Nora hated mornings BEFORE morning sickness (somberjoy) wrote in itwillhaveblood, @ 2010-03-22 21:55:00 |
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Entry tags: | - 1980 march, eleanor lovegood, xenophilius lovegood |
Who: Xeno and Nora Lovegood
What: A slow return to normalcy... and then some
When: Sunday, 21 March 1980. Dinner time.
Where: Home
Rating: A for Adorable
Status: Completed! (at last!)
Three days. It had been three days, and Nora still hadn't quite recovered. Physically, the Healers at St. Mungo's had done everything they could for her. The only evidence of injury was the brace on her left ankle. A clean break, they could have healed, but the stray hex that had hit her foot had shattered the bones. The brace was intended to keep it secure to insure she didn't injure it further while it healed. But for all intents and purposes, she was fine.
Mentally and emotionally, however, she was far from fine. At times, it seemed like the attack was an eternity ago, and at others, it was like it just happened. She still couldn't comprehend how and why anyone would want to hurt them. Any time she tried to think about it, her brain shut down. She just wished the world could go away long enough for her to sort this out.
It was comforting, at least, to be back in her own home. For the first time in several days, she was back in her own kitchen and cooking her own meal. It didn't really require any presence of mind, and that was soothing. She had the cookbook open on the counter before her, and was rather mechanically mixing things in a bowl. A quick consultation with the recipe, and she turned to get something from a higher cabinet. But Nora still wasn't quite used to the brace, and her left foot smashed into the counter.
"Son of a--!" She slammed her fist onto the counter, grimacing at the pain. The tears came unbidden to her eyes. Why? Why her, why now, why couldn't she just move on past this? She just wanted everything to be back to normal. She just wanted to make dinner for herself and her husband like she used to. Why couldn't things be simple any more?
Xeno was banging away at the printing press, just so glad to be back to work when he heard a banging noise and shouting coming from Nora downstairs. He sighed heavily, and gingerly lifted himself up off the stool. The few days in the hospital after the attack healed his broken ribs, but he still felt tender. His entire midsection still gave him a twinge of pain if he moved too quickly.
So he made his way downstairs very slowly, not wanting to injure himself by moving too fast, and also, not sure what state of mind Nora would be in when he got there. The attack had taken a harsh toll on his wife. She was physically fine, well, close to fine, but he was worried about her emotional state. She seemed more jumpy than usual, and he supposed he couldn't blame her. Hell, it left him feeling jumpy too. Xeno had never been one for duels or confrontations or anything of the sort. Now he was constantly looking over his shoulder, just waiting for something. It also killed him that he hadn't been able to protect his wife in the attack; she had basically saved him.
He saw her in the kitchen, seeming frustrated with everything. He sighed heavily and watched her, feeling the same way himself. As he approached, he called to her softly, "You okay, love?"
Nora sniffled and straightened up instinctively when she heard the sigh. She knew it was only Xeno, but she was much more on guard lately than she liked. It just made her more frustrated, knowing that her body tensed up even around people she knew she could always trust. "No," she said tearfully, shaking her head, keeping her back to him. Merlin, she felt so horrible, and there was a dreadful knot in her stomach. "No, I'm not okay."
She could feel a surge of tears coming, and she gingerly pivoted, minding her broken foot, and leaned back against the counter. "I don't understand," she began, dragging her sleeve across her face to wipe her eyes. "I don't understand why they did this. I don't understand why everything falls apart so quickly. And I don't understand why this," she indicated her foot, and as if in response, a twinge of pain coursed through her leg and she grimaced. "Why this stupid foot won't just stop hurting." Tears were now streaming down her face, and while there was some relief from getting that off her chest, she felt awful for sharing her burden with Xeno.
Xeno swiftly crossed the space between them and pulled his wife into a hug. "I don't understand either. We don't bother anyone. We just write..." The last word came out rather emphatically, as he tried to understand the attack himself. He hated what it was doing to Nora, and to himself.
As he held her, his hand instinctively caressed her back. "I wish I could've done more. Maybe your foot wouldn't be so hurt..." He shook his head again, and held her closely against him. "I should've protected you, Nora." He pulled away a bit to look down at her with a smile. "But you saved my arse. You're clearly the one we all gotta watch out for," he said as he planted a kiss on her forehead.
Nora tried to contain the sobs as she melted in his embrace, her hands braced against his chest. But there was something soothing in the warmth of his arms around her. After all, they hadn't had much time together since the attack. She'd been at his side at Mungo's as much as the Healers would allow, but they hadn't really been left alone. It wasn't solving all her problems, she knew it wouldn't, but she felt comfort. More than she had in three days.
"No, don't," she shook her head. Neither of them could be expected to know how to act in that situation. It was a miracle they'd come out of it as well as they had. She'd been so certain they were going to die, and to be here now... "It's not your fault," she assured him. A slight laugh escaped her lips as he kissed her forehead. "Nora, the hero." She fingered the charmed necklace she wore, the same one she'd worn that day. The shield charm had saved her from so much injury, but not enough. She'd need to amplify it for future products. If only Xeno'd been wearing his...
Nora looked up into his eyes, resting her hand gently on his cheek. "Don't blame yourself. I'm just happy you're alive."
"Yes, Nora the hero," he said with a small chuckle. With a smile, he watched her finger her necklace and let out a groan. Shutting his eyes, he shook his head. "I should pay more attention to where I put things... If I would have been wearing mine, I could've helped more," he said, suddenly not sure where he even put the necklace she gave him. There were so many things in their house, between both of their work spaces. And Xeno wasn't the most organized person, so it could honestly be in about one hundred possible places.
"If I had only been wearing the necklace, I would have been able to protect you." He let go of her and took her hands in his. They were smaller than his, and so delicate. He brought one up to his lips and kissed it. "I almost lost you, and yet you still took care of me. What would I ever do without you?"
Nora shook her head, but she couldn't argue the point. She didn't blame him, couldn't blame him. They'd had no reason to truly need those necklaces. She wore hers out of habit. And while her primary concern was his safety, there was a part of her that wished he'd been able to protect her. "Please, don't blame..." she trailed off, looking at their hands as he held hers in his. How was it that she, so small and delicate, had fared better than him? It didn't seem right.
Her eyes met his as he kissed her hand. "I couldn't lose you," she whispered, rising up on her tiptoes to kiss him. She sighed, and a smile played at the corner of her lips as she pulled back. "And with your luck, you'd burn down the house trying to cook without me," she laughed softly. It felt good to laugh. She'd missed that. "Maybe I ought to make you another one."
"Of course I blame myself. I didn't want to be stunned like that, not right away." He sighed and squeezed her hand. "But I am glad that you were able to handle yourself." With a tiny chuckle he kissed her back, enjoying that she was laughing again. "Yeah, I probably would burn the place down," he said, suddenly reminiscing about the one time he set a toaster on fire in their kitchen. Ever since then, he'd been banned from trying to cook anything.
"You know I wouldn't last two days without you," he said with a grin. "I would barely know how to dress myself, and I'd probably starve. Or just live off of sandwiches." He chuckled again, just relishing in the sound of her laughter. "Yeah, love. Maybe you should. Or you could at least help me find the first one you made me," he said with a grin.
Nora laughed, leaning back against the counter. "I need to make some modifications to the necklaces anyway. You can have the first one!" With a glance around the kitchen, however, she was reminded of what she'd been doing. "Oh, speaking of starving," she groaned. She couldn't even remember what she'd been reaching for when she hit her foot. She rather wished she couldn't remember slamming her foot into the counter. "I should get back to dinner."
But she didn't move. She wasn't that terribly hungry, but she was nearly done with the spice rub. Still, the pause was welcome. It wouldn't hurt anything if she waited just a few more minutes before going back to cooking. She didn't want this moment, as pleasant as it had become, to end.
"Whatever you decide to do with the necklaces, I'm sure it will be brilliant," he answered, still looking lovingly at her. She really was a brilliant witch, and Xeno felt like a bumbling fool without her. Xeno's talents were with writing, theories, and puzzles. Practical magic, or practical anything, wasn't his area of expertise.
"Nora, love, the food can wait. Or we can order out. You've already done so much, so I'm sure a break would be worthwhile. Look you can go sit down, and relax a bit, and I'll owl in to that little Indian place you like," he said while placing a hand on her waist. He had every intention of ushering her into their dining room and waiting on her hand and foot (besides cooking) while they waited on the food. "Seriously love, you should rest."
Nora smiled at his compliment. That was one thing she knew she'd always be good at. She'd had a knack for charms as long as she could remember, and combining it with her love of accessories had only been a natural progression. But the attack had shown her that there were limits to those she'd already made, and she fully intended to test those limits before she sold another.
She sighed, quirking an eyebrow. She was so nearly done with dinner, but she had no desire to finish what she'd started. And Indian food sounded quite tempting... and while a part of her certainly wanted to rest, there was a part of her brain that demanded something to occupy her time, however menial. "If you insist," she relented, rising to kiss his cheek. "Get that tandoori chicken I like?"
Xeno smiled when his wife relented. At last, he felt like he could do something for her. "Brilliant!" he shouted, and took her hand to lead her over to the kitchen table. "You just put your feet up here," he said as he moved a chair over next to her, lifted her leg gently, and propped it up on the chair. "And I'll go order some tandoori for us," he said as he scampered over to the cabinet with an address on it. He scribbled some notes on a piece of parchment, got a few sickles out of his pouch, and ran out the house. Without wasting any time, he hooted for their family owl, which flew down from the top of the house in an instant. "To our favorite Indian place. I might have some scraps for you too, if you're good," he cooed to the owl. A hoot later, and the owl was off.
He returned to the kitchen after a few moments, a large grin on his face. "Right, dinner is being taken care of! Don't you just love it when I cook?" he teased as he kissed the top of her head. "At least let me make tea. I know how to do that much!"
Nora giggled, her cheeks flushing as she let him lead her, biting her lip as she watched him ever so gently maneuver her injured foot. But there was little jostling, and she relaxed into her seat. Her mind wandered easily while Xeno disappeared momentarily, contemplating what materials she'd use for the new necklaces and how she could expand the shield charm. It took her mind off the pain, and before she knew it, he was back inside.
She laughed. As much as she enjoyed cooking, there were perks to Xeno's "cooking". Mostly that she wouldn't have to clean any dishes later. "Should I have an extinguishing charm ready, just in case?" she teased. Oh, she knew he could prepare tea, most any child could manage that much. But if she was just going to sit here, she needed to find some way to have fun.
"Your vote of confidence is overwhelming," he teased. "But if it makes you feel better, than yes, you may have an extinguishing charm ready." He turned away from her, still chuckling as he busied himself with the tea. He always knew how she took her tea, and made his with extra sugar, something he never quite grew out of. As he made the tea, his mind wandered to the change in mood. He was used to simple teasing, laughter, and of course, the serious concentration and silence that signaled that the other was working. But a frightened melancholy was new to him, and he didn't like it. He hated how the attack had changed things, but was grateful that the mood had changed again between them.
With both cups poured, he returned his attention to his wife. "Tea is served, and dinner I believe will be here shortly," he said as he placed both cups on the table.
Nora's hands closed around her teacup, and she took a careful slip. It was just as she liked it, with just a squeeze of lemon. She sighed, closing her eyes as she felt its warmth spread within her. It didn't soothe all her nerves, but it calmed her some. She was more wary of letting this pleasant mood slip away. She hated being on edge and frustrated and scared but it seemed like that was becoming her default mood lately.
"This is nice," she said softly, lowering the cup but not setting it down just yet. "Much better than that rubbish they had at the hospital, at any rate," she added hurriedly. It wasn't difficult to make anything better than what they offered at St. Mungo's, but it was really all she'd had the last few days. It was a nice change. She took another, longer sip to disguise the fact that she had absolutely no idea what to say. Hopefully the food would arrive soon and save her the trouble.
Xeno watched her as she sipped her tea, and suddenly found himself in a mischievous mood. She was such a beautiful woman, and the thought of almost losing her suddenly made him want her even more. So he swiftly got up from his seat and made his way around to the back of her chair. His hands lightly touched her shoulders, then started massaging her gently.
"Um... Nora, my love... we have at least thirty minutes before the food gets here," he started as he leaned over, pushed a bit of hair off her shoulders, and pressed a kiss to her neck. With a wide grin, and a second kiss to her neck, he continued, "I have an idea how we could pass the time..."
Nora tensed for a moment when Xeno got up, but only for a moment. Damned paranoid instincts. She missed the days when they weren't a part of this war, when her biggest involvement had been merely selling her line of defensive charms accessories. But those worries vanished with the gentle touch of his hands. She relaxed into him, a slight laugh escaping her lips as he kissed her neck. Merlin, how long had it been? They really weren't the most worldly of people, and with the attack, she hadn't found herself in the mood. Merely holding his hand in the hospital had been enough to assure her that she hadn't lost him. But now...
Mindful of her foot, she turned in her chair to face him and pulled him in for a kiss. "Mm, I bet you do," she murmured as she withdrew from the embrace, a smile spreading across her face. "Just don't hurt my foot, or I'll hex you." With a mischievous twinkle in her eye, she kissed him again. She wanted to keep the melancholy at bay, and she honestly couldn't think of a better notion than this.
He smiled into her lips as she kissed him, and then pulled away as she spoke. His hands gripped the chair and he hung his head as a chuckle escaped his lips. "I wouldn't dream of hurting your foot. Besides, why would I want to hurt my hero and protector?" he quipped with a twinkle in his eye.
In a flash, bent over her and put one arm around her back and the other arm hooked under her kneer. "C'mere," he said softly, as he lifted her out of the chair, a wide grin still plastered on his face. "I promise I'll take good care of you, darling," he said as he began carrying her up the stairs.
Nora giggled as he lifted her in the air, and she draped her arms around his neck for extra security. "Nora, the hero, and her white knight," she mused, nuzzling into him. She was only marginally aware of her surroundings as he took her upstairs, and that only because, despite his assurances, she was still worried about her foot. Bloody lingering paranoia. When they reached a landing, she planted another kiss on his lips. "Someone should write that story."