✧COUNTING DOWN✧

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Within the mixture of everything reigning hellfire within the last few week, regarding the lawful side of the attack from Amelia Harper—That Aria had nearly collapsed when Narcissa asked her how her dress was going.

Leaving her less than a week to get back to sowing, and it was becoming extremely difficult when Rabastan would try to sneak a peek.

"Rabastan Alastar Lestrange! I will not have you ruin this surprise damnit! This is for you!" And he truly couldn't say anything against her dedication, when he's been praying—begging—to be in this very position.

So he stuck to what he was best at, being romantic.

With the help of Narcissa, he was able to manage the Lestrange manor in France to be a small getaway. With relaxing activities.

He even spoke with the elves to get the dinner menu in order.

What was another bonus, is that he would be seeing his future step-son—The idea in itself was terrifying at best, and he had an honest drink with his father when Aria had 'kicked him out' of the manor after attempting to take another peek of the dress.

While his father didn't have a stepson, he does have another daughter with a different witch. And it was the best advice he was going to acquire on such short notice.

Instead, he kept in contact with both Wyatt and Regulus. Keeping them up to date with Aria, as she was getting awful at responding to owls when all of them turned personal instead of revolving work.

That was another issue, work.

Rabastan was sure that her small tantrum was more towards the fact that she couldn't work hands-on in the labs anymore. Her healer hadn't cleared her, and by the looks of it, wouldn't for the duration of the pregnancy.

While he was glad, there was a part of him that knew Aria lived to work instead of the other way around.

As the day ticked closer, Rabastan wasn't prepared in having to leave Aria's side for the night—As per tradition for the bride and groom, and if anything, the only reason they were allowed to live with one another is because of the pregnancy.

Who was going to say a word when Rabastan needed to be beside his pregnant wife and son?

If anything, he was a mess of wonder what the first day of being a husband would be like—What would change?

The feeling was starting to become overwhelming, that he wanted it now. Not on Saturday.

Yet it was only Thursday, and both Wyatt and Regulus were well on their way on the Hogwarts Express to be able to attend for the weekend. And of course, they were thrilled.

Aria was starting to feel the eagerness upon the event—Both at the idea of marriage and to what will happen afterward, considering Avery's words were now starting to become clear.

After announcing their engagement, the Lestrange family from France had reached out as well. And this type of fallback was more protective than she could've imagined, so if this truly was the last few months of her life—Shouldn't she enjoy what time is left?

She didn't voice any concerns, not any more than the normal pregnancy symptoms as to not scare Rabastan from pushing the wedding to a later date.

Not to mention that every outing in public was becoming a headache at just how operational it is. To hide her stomach, hide her symptoms—And basically pretend to be a whole other person.

Those working for the Daily Prophet had voiced their desperation about attending the wedding, but of course, the Black family knew just how to handle these instances.

Same with the Lestranges.

Even if Aria didn't want to, it would be smart to throw them a few bones or two. Allowing them a few planned photos to make headlines, and just to ease everyone's mind that they were still in control and the celebration remained private.

There was still a rather loud commotion about who would be present for the actual ceremony. But Aria put her foot down, it was a very significant event and while they weren't getting married in Salem as she always dreamed of doing—She still wanted some aspects to be the same.

Only close family and friends would be present for the wedding, no matter how much Clarissa or Walburga questioned names for the guest list.

No, it was the Crawfords, Lestranges, Blacks, and a few good friends that already knew about the babe's existence.

Not to mention that the Britain Crawford manor was currently filled with all those visiting from America—In addition to the Halliwells, as Rabastan wasn't going to let his soon to be little wife get married without Elizabeth and Phoebe Halliwell by her side.

And it just so happened that he found that he enjoyed their company a lot more than he predicted, as Aria was off towards another nap upstairs, or getting a few final touches on her dress, he found the company of the two Horned Scerptant gals to be much more entertaining than he could've thought.

"Ah, love. There you are—I was just about to go and get the lads from the station." Aria blinked towards the scene before her, obviously Liz and Phoebe weren't prepared to have tea with Rabastan, but the smiles were in record of a good time.

And she couldn't be happier.

"I could come with—"

"Nonsense, your friends are here for the weekend. Spend time with them." She hummed as he rushed a kiss to her cheek, rubbed a firm hand over her tum, and left with a small goodbye.

And he hardly managed through the floo without hearing Liz's squeals of approval.

"He's so handsome, Ari! The pictures you showed us never did him any justice!" She continued to laugh into her next sip of tea and shook in hearing Phoebe listing all the reasons that she need to find herself her own Brit.

"You have a few years before thinking about your own wedding, sweetheart. Enjoy it while you can, I think your sister and I can attest to that." Aria dwelled, and Elizabeth hummed to that. Having already given birth earlier in the year and followed by another pregnancy, the American witch was surely growing tired in her own right.

"Thankfully the first came earlier, I'm not sure I could've handled another two weeks." Elizabeth offered, and Aria smiled as her hand took to curve around her tum. "I'll be happy whenever they decide to come." She offered, but that didn't pass either Halliwell's keen eye for detail.

"And your healer? What have they said about all this?"

"Nothing good I'm afraid. I just don't believe in taking an innocent life." Phoebe had gotten the situation from there and frowned. "But there is nothing wrong with doing so when it's a danger to your own health, Aria. Truly, I'm sure Rabastan would understand to wait for another time to try again." The thought had crossed Aria's mind, but after speaking about how she would be able to name the babe, she was too excited.

Too attached.

Too in love.

"It's a mother's love, Phoebe. It's hard to explain, and I hope you enjoy it in a decade or so."

"A decade?! Goddess, I'll be so old!" Both Elizabeth and Aria had laughed to their heart's content in hearing that twenty-six was such an ungodly age, not minding the fact that it was still considered too young to have children for some people's lives.

The laughter from others had caught their attention, and Aria was about to invite Phoebe over for the summer, as there was no better way to get a head start on a Healer career than take any interning offers one could manage.

And it just so happens that Aria has the pull.

"Mum!" Wyatt called out, and she nearly tripped over the couch in trying to get to her son as quickly as she could. The colliding of their bodies caused Rabastan to flinch, the thought that the impact would cause any pain the babe was caught by Elizabeth —Who chuckled politely at the fact that the first-time father is so over protectively sweet.

And it reminded her much of her own husband, John, though she hoped he would calm down by the time their second child comes around.

"I missed you so much, my sweet boy. How are you?" She whispered, holding his cheeks in her hands as she already caught the tears running down his cheeks. "Oh, please. No tears, I can't handle the tears right now. Come." In pulling him back for a hug, Regulus stood by Rababstan, glaring at the bloke who has caused more damage to his own family than he ever thought immediately possible.

And now he would have to start calling him brother at the fact that Aria is actually marrying the bastard.

"I take it she's doing well?" He inquired, but he wouldn't forget to ask father as well, for the things that neither Aria nor Rabastan would share.

"Besides the few nausea spells, she is. And she's ecstatic that you both could make it." He honestly replied, and Regulus hummed. Only to be blindsided by his sister's tearful embrace.

"Ari, what happened to no tears?"

"Hm? Oh, well that's the babe's fault. That's why I try to say no tears, or else I'm right there with them." Aria explained, and Rabastan followed up with the fact that he was telling her the story of his current client, and she started blubbering over the fact that the bloke was on the verge of losing his family's estate.

Wyatt was excited to see both Phoebe and Elizabeth again, but for once in Aria's life. She caught just how silent her brother truly is, and it didn't take long for her to understand why that is.

Throughout the dinner reception that held the majority of their family and a few dozen friends, Regulus' comments were small, and he joked here and there. But nothing like he would when it was just family, so that night she withheld herself from visiting her brother just down the hall of her manor and instead turned to her almost-husband. Who would be leaving in a few moments to allow the bride and groom to be separated, and even now he was grumbling to himself at the idea of leaving to head back to his parent's estate.

"You could at least look a little saddened. We haven't slept apart in weeks, Ari." She offered another smile and then rolled her eyes. "Of course I'll miss you tonight, but after tonight it's forever. So take this as your last night to enjoy it on your own. I'm a pillow hogger, remember."

"I could come back after everyone's asleep. You weren't feeling good during dinner. This whole 'groom shouldn't see the bride' is all a bunch of—"

"No. It's what's been used for goddess knows how long. If anything is wrong with me or the babe, I have a manor filled with help." He continued to mutter a few things under his breath, and so Aria took the moment to change the subject.

"Did you see anything wrong with Regulus?... He was rather quiet tonight." Rabastan stopped his packing and tried to think back, his mind was a little wavy after having so many toasts to drink to.

Rabastan hadn't the time to tell the lad about what the Dark Lord has in store for him. But he was rather worried about Aria's reaction on that account, so he shook his head.

"I don't think I managed to catch it, what do you think it is?" He asked, semi honestly, though he was nearly beating a sweat. Had Regulus told?

"I think he's rather fond of Phoebe."

"F-fond?...Fond? Oh. Well, now that you mention it, he was rather quiet."

"Yes! He's usually much more talkative. It's a shame that there won't be time until after the honeymoon to talk to him about it."

"If the lad is able, perhaps they could send owls to one another—Hopefully she's a much better writer than my almost wife beside me." He teased, coming beside her to leave a sloppy kiss on her cheek—One that she groaned about.

"Now...I want you to forget about this whole plot to play matchmaker, and don't deny it. I see your eyes battling it out. No, I need you to go and get settled into bed soon. Otherwise, you and this lil babe will be tired in the morning."

"If I end up not liking to sleep alone, could I owl you?" Aria asked, biting her lip at the temptation of just letting him stay the night instead of playing this game of separation. But his smile widened, curious about how Aria is feeling.

"Of course you can, I'll keep an ear out. But please get some rest. And you too, lil lad. Your mum and I have a big day ahead of us." Aria rolled her eyes and overlapped her hand over Rabastan's. One that was just above the center of the swelling stomach.

"I believe he knows just how big it is, the fluttering has come up again. Granted, I think he also knows he kicked started all of this." She said, a small smile playing on her lips as she leaned forward for one final kiss.

"Tomorrow, that'll mean we're wed."

"Hmm, I'm counting down until then. Rest up, and don't force yourself to eat in the morning if it's too much. And—" Rabastan had attempted to give some well-known advice, but Elizabeth was well versed in ruining a moment and thus—Nearly broke down the door.

"John's taking you elsewhere, Rabastan. And no, you will not be sneaking back in. You both have enough going on that you don't need back luck to curse you either. Hop to it, chap." Aria snorted, though Rabastan had taken the hint and kissed the top of his fiancee's head before collecting his bag and waving off.

With the house clear of any wizard—Aside from Wyatt, the witches had all banded together and given each other face masks and so forth—To act as Aria's bridal shower, though with the pregnant edition.

While the blokes over at the Lestrange manor were thriving and drinking, though there were two persons missing from either bridal and bachelor celebration.

And they were getting into a bit of mischief of their own...

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Date Posted: 02/27/2021

Time: 4:25

Words: 2486

Author's Note:

It's been a while, and I wish I can say I've been working on this story but it's at the bottom of my to-do list. Hopefully, inspiration hits soon because I do want to finish this story soon.

Until the next chapter!