Title: Baby Shower, Part II/II Rating: PG-13? Prompt: Remus and Severus are living together, and Severus has developed a potion to let him carry a child because Teddy begged so hard for a baby brother or sister. They're all quite happy until Remus' mother announces her intention to visit...and Severus learns that Remus never quite found a way to tell her that his second "wife" was a man...
After
"You have to tell her. I'm not doing that again." Severus scrubbed off the last trace of makeup. He'd already showered to remove the hair spray and junked the maternity dress, and now was back in the oversized t-shirt (plain and black) and joggers (ditto) that was what he slept in these days. "Betting how many squares of arse-wipe - "
"I'm sorry, love." Remus, properly contrite, had done all the clean up and sorted the mountain of gifts himself. "I had no idea it would be like this."
"It will only be worse after the baby's born. I am not going into St. Mungo's as 'Eileen Lupin,' or wearing that damned wig every time she visits for the rest of my life." Severus pressed a hand to his lower back, waited for the internal barrage to quiet, and waddled toward the bedroom. "This was a one-off."
"Agreed." Remus joined him. He wrapped both arms about Severus from behind, reaching under the t-shirt to caress his belly. "You were magnificent, you know. Sitting there acting as if the presents and the food were your due. Even the Weasleys were impressed."
Severus rolled his eyes. "Weasleys. I can't believe Granger married so young, let alone breeding. The brightest witch of her age - "
"Daddy? Papa? We just got an owl!" Teddy dashed in, note in hand. "It's from Grandmother!"
"Oh, goodie." Severus eased onto the bed. Remus and Teddy were intent on the note, so he took the opportunity to give an itchy place under his navel a good scratch. The stretch mark cream would be ready for use tomorrow, and he was looking forward to a little relief. "I suppose she expects the thank you notes to be done already even though the shower just ended."
"Nothing like that." Remus had turned an interesting shade of red. "She - "
"She knew you were a man, Papa," said Teddy. He hopped onto the bed and cuddled against his stepfather. "She wants to visit next week when you're yourself."
"She what?"
Remus held out a news clipping. "It seems that she read the bonding announcement in the Pink Parchment, God knows how. She knew you were male all along."
Severus shut his mouth only when Teddy giggled. "And she let me - you - "
Remus joined his family on the bed. "I think she wanted to know how far you'd go for me." He leaned over to kiss Severus lightly on the lips, one hand gently stroking their unborn child. "Said she was impressed that someone with your reputation was willing to dress up as a woman. I think she approves of you."
"Does that mean she'll come back, Daddy? I like her," said Teddy. His hair went from chartreuse to hot pink to bright yellow. "I hope Papa doesn't have to wear that wig, it's funny looking and - "
"Hush, child. It's time you went to bed." It was well past bed time, and Teddy was starting to lose control of his morphing. "Sleep well."
"Can I get a story? Please?" Teddy hopped down and trotted toward his own room only after Remus nodded. "'Night, Papa!"
"I have to go, love." Remus set the note on the bedside table. "I can't thank you enough for this. She likes you, you know."
"How wonderful." Severus shook his head. "Only for you, Lupin."
"Only for us," Remus corrected. He gave Severus' belly a final pat and stood. "I'll be back in a few minutes. We can talk then."
"I'm not interested in talking." Severus was still male enough to have erections, but the flood of pregnancy hormones had left him perpetually aroused. "I could, however, be interested in something less - verbal."
Remus gave him a brilliant smile. "I was hoping you'd say that."
"Daddy - "
"Coming, Ted!"
"Go to him, Remus." Severus slowly pulled off the t-shirt, inch by inch. He thought Remus was mad to find him attractive now, but why argue?
"I'll be back soon," said Remus. He wet his lips. "Very, very soon."