Two Kinds of Love. Rupert was in the hospital again, this time nursing a broken arm and bruised ribs from blocking a bludger with his body. It was worth it – Puddlemere United had won, but Rup had to stay over-night whilst the rest of his team-mates were out celebrating. It was all right, though; these days he didn’t find those nights out as invigorating as before.
After Rupert had checked into the hospital and the doctors and nurses had finished their work healing him, he had been gazing at the latest photo of his daughter. The little witch was just two years old with big brown eyes and loads of dark brown hair that made the bow on her head appear tiny. In the photo she was on the couch looking away at something, then she looked at the camera and smiled, revealing her baby teeth. Rupert’s heart melted every time she made that turn to look and smile. The last time he’d visited her in California was several months ago. Jess, her mother, was doing well; she was seeing someone who was good to her and good to their child, the only requirements Rupert had for the men she dated. Much of the responsibility was left to Jess to raise their daughter, and whilst it wasn’t the ideal plan Rupert had had for beginning a family, he did his best to make up for his absence with gifts and financial support.
There was a knock on the door to his hospital room, and a blonde head peeked in. Rupert’s eyes brightened. “Kailey!”
Kailey smiled, a dimple showing on one cheek that wasn’t shadowed by her long blonde hair. “I see you’ve injured yourself again.”
“The professional leagues are much less forgiving,” replied Rupert, still smiling at her. “What are you doing here? I thought you were going to take the Portkey over next week.”
She sat by his bed and took his good hand in hers. “I was, but I wanted to see your match today so I asked my boss for a few days off. It was an important one today, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, and we won, as I’m sure you saw.”
Kailey smiled and kissed him briefly. Her long blonde hair created a temporary curtain for them till she pulled back. Kailey’s eyes noticed the picture then. “Is that Clementine?”
Rupert smiled proudly and handed it to her. “Yes, the newest photo Jess sent me. Clem’s only getting cuter, isn’t she?”
Kailey smiled, her blue eyes sparkling as she watched the little toddler turn and flash her toothy smile. “She’s adorable. She definitely has your smile. You make cute offspring.”
“When we’re married, we’ll have beautiful kids too,” replied Rupert, and Kailey looked up to meet his eyes. In that silence, Rupert felt his heart thump in his throat, its pace increasing with every second.
“We’ve never talked about that, have we?” she finally replied slowly. She looked down at their hands and smiled to herself. “I couldn’t ask you to move permanently to New York with me knowing you have to be in England for the team.”
“And I couldn’t ask you to give up your job either or leave your home. I know you love Manhattan.”
“Your family would never accept me or my family either, since I’m a muggleborn.”
“We wouldn’t be able to tell any of your Muggle friends or family that we’re magical and our children are magical, besides the ones who already know.”
After a brief silence, Kailey smiled. “But I love you. And we can make it work when the time comes. But just so you know, I’m not accepting this as a marriage proposal.”
Rupert sat up and kissed her properly, unable to hide his smile. “I didn’t expect you would.” His ribs smarted and he couldn’t hold back the groan.
“Don’t injure yourself more,” said Kailey as she pushed him back down. Her eyes were still sparkling. “You need to get better before you can propose properly.”
“Yes ma’am.” Rupert laced their fingers together. “So, since we’re alone right now…”