite request to have breakfast. "I did want to talk to you about—"
"Ah so you remember then?" His cutting grin had made her blush, and he chuckled as he saw her retreating form suddenly turned her hair a deep scarlet color.

"The babes are joining us as well."
"I think you favor feeding them Rabastan." Pressing his lips together to hide the growing fact that he was beyond soft for and about the little Munchkins.

When Rory returned out from the closet he narrowed his brows. "You fell asleep without changing for bed."
"I did?" She had indeed been caught by surprise, however she smiled when flattening the fabric around her swollen tum.

"It feels better when they're compact Rabastan, although it probably doesn't look that appealing."
"Comfort is above appealing...Though you are stunning regardless." He did recognize the pregnancy glow, perhaps it was because it was his soulmate and loved one that was carrying his child where he saw her radiating...

But when he looked to Amelia he only saw it slightly, unless her happiness triumph over it.

"Come kitten, let's have that talk." She took his offered hand and followed after him, though they did take a moment to pick up the children before adventuring to the center of the garden...It was defiantly worth the walk once she saw the table filled to the brim.

Even the babies squealed at the side of finger food.

So after either had poured their choice of morning drink and plated their food, it was Rabastan who started the conversation.

"And what was this important mention that you almost woke yourself up for?" Aurora hid behind the cloth as she smiled.

"Your daughter tried walking yesterday." The father couldn't manage to look at his wife when his little girl was already gaining strength in her legs. Even now, Halsey didn't want to be contained by crawling.

She wanted to walk. She wanted to run.

"W-walk? It isn't early?"
"Not at all, this is actually a perfect time for them to start realizing it. Romulus is a bit shy, especially when he landed on him bum the first few times...It's difficult with the two of them...I was wondering if you could help—"
"Of course." He breathed without hesitation, not only would this give him a chance close to his wife...He would witness a milestone from his babes.

"I'm going to miss carrying them."
"I'm sure they'll still want to be carried by their mum Rory..." She smiled at his attempt in giving reassurance, but deep down in her heart, she wasn't ready to give up her babies.

"Another few months and those toy brooms can be put to the test."
"Really? You'll let them fly?" She now hid a grin behind her mug, taking a sip after saying:
"How else are they going to be a chaser?"

Rabastan had given her a side-eye before shaking his head. "Reckon ones a beater."
"Romulus? No. This one? Absolutely." Either of the twins had been kickers, but the one in her tum currently threw monster punches.

"I can't imagine how that must feel, but I don't think I give you enough credit Rory...You almost di—you almost died the last time and now you're—"
"Raba I'm healthy, I wouldn't have risked anything if that weren't the case." She perked her lips and took another bite of fruit before narrowing her gaze.

"Are you plotting?"
"Of course, I'm a Slytherin. It's in my nature." Rolling her eyes had she almost forgotten how playful he is in the morning.

He watched a withheld breath finally escaped his wife, but she didn't speak until after her cup was placed back to the table. "Rabastan I forgive you...I forgive you and Reg. One of the first things you told me is that you wanted to protect me as a husband should...You hiding it wasn't out of a malicious, I get that now." He didn't dare breathe or interrupt her after she vocally admitted to accepting it.

"There are things you haven't told me, like you knowing about the contract or your connection with the youngest Selwyn...I just happen to find them out."

Well damn.

"H-how did you—"
"I know I was blind but I'm not anymore...Your father isn't the best at hiding his protective nature over Lydia." He hadn't had a moment before she reached out to his hand and wrap either of hers around the one.

"I suppose you want to know about it then?"
"Not particularly no, though I can count the fact that you never told me in fear of what I thought." Again, she hadn't been wrong.

"Father had been betrothed to my mother long before she was even born, it—It didn't register until after mum graduated from Hogwarts. Hurt her to know that he was doing all of that behind her back, those nights I stayed with my brother and Bella." So that's why he would spend time over the second Lestrange manor, it made sense.

Or why Clarissa was so inviting to have other guests, it was for herself and son to be distracted by Senior Lestrange's actions.

"There were times I wanted to tell you, especially when Mrs.Selwyn became with child but I—I didn't want you to think Ill of me." A frog had found its place in her throat as she struggled to really take in his words.

"What did I say before Raba? Our parents don't define us and we don't define our children." Speaking of children, Halsey had demanded the attention of the two tall giants that were indeed her parents.

But before she could manage to get to her two feet with the aid of her father's chair, he had leaned down to pick her up. High into the air before settling her down onto his lap.

"Father wanted a daughter...I'm not surprised at how he's acting with Lydia. I have no problems with her, she's a kind little witch but I—I can't do that to myself without feeling the hatred of the situation." Aurora smiled supportively, this was another factor that would stop her husband from finding other interests.

Not forgetting the fact he's downright smitten with all his heart.

"We can practice out here? Don't think we can tear them away from the sunlight...Besides, we have a birthday to plan for these two."
"I believe your birthday comes first, then our anniversary." She leaned back into the large chair and sighed.

"Second time in a row that I'm pregnant for the date."
"That's quite alright love, you can cash in the surprise whenever you feel." She snorted at the idea, honestly...How quickly would conniving her fourth child be?

"Now...Attacking my father?" Rabastan gulped, and he returned Halsey back down to his lap as he braced for impact. "I was returned the favor, he threw a hex in his study...It's downright terrifying that you were—"
"Possessed? Hm, I remember little to nothing." She waved her hand at the idea, but now it struck him as beyond comforting.

"When did the curse break?"
"Before the holidays that year, maybe it was because the words weren't spoken as often or it just faded...I'm not sure, nor do I want to know." His eyes grew dark as remembered kindly that it was a witch curse, that it only worked on the wives and daughters of a specific house.

Though he wondered if Immer Rein still worked on his wife now that she is a Lestrange, but Narcissa held the worry no matter what.

Almost as though she was afraid.

"But attacking my father?"
"I think his comments about you marrying Avery are punishment enough love." Now it caused for her eyes to flare up.

"Avery?" She laughed, hiding behind her hands at the thought of being forced to marry him. Break up with Rabastan to marry his best mate?

"Gods could you imagine—"
"I'd rather not."
"—That I married your best mate—"
"Aurora."
"—Instead of you?" She finished her question over his warning, and she smirked.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, I believe you're holding our daughter, if you think Avery is a threat then you need to have your eyes checked. I prefer beaters." Taking a curt sip had sanctioned his roar of a laugh, which finally caught Romulus' attention to join his mummy.

The two were attempting to say 'mum' or 'mummy' though it only came out as a solid 'm' sound. They didn't need this verbal calling when their hair spoke volumes.

"Come on lil one, let's get you walking." Rabastan's attitude sparked to new levels after he and his wife had talked. Goddess did it feel like the clouds over his head had finally parted and the light entered.

The two had a plan to give them space when they needed it, but it was a beautiful sight indeed. To see Halsey or Romulus to wobble over to his wife, who was sporting her swelling tum.

Her offering hands would gently retract as they fought for balance and endurance.

Romulus had been the first to master it, while Halsey had been far too excited that she fell down. Not that that discouraged her, and although Rabastan had wanted to help, Rory stopped him.

Confused as to why, but never the less followed her lead anyhow. Then he understood with one glance to his munchkins.

Romulus had begun to help his sister.

The firstborn had walked backwards in order for his sister to walk forwards, which allowed him and Aurora to lean back onto the gazebo's couch in pure bliss of this milestone.

"I think this deserves cupcakes." 

"Cupcakes? No pickles?" Rory had scrunched her nose up as her snacks weren't up for debate or discussion. Though Rabastan had requested chocolate and vanilla.

Aurora did indeed have a smart husband.

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Date Posted: 10-15-19

Time: 12:02

Words: 3550