InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "It's a hootananny"

marlene mckinnon (oh_marly) wrote in 99deatheaters,
@ 2011-07-20 22:05:00

WHO: Marlene McKinnon and Fabian Prewett
WHEN: Wednesday evening
WHERE: Marlene's home in London
WHY: Fabian asked if he could come see Marlene. Naturally, she said yes.

She had officially been due the day before, but Marlene was still sitting with her baby firmly within her. It wans't terribly surprising, of course, as it was difficult to pin that sort of thing down and it wasn't an exact science, but she couldn't help but have hoped. She was ready to stop being pregnant, partially because she was so tired of having her back hurting and her front hurting and her legs hurting and, well, everything hurting, but mostly because she wanted to hold her baby. The whole situation that Marlene was in was strange and stressful, but she couldn't help but think that just having the baby there and holding him or her...it would help her, she thought.

But for now, she was just doing everything she could to get the ball rolling on labor. She wasn't about to take a potion as she was too cautious for that, but she had walked around the village for hours that day, she'd made spicy soup for lunch, more walking, some bouncing about, she had even tried raspberries because a woman had suggested it when she was walking around -- nothing. The only thing she hadn't tried was sex, but she wasn't sure how she felt about that one.

And so, she had tucked in for the evening with her book of baby names and her journal. As soon as Fabian had mentioned coming over, though, she had abandoned both to quickly clean up her little home (which was a feat, given her size) and then sank back down on the sofa as she waited. One hand rested on her massive belly, the other tapped the cushion of the sofa. She was certain that she looked exhausted, because she was, but she was excited at the same time. Marlene was always exicted when Fabian could come over and just thinking about him made a smile cross her lips.

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fprewett
2011-07-21 02:51 pm UTC (link)

It was late when Fabian stepped out onto the cobblestoned street of Diagon Alley, which was very nearly deserted. Dusk had brought with it a cool breeze for which Fabian was grateful. Being cooped up and chained to an uncomfortable desk chair all day did nothing but agitate him, and now that he was finally outside and able to breathe in fresh air, he instantly felt better. His eyes swept a quick perimeter to check for any danger, and old habit. Feeling safe enough that he wasn't being watched, he turned and began the short walk to the villiage where Marlene was living. It had felt strange to ask for permission to see his wife, as though she might not want to see him. There was no decree in the world that could convince him that she wasn't his wife, after all, but as time had gone by, he couldn't help but let doubt beat down what he always thought he knew - that Marlene loved him and that their child would somehow fix this disaster they found themselves in.

Seeing her would temporarily ease these fears, but as soon as he left her on her own again, they would be there waiting to haunt him once more. Fabian knew Marlene could take care of herself and didn't even let being severely pregnant deter her from going about her life. She was the strongest woman he knew, alongside his sister. But that didn't change the simple fact that he had let her down. He couldn't be there to keep her safe anymore. And that alone was enough to wrack him with guilt.

Before he knew it, Fabian was approaching the little cottage Marlene now called home. It was small, but immensely warm and inviting. Just like Marlene. She would be expecting him, but when he tried the door, it was still locked. He smiled to himself. With a simple wave of his wand, he heard the lock click open. The house smelled slightly tangy and he vaguely wondered what the hell she had been experimenting with in the kitchen. As he passed through the cramped corridors, actually having to stoop his head in some places because the ceilings were so low, he called out to her. But before she could answer, he found her on the sofa, curled up as best she could despite her massively protruding belly. Fabian visibly relaxed. She looked tired, exhausted even, but otherwise just as beautiful as ever. "Hi, love," he said softly, crossing the room in a few strides and bending down to place a soft kiss to her forehead as one large hand came to rest on her stomach. "Keeping out of trouble?" He asked that of the both of them, a crooked smile curling on his lips as he sat down beside Marlene.

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oh_marly
2011-07-21 04:43 pm UTC (link)

"Always," Marlene replied, a slow smile forming as she finally relaxed into the sofa. She had been living in the little cottage for what felt like ages now, but she found it interesting that even though it wasn't their place, she still couldn't fully relax until he was there with her. He didn't live there, but he was her husband and not having him there just felt unnatural. But now he was there and she felt like she could breathe the heavy sigh that she had been holding in all day as she leaned against him as best she could and laid one of her own hands atop his. "How are you?"

It was such a pedestrian comment and yet Marlene couldn't help but feel odd asking it. They were pleasantries and she would have asked him the same question had it been before everything had been turned on its head, but now it felt odd. He still came and saw her and she wore her wedding ring on her hand despite the Ministry saying that now it meant nothing more than being a sparkly accessory, but there was so much going on in his life that she wasn't sure she wanted to know about -- most centering about Maggie, his pregnant and legal wife. Marlene had supported every decision that was made in an effort to keep him safe and not attracting too much unwanted negative attention, but that didn't mean she had liked the decisions. They still sat funny within her.

But that was neither here nor there at the moment. What's done had been done and Marlene did know that acting any other way would have been stupid. They needed to stay safe and she wasn't about to let something happen to Fabian. She knew that he loved her. And so, instead of bringing any of that up, she just tipped her head back to lean against the sofa and tightened her fingers around his gently.

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fprewett
2011-07-21 08:45 pm UTC (link)

Fabian's smile faltered slightly at Marlene's touch. Something that had once been so simple, so normal, now meant so many different things. There had been a time when he wouldn't have thought twice about such a gesture, but right then it made him miss her so terribly that he had to cough out the tightness in his throat and look away from her for a moment. It didn't make sense to miss her. She was right there. But knowing that there was no place for him in this house, that maybe he didn't belong there, sent an uneasy feeling through him. If he let it, his anger at the injustices he and his wife were being put through would surface. But he fought down the urge, not wanting to ruin what little time he had with Marlene in recent weeks.

"Things are getting worse at the bank. I've been seeing Imperiused goblins taking Death Eaters down into the vaults of Muggleborns who've been killed. No doubt they're cleaning them out of anything valuable. And I've just got to sit by and do nothing." Fabian was frowning deeply now, feeling Marlene's hand tighten around his. He stared down at the wedding ring on her finger as he told her about the goings on at Gringotts. "It's maddening. There's nothing I can do." Keeping his temper in check had never come easily for Fabian, and the past year had been the most trying exercise in self-restraint he'd ever been forced to practice. "Gideon says we ought to tell Moody, but he's got enough on his plate with the Order."

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oh_marly
2011-07-21 09:01 pm UTC (link)

Marlene's brow furrowed as he spoke. All of that, it should have been shocking to her. Instead, she just felt mildly irritated. It was a sign of the times. Goblins being Imperiused so that purebloods were able to steal from vaults -- that should have been unhear of. But given the lengths that these people were going to obtain their world order, Marlene and Fabian being prime examples of exactly those lengths, she should have been shocked and infurated, but instead all she felt was disgusted.

"That's terrible," she said, shaking her head and pursing her lips together. "Those people...they can't even be called people." Marlene tried to straighten up a bit on the sofa, her free hand going to press down on the side of her belly as the baby pushed against her, then she sank back down with a sigh. "Telling Moody might be a good idea, but you're right. He has so much going on." They all had so much going on, she thought. How much more were they going to be able to take?

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fprewett
2011-07-21 09:25 pm UTC (link)

With a heavy sigh, Fabian let his eyes wander around the room until his thoughts calmed down a bit. It felt like Marly in here. There were touches of her everywhere. Books, magazines, clothes, empty mugs of cold tea. Things he missed about living in the same space as her. And the smell. The smell of her was so distinct that even now, sitting right next to her, it made him homesick. Looking at her again, his features softened as he examined her face. "You look tired," he commented, reaching out with his free hand to trace his thumb in the hollows below her eyes. "I don't like you being on your own now with the baby coming so soon."

Even if Marlene was a certified Healer, Fabian was scared to death that she would go into labour and no one would be there to help her. He considered asking Molly if Marlene could stay at the Burrow, but as of late, the old house seemed filled to its breaking point. And he feared the scathing look he'd receive if he suggested she stay in the house with Maggie, if only until the baby was born. Not a good plan of action. Still, he would feel better if someone were there with her when he couldn't be.

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oh_marly
2011-07-21 10:34 pm UTC (link)

"I am tired," Marlene admitted, not bothering to hide it when she met Fabian's gaze. She understood his concern, though. She didn't like being at the cottage alone while she waited until the baby came. If she were honest with herself, she didn't like the thought of being in the cottage alone with just the baby after he or she came. While her sisters came and went throughout the day to check in on her, most nights she was by herself. But Marlene didn't want to impose on anyone. She knew that any of them would be happy to stay, but she didn't want to be a bother to anyone. Marlene had always been that way.

But maybe she could sacrifice not wanting to impose if it meant that Fabian would feel better about the situation. The last thing she wanted to do was cause him more stress -- he had so much to deal with. "Would you like me to talk to Naomi?" she asked, her head turning just a bit as she pressed her face into his hand. If anyone would be willing to stay with her, she knew that it would be her twin sister. "I'm sure she would be willing to stay for a few days."

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fprewett
2011-07-23 02:37 am UTC (link)

His eyes hungrily took in her face, checking for any more obvious signs of fatigue. Nodding in answer to her question, Fabian sighed, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. Fabian could tell that she was offering moreso for his sanity than her own safety, but he wasn't about to argue. "Thank you, love," he said with a small smile, his voice weary. There was so much going on that he wished he could tell her, but held back at the risk of upsetting her. Instead he leaned forward and placed a soft kiss to her lips, his thumb stroking her cheek lightly at the same time.

"So, about these names..." Sitting back, he made himself comfortable against the back of the sofa, angling his body so that he was facing Marlene. It was strange, names had been the very last thing on his mind until recently. Never once had he considered anything beyond the fact that there was a child, his child, growing quite rapidly in Marlene's stomach. Now that its arrival was imminent, Fabian found himself to be a little dumbfounded by it all. Excited, sure. But utterly and completely scared out of his wits at the same time. "We're sure we don't like Babbity? What about Falcon? Or Igor?" For the first time in what felt like a long time, Fabian felt himself begin to laugh.

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oh_marly
2011-07-23 02:52 am UTC (link)

Despite herself, Marlene laughed. A genuine laugh was something that she hadn't done in a very long time and it felt so good. Nothing had changed and they were still in this incredibly unfortunate situation, but she could still laugh. That was important, she thought.

"You're about to lose your naming rights," she teased, smiling at Fabian. Both of her hands went to her huge swell in front of her, a hand on each side as though she was trying to draw the name out that way. She had decided not to find out if the baby was a boy or a girl. She could have, but there was something rather exciting about the surprise. It was something to look forward to, she thought. Naturally, it didn't matter one way or the other to Marlene, but the mystery of not knowing was enough to make her smile. "I've been looking through the baby name book," she continued, nodding toward the book that was sitting on the floor just in front of where she was sitting. "There are just too many options."

Marlene shifted suddenly, stretching her back out as it felt like the baby was doing the same inside of her. "I'm sort of gravitating toward really traditional names, though. The ones I listed are just the tip of the iceburg, really."

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fprewett
2011-07-23 03:20 am UTC (link)

Why was it so hard settling on something as simple as a name? It was strange enough to think that in a few days' time, there would be a tiny human in his arms. But the name should have been the easy part. Fabian wondered if it would be like naming a pet. Maybe they had to wait and feel it out, see what fit best after the baby was born. Naming his owl when he was eleven had been pure instinct. Zeus. Ruler of the skies. Easiest decision of his life. But this? This was a whole new game. The last thing he wanted was his kid restenting him when he or she was eleven and about to head off to school, thinking him a right git for choosing an awful name that would no doubt incite nasty remarks from his schoolmates.

Much like he and Gideon had done the night before they took their first ride on the Hogwarts Express.

Over time, though, the twins had taken to their names quite readily. They took ownership of them and wore them proudly. Which was comforting in a time like this. "I don't know," he said lightly, cocking his head to the side and shooting Marlene a cheeky grin. "I think Falcon would be absolutely genius. We'd get him a toad as his pet for school. Just for the irony." Out of curiosity, Fabian reached out and picked up the book of baby names and began fanning through it, noticing all the dog eared pages and pencil marks.

"You've done quite a job," he remarked, his eyebrows raised slightly. "How the hell are we supposed to narrow these down in just a few days? Pick out of a hat?"

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oh_marly
2011-07-23 03:34 am UTC (link)

"That seems like the easiest solution, doesn't it?" Marlene asked with a chuckle. She turned on the couch, one of her legs coming up to rest on the cushion as she reclined a little, trying to get comfortable. "I've been trying to look at the meanings as well as how nice they flow. Like, Hope for a girl. I like Hope. You know, what with everything going on..." She scrunched up her nose, though, still smiling as she looked over at Fabian. "It might be a little much, though."

Leaning forward a little, she glanced down at the book and shrugged. "I still like Emily, too. Emily Prewett. Sounds sort of strong, you know? Sarah Prewett. Anna Prewett. Maybe even Molly, after your sister."

Those were just girl names, though, and Marlene knew that they had to think about if the baby was a boy as well. It still seemed weird even thinking about it. She was overdue at that moment, but it still seemed unreal. "Random question," she started suddenly, looking up at Fabian. There was a smile on her lips as she tried to let him know that this wasn't a trick question of any sort. "Are you hoping for a boy or a girl? Or do you not care?"

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fprewett
2011-07-24 01:53 am UTC (link)

Fabian fell into a thoughtful silence. The truth was that he'd imagined it both ways and he felt no greater pull toward one over the other. As long as it's healthy. He could hear his own sister's voice in his head, saying those exact words every time she had been asked that question before her children were born. Now that Fabian was in that exact situation, he knew what she meant. There was too much uncertainty in the world, too much left to chance. So long as the baby came and stayed and was healthy, he would be grateful.

Judging by the markings in the baby book, Marlene was well prepared for either outcome. But the suggestion of naming their daughter (if that's what she turned out to be) after his sister made him smile. Molly would just about float off in a fit of bliss if she found out her first niece was her namesake. "Either way, I'll be overjoyed," he answered honestly, reaching out and gently draping Marlene's legs across his lap to help her stretch out a bit more. He let his hand rest on top of her thigh lightly. "I've been surrounded by little ginger kids for the last twelve years and they're all completely bonkers," he added, laughing. "In a good way. So we're really in for it."

It felt as though he'd been waiting so long for this day to come. As he watched Marlene try to situate herself into a comfortable position, he wondered just what the coming weeks were going to bring. The world they lived in, that this baby would soon live in, was not the ideal. Fabian had always imagined it to be so much different -- easier, happier, and less uncertain. He wished he could promise his child a perfect world. But nothing was perfect. Not anymore.

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oh_marly
2011-07-24 02:12 am UTC (link)

Marlene leaned back into the sofa, one of her hands resting lightly on her stomach and the other reaching out to run slowly up Fabian's arm. She loved moments like this. Where they were just sitting together, talking and touching and just being together. They used to be almost daily before, now they were so few and far in between. Someday they would be living in the same house again, though. She was sure of it. She had to be sure of it. Otherwise, she didn't know what other hope to cling to.

"Is that why you picked me?" Marlene asked, tipping her head to the side and raising her eyebrows in teasing question. Her fingers started tracing circles over her belly, but her gaze was still on Fabian. "Just wanted to be one-hundred percent sure that you'd be able to make more ginger babies to occupy the world?"

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fprewett
2011-07-24 03:11 am UTC (link)

"Naturally," Fabian replied easily, doing nothing to hide his signature grin. "Gingers will take over the world one day, you wait. And our offspring will be second only to the Weasleys." How simple it was to forget everything that waited outside when he was here, like this, with her. Slipping into old habits and joking around were like second nature to him, and even though he feared they would lose each other after the mess they'd been thrown in, it was such an unbelievable relief to know that at the end of the day, they could still be Fabian and Marlene.

"Which is why distinctive names are necessary," he continued on, his expression shifting into mock seriousness. "The ginger legacy must be upheld." By nature, Fabian could keep up this charade for hours. But feeling for Marlene's patience, he gave in. "They'll have a legacy all their own, to be sure." After a beat, Fabian became somber. "I like Emily, though. For a girl. You're right. It sounds strong. And she'll need to be."

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oh_marly
2011-07-24 03:23 am UTC (link)

"Emily," Marlene repeated after him, her hand stilling on her belly as though asking the baby inside of it if that would be all right. There was no sudden kick or flutter of activity, but she almost thought that that might have been a sign in and of itself. Contentment. "Emily Molly?" she went on to ask, her gaze lifting to meet Fabian's as she tested out a few middle names. "Emily Anne? Emily Babbity?" She pulled a teasing smile.

She didn't know what it was, but she couldn't help but like Emily Molly. Her sisters had been at her side throughout the whole pregnancy, but she had also had her sister-in-law's support -- not that she was legally her sister-in-law anymore. It meant something special to her, to know that even though the Ministry of Magic had put a wedge there, their families were still so supportive. And Molly Weasley was the picture of support, Marlene thought.

"I really like Emily Molly," she admitted quietly, her teasing smile turning warm. "Do you think your sister would mind lending her name?"

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fprewett
2011-07-24 03:41 am UTC (link)

Emily Molly McKinnon Prewett. Something stilled inside Fabian, too, as he said the name silently to himself. By the new laws, he couldn't be sure if he could give the child his surname, but it didn't matter. Not really. McKinnon was just as strong a name as Prewett. "I think Molly will be beside herself when she hears. Lets not tell her until it happens so we can both have a laugh."

Fabian's eyes fell on Marlene's belly. His hand reached out as well and rested beside hers, waiting to feel some sort of confirmation that whoever was inside approved their decision. Slowly, he looked up at her. "I love you," he said, his eyes full of sincerity. "And you," he added to the baby, a small smile lifting on his lips. Shifting his weight to his knees, he bent down and first kissed Marlene's swollen belly. Then he moved slowly toward her, taking her face in his hands. He kissed her then, soft and slow. "Always."

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oh_marly
2011-07-24 03:58 am UTC (link)

In the over emotional state that Marlene had been in for the past several months, that was almost enough to make her start to cry. But she wasn't going to -- not today. Today was going to be tear free, she decided as her hand went to trace the familiar path from Fabian's cheek down and around to bury her fingers into the hair at the back of his neck. She kissed him back just as slowly, relishing in it as her eyes closed for just a brief moment. That was one more thing that she didn't get to do nearly as often as she would have liked. It made her feel silly for the days that she hadn't kissed him goodbye before going to work or the evenings that she would go to bed irritated with him. So many wasted moments and now she had to cling to them, memorize them.

"I love you," she murmured in return when she broke away from him, her eyes on his face as she released a sigh. "And that will never change, I swear to you." No matter what the new powers that be might attempt to make him do next, Marlene knew that she would never stop loving Fabian.

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