✧A DAMNING SENSE OF PLANNING✧

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There was no place to break up this chapter properly,
so enjoy a very long chapter!!

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The surgery had nearly been a week ago, and still, there was not a single difference between the first pregnancy test and the last. It felt as though there were so many hoops and bounds that there could never be a time to fully accept what's happened.

The worst feeling in the world was when her menstrual cycle had finally come, and Rhea had to share the news with her husband that they couldn't act on things for the next few days. Which seemed too distancing for his tastes, and he decided that they could use the time they would've spent simply in their embrace. Given that a medical wash was necessary anyway.

In the matter of the new treatment's suggestion, Rhea had yet to bring it up with Alphard. He may seem well versed in current events and didn't agree with the rest of his family on certain matters.

But that didn't stop the fact that he is from a different generation, one that is very similar to what her own parent's belief system was.

It's what nearly killed her, their lack of medical attention. And while she had voiced the option before, he hadn't pushed to try it—Even when she said it was the most effective and didn't waste much time.

So now, a week following that very appointment, she clutched the pamphlet in her hands and took the long route towards the dining room. Thankfully she had Binkt trailing just behind her, though when Rhea stopped to allow her feline companion to catch up, it allowed the small creature to nuzzle and pur at her mother's leg.

"You must know what's going on, you've been avoiding me lately, haven't you?"

Meow.

"Well, that's no good, love. I need some of your support, especially when I tell Alfie this news." She sighed, bending down to pick up her furry beloved and continuing on her way to the dining room.

And surprisingly enough, Alfie was already seated. Though his head was tilted back and his eyes were closed. "How was your day, love?"

"Hm, oh—Fine. Just bloody exhausted. I missed you this morning." A side effect from his tonics was certainly confirmed to be memory loss. So she had taken to leaving notes on his desk or telling the elves specifically—It wasn't anything concerning, just small bits of a conversation.

"I've been leaning towards doing the day shift...I thought it would be better in the long run." She claimed, smiling as she took her seat beside him. And he pulled his head and offered her the same, though his face looked readily pale and his eyes looked alarmingly sunken.

"Goodness, I hope you're not getting sick."
"I thought I was already sick." He teased, but once Rhea had pressed the back of her hand to his forehead, he hummed in delight. "Yes, but your immune system is very weak. You can still be at risk for a normal flu." He mumbled a few damnable phrases and hummed in response.

Thankfully, she was able to measure out an appropriate dosage of a pepper-up potion that wouldn't conflict with his tonics.

It was that sort of support that couldn't be paid for by a helper or live-in Healer—Something that Rhea was starting to think of as an option if things started to take a turn.

She didn't know if she could manage to care for him on his sick bed and support him. In all fairness, she would have to ask Corin for the organization the next time they return.

When the elves did start arriving with supper, Rhea had made quick work of getting her husband's plate together. As well as line up the tonics that he needed to get into his system.

Almost all required a full stomach to be able to settle correctly. Once he had taken them, the color in his cheeks would return without a doubt.

As if he had awoken up again, he looked down and smiled at the bowl of soup in front of him. "Thank you, love."
"Hm, once this settles in your stomach...This plate will be waiting for you." He grinned, and for once his hunger had gotten the best of him as he started slurping the soup.

"You know, perhaps I will have the elves make you a small early dinner. It's not fair that you're waiting for me." She cooed, coming to dab a spare cloth on the side of his face.

One he paused at and started to get his bearings together. "It smells delicious is all, no need to worry."
"Alfie, it looks like I'm starving you. And I know the very causes of these potions, so please. Enjoy the endless stomach when it comes." It wasn't a battle he could win and thus, he nodded.

So Rhea decided that perhaps if he ate a bit of soup as an early meal, he would be well and set by the time they were able to share a meal.

"I did want to share something with you..." She transferred, and Alfie had stalled his next bite to turn to look at her. "I'm sorry, is the tonics kicking in?"
"Just a bit. Though you've lost me for a moment, let me get this down before I lose my appetite. But by all means, please, keep going. How was your day?"
"Wonderful. Jackson was in high spirits after his treatments. It looks like he'll be able to attend Hogwarts—Granted, he'll have to return for treatments and he'll need to take things easy. But I'm sure Dumbledore and his professors will take all that into consideration. And I've been owling Madam Pomfry in advance. I thought it was the least I could do." It was a mouthful, but it certainly built upon the conversation and tested just how much Alfie was in tune with the conversation.

"I am happy for the lad. We're sponsoring him in Hogwarts already, aren't we?"
"Oh...We could. I did buy his textbooks, he's having a blast with them."
"Yes—I think I remember that...How often would he have to come to Saint Mungos for the treatments?" Rhea bit her lips. "Well this isn't how I wanted to approach the situation, but it would be easier for Jack to get his treatments directly at Hogwarts—It's costly. And his parents can hardly afford—"
The clatter of the spoon had cause Rhea to grab the cloth once more, though he had swiped it without a second thought.

"Rhea, pay for the damn boy's tuition. I want his damn bills by tomorrow."
"That's the issue, Alfie. I don't think his parents would take it."
"Then say they have a sponsor. The boy needs to focus on his schoolwork and making friends. Not with a Unit attached to his veins all the time. Hogwarts is an important time for any young witch or wizard." She hummed, and while it would help in the long run. She truly didn't know how Jackson's parents would respond to it.

"I'll speak with Maverick about it tomorrow."
"I'll do you one better. My friend on the board—"
"Since we're on the subject. How is your friend on the board?" She cooed, and he flinched once more. The kindest tone she pulled, and he directed his attention elsewhere.

"Well, I'm not sure—"
"Alphard, I know you moved Willow. But you have to understand, it is hard for people to accept help sometimes. I know Jackson's mother had to quit her job to be able to stay with him at the hospital. One income is difficult, and the bills have started to stack. That's as far as I know." She explained, but here Alfie was sitting—With his lovely wife beside a candle-lit dinner prepared by elves.

In one of their many dining rooms that was well and heated—Gods, how much of a bastard he felt.

Rhea wouldn't offer without asking, but even then she would bring it forward. He needed to be one to say he would, as if Rhea hadn't made millions of her own.

Not including her dowery that her father begrudgingly coughed up as being traditional and proper.

With the silence surrounding them, it pained Rhea that just at the empty chair beside her was the pamphlet she was meant to share with him.

And yet, here she was—Stalling once more.

So he waited until he had finished his second plating, and Rhea was slowly sipping the rest of her water. Cautious that this could end badly.

"...You were going to share something, weren't you?"
"Y-yes...But I thought you would want to finish eating." Her blinked before gesturing to his plate and she let out a nervous laugh. "I'm not sure if I explained all options in terms of fertility—But we've reached a wall."
"W-we did?"
"Yes. The Matron declared that anything she's prescribed needs time. However, she also understands that it isn't something we have. So she gave me this." Rhea pulled it up from it hiding spot and placed it down in front of him.

"This is creating a babe?"
"Yes. They'll take both the man's sperm and woman's egg and attempt multiple times until one settles. Once that's confirmed they'll put it back inside me."
"Good heavens, how—"
"It's very modern, I know. And I wouldn't have shared if this wasn't...Wasn't one of the final options. The process would be completed in a day at most. I would be admitted to the hospital in the morning. The process to combine would be no more than a few hours, and replaced by early evening. That way I can have the night's rest, or perhaps another day in recovery. But we will leave pregnant." It felt as though there were hundreds of thoughts running through Alfie's head, and by the look of his eyes—They were jumping all around.

"How—" Rhea smiled, awaiting the question that never came. So she reached forward to hold his hand. His gloved hands. "You will ejaculate into a cup—"
"Merlin sakes, how—Use easier words!" He hissed, and Rhea frowned. "You climax into a provided cup. I would have already been put under by heavy enchantments while my eggs are extracted." His throat continued to bob—though there wasn't a single damn thing that could stop him from choking on the words that wouldn't come out.

So instead, he took to chugging down the water in front of him.

"Alfie—"
"Why is that every damn option, you are the one at risk or in pain?"
"This procedure has gotten a widespread positive response. And not only that, muggles do it as well! Perhaps not as expatiated since we do have magic, but it's the same nonetheless." That had allowed him to breath a little easier, though it still did not calm his nerves.

"And this will...You will be pregnant?"
"Yes. Once I am removed from the surgery, I will be pregnant. Early stages of course, but pregnant." It was certainly a good outcome, though he wasn't sure how things would progress onward.

Hell, would they be prepared for something so intrusive?

"Better yet, the Matron is looking into a few castings and enchantments to protect the womb. I most likely will still have to wear a mask, and cleanse of course, but we won't have to be away from each other...And that was one of my greater fears." Alphard blinked, this sounded like the perfect idea to go ahead with.

"We can also pick between which egg and sp—Which child we want, male or female."
"We can choose the gender of our child?"
"Well, some might not take, so usually they take a few from myself and then inject it with you. They might all take for that matter. So we can discuss which is the better, or they can put two inside me."

Two children?

"W-would you consider two?" At this point, the madness didn't take into consideration how lost Alphard felt, but the questions continued to roll and Rhea picked up his curiosity—This was his livelihood after all.

"That would be good. A boy and a girl. I think that would be a strong outcome."
"Yes...I think so too." He mumbled, looking down at his gloves and scratching at the fabric, trying to wrap his head around this new possibility.

While it would be a challenge, two babes, but Rhea truly did not care at the after-effects as she once did. This was something that was simply meant to be.

"If you have any questions you can owl the Matron, she would be more than happy to answer any questions that you don't want to ask me, though she may be more blunt than I." A small smile quirked onto her lips before she looked back to her glass and sighed.

Whatever Alfie was thinking, it worried her. His lack of enthusiasm surely spoke of hesitation, and it was only a matter of time until...Until there was no time left to think.

*

Alfie was seated with his head tilted back as he continued to listen to Orion's pacing—It was well across the room by the seating area, given that his brother didn't feel the need to wear a mask at the moment.

Not with how outrageous these claims seemed to be, as Alfie shared them just as they were described to him.

This was no business meeting, this was an act of nessisary advice.

"This is...This is unthinkable, Alphard. Unimaginable. You want to create a child in a—in a lab! That's barbaric! This is everything our house stands against!"

"Had I wanted that type of reaction, I would have asked anyone else in the family, Orion. But as I mentioned before, Rhea already made a comment about it being new and how I would be appose to it because of my age and our stance. What can I do? Say no but continue forcing us to find another way?" The question was damning, Orion knew that they were desperate but what more could they do.

"Waburga took months—Many trials and errors it took. But we've gotten a son, follow by another. So something worked in her favor, it didn't take us long for Regulus. She might have cracked it." That was certainly an interest, so he would most certainly ask for that bottle that was gifted during their wedding.

Perhaps that is what worked as to opposed to what didn't.

"Will you truly go through with this?" Orion questioned, and Alphard sighed once more. His wife had been on board, and he was thankful for that, given that it was her body that was being altered and toyed with.

"It's likely...I cannot—I cannot handle to see many more of those failed tests, Orion. It is devastating enough. I promised that I would protect her from everything, and if this is all I am left to do and accomplish, why would I let tradition stop me when it's threatening her in the first place?" His question caused a momentary pause, now making Orion feel like it had not been his place to argue over such an offered solution.

"So when...When the surgery is complete, she will be pregnant?"
"Yes. That's what I've heard from—"
"Do it, Alphard. I don't trust my wife, and whatever she is plotting it will tear down this entire family all to get to Rhea—I swear, it will not end with just her." Even with Orion's support and countless promises, it did not solidify anything.

"I'll tell her tonight—You wouldn't believe how much this damned procedure costs."
"Well, I assume many couples want to start a family and can't manage it the natural way. Hell, this seems more simplistic than drinking dozens of tonics."
"Rhea is traumatized enough with those traditional methods, this will comfort her in the sense of science at the very least." Alphard claimed, but Orion couldn't understand what his brother was getting at.

"You don't recall that Clarissa poisoned Rhea with a family tonic, rather than sending her to the hospital?...Merlin, if Rabastan didn't have somewhat of a head of his shoulders to listen to her warning—Then recruiting Rolf to actually follow through, I wouldn't have a wife, Orion." How could he ever forget?

It wasn't long after that they had to call for Maverick so tend to her broken—Body.

"Is now too early to congratulate you?"
"Not when I still have to cum in a damn bottle, brother." Orion made another face, but truth be told, they had gotten a plethora of work done. Even though Orion was technically the head of the company besides a few instances, the grand scheme of things was his to control.

Even if Rhea's surprise was on the line, Alphard knew that Orion would do it justice.

With the extra member at the table this evening, Rhea was relatively quiet—A combination of working a first shift and focusing mainly on the plate before her.

"Merlin, Rhea...Look up for a moment—"
"Orion, I just worked a twelve hour shift and haven't eaten in six hours. You can shush." It stunned him, and Alphard of course just laughed as he continued to nibble on his lighter meal before switching over.

"With ease, Rhea...He was just teasing. And we spoke about you eating more when you work longer hours."
"It's not always possible, and I get nauseous so easily with the...The potions." A slight blush erupted in her cheeks, as her eyes kindly flashed towards Orion, as if she were embarrassed from him hearing so. Instead, he simply shrugged.

"Isn't that a sign of pregnancy?"
"You're correct, it would be, but I've been reminded that I'm not." Alphard knew what that meant, that the topic was off limits and he waved Orion off from resuming his questions and instead reached for Rhea's hand.

Though the static shocked her with a mere touch that she instantly threw her hand back. "Damnit, that's the third time today."
"Are you and Orion holding hands when I'm not around?"
"Goodness, what has gotten into you today?" Rhea recoiled, feeling rather deflated that her husband hadn't managed to step in to Orion's rude comment.

And she certainly gave him a chance.

"I think it's best if I eat in the other room, excuse me." She instated, wiped her lips and throwing her napkin down at the table. Rhea didn't dare bother the elves and instead took her bowl and decided to eat outside.

Finding the join in the solitude out on the steps with the gentle breeze of September night. For whatever reason, Orion's presence was getting on her nerves. It wasn't intentional, but it was clear that Alphard's intentions on leaving her with everything might have unlocked the very thing that her husband feared of.

Orion couldn't be jealous of that, but perhaps the attention her husband was piling in her direction.

Or—It this might have been the anger she felt with herself. How damning all these potions were making her feel, in addition to the disappointment that was well reminded in between her thighs.

"I'm such a fucking idiot." She croaked, and a sigh had managed just behind her. But it wasn't her husband or Orion—It had been her brother. And that had been a blessing of them all.

"Rhee, oh—What is it?"
"My husband is dying and I'm falling apart." She cried further, her dinner well abandoned now that she was isolated by her own feelings. But when Rolf had offered an arm out, she instantly caved to comfort.

Her body rocked and shivered by the over excerpt of emotion, and Rolf's heart continued to break. "You will be fine. You will be alright."

"Really? Can it get any crueler?"

"Life is cruel regardless of who we are and what we do, Rhee. You're stronger than anyone has given you credit for. You've beaten down every obstacle you've faced, haven't you?" Because she had Alphard.

But she couldn't speak anymore and decided just to enjoy her brother's company—As she hadn't seen him since they revealed the truth about Alphard's condition.

"Does father know?" She asked, once she had gotten her bearings together. "No, the public doesn't know. And they likely won't. Alphard isn't one to arrive to too many events. I believe you can sweep this under the rug if you truly want to contain it." Would that be wise?

Or would their lack of attendance given Walburga more clearance in the grand scheme of things.

"The surgeries, how are they doing for him?"
"Well. Well enough. It isn't a cure, Rolf." He simply kissed her temple and repeated what he had said before. That she was strong and could overcome it all.

Yet he said nothing positive about Alphard, that he could live for a few more years—But she was thankful in that sense. At least he hadn't tried to pull the wool over her eyes and suggest that things could get better and Alphard could recover.

Time—It was simply something she could not beat.

Even now, she wanted to be honest. "We're trying...For a babe."

"I don't think this is something to tell your brother, Rhea." He said, a bit of a stern tone linked to his warning. And she rolled her eyes.

"He believes it will help us—Me, when he passes. I just...I agreed, but now I'm wondering if it's just doing more harm than good."
"It might not be a solution, but it couldn't hurt."
"It does hurt, seeing all the failed attempts...Even now, his closest confident is Orion and I can tell he doesn't approve either." That wasn't the truth, it wasn't at all.

Upon his arrival, both Alphard and Orion had been going back and forth that the other said something cruel before dinner to cause her to be in this mood. But Rolf knew better, even with the distance in years, Rolf was still her older brother.

Rhea was not too difficult to read, and even now he understood that his sister—For all her self-worth—Needed the reminder that she was doing grand.

He had been that person, for the few marks she had told him. Perhaps that was why their disconnection had fallen through when he hadn't believed her about Dolohov.

With Rolf graduated, and Rabastan not wanting anything to do with his sister when amongst friends. Rhea had been once again, alone. And that didn't truly help when she too, finally graduated.

"What are you doing here anyway?"
"I had some news to give to your husband. Though, given his state, I carried out the promised dealings." Rhea blinked all for a moment before turning to him fully.

"You found who attacked me?"
"Yes. And he's dead. You don't have to worry about that again. Your face is well known in the circles, no harm will ever come to you again."

"Or not until I'm a rich widow..." Rolf could defend all her wants to his supposed Dark Lord, but this is exactly what Alphard had meant.

Being a Widow would leave her vulnerable to the vultures, that backing would save her. Or, leave a wide window open for another type of temptation.

How long until Regulus would be sought after by the Dark Lord?

Her brother was just a few steps away, and Rolf had more than just his foot in the door—Merlin, her mind was spinning with how damnining everything had turned. But she just nodded and smiled her thanks.

"The Dark Lord sends his regrets."
"Hm, how nice."
"He truly does, Rhee. You weren't at all on his list, it looks awful that they had attacked Orion—But you. You have more than a few ties to his supporters. Myself, the Malfoys, father." It had been a painful experience, and from switching between one death bed to watching her husband trade in it for her seat was near cause to restart entirely.

What sort of world would she be living in without Alphard Black?

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Date Posted: 10-01-23

Time: 09:10

Words: 3924