I'd die for her & she lives for me -- Fall 2000

I was quite nervous about talking to Regulus about asking for his daughter's hand in marriage. I knew he did not like me very much, but he was getting better. Lyn told me how protective he was over her, so it did not surprise me one bit. I knew I had to pay for the sins of my father -- which I thought I would escape from coming to the States, but that did not happen. I did not mind, though, having to prove myself. I knew he reluctantly liked me. I knocked at the door of his estate, nervous beyond all get out.

I walked to the door and there he stood; Jetty Pettigrew, the boy who was stealing the heart of my daughter.  I did like him, I just had to act like I did not.  For Madelyn's sake.  I stepped tot he side and beckoned Jetty inside.  I moved toward the kitchen.  "Would you like something to drink?" I questioned, having my own mug with coffee in it.  I was picked up some papers that I had been going over.  I was Professor at the local community college for Muggles.  It had been my best way to stay under the radar while I was under my alias of Reese Williams.  So I was still Professor Williams.  I taught literature -- particularly classic literature like Shakespeare, Frost, among other authors.  I also had some paperwork that I was doing my own research on some Death Eaters.  I was going to go after them and get them to pay for their crimes in one way or another.  Particularly the ones that followed Aimee to the States that have still been threatening to harm my family.

I had never walked in before to see such a mess of the dining room table. "Oh, just a soda is fine," I said, wondering why on earth he would still be drinking coffee this late in the afternoon. I thanked him when he handed me what he had in the fridge and sat down at the dining room table with him. I noticed that there was more than just schoolwork. I tried to not be looking at it; Regulus scared me a little bit. "Er... looks like you are quite busy," I noted.

I sat down and rearranged some of the papers.  Not even Aimee knew I was on the hunt for some Death Eaters.  I shrugged.  "It's my own fault... I am the one that sets the assignments," I said, chuckling slightly.  I reached over and opened the window slightly.  I grabbed my pack of cigarettes -- my nasty little habit from since I came to the States years ago -- and lit one up.  I was not too concerned on whether or not he would be bothered by it.  I did keep my smoke towards the window and whatnot.  I knew it was a nasty habit and I knew it drove Aimee nuts.  I looked at Jetty.  "I'm guessing that my workload is not the reason you came here today," I pointed out, getting to the reason he would be coming to talk to me rather than taking my daughter out or hanging out with her.

I chuckled slightly. I suppose he was right. I had wondered when he would get to the point of why I was there. I smiled at him, more out of nerves than anything else. "Well, I would like to ask your permission for your daughter's hand in marriage," I said. I was afraid that he would not agree with me wanting to marry his daughter. I was not sure what I would do if he disagreed with that fact. I obviously would try to show him how much I loved his daughter, but if he still said no...? I had no clue.

I took a drag of my cigarette and let out the smoke out of the corner of my mouth as I took that bit of information in.  Of course I would not deny my daughter any happiness, but I wished that I could keep her from boys in general.  I never liked her dating.  I looked at Jetty, kind of enjoying making him squirm.  "You'll protect her with your life if you had to?" I asked, taking a sip of my black coffee.

His silence was making me even more nervous. When he finally spoke, I nearly jumped at the sound of his voice. I nodded. "I would," I assured him. "I'm hoping that I'm able to keep us from ever being in a situation like that... but if it ever arose, I would protect her with my life if I had to." I was sure that he would believe me when I said it. At least I hoped he would.

I flicked the ashes of my cigarette into the ashtray before taking another drag off of it.  I pushed the butt in the ashes to put it out as I exhaled.  I really needed to try to quit those damn things.  I looked at Jetty.  "Well, then," I said, "looks like I've got all the answers I need.  If you're willing to lay your life down for someone you clearly love them.  My daughter is lucky to have someone like you, Jetty."  I was sure that Madelyn was happy with him; she had told me as much.

I could not believe that it had not taken more to convince him that I was good for Madelyn. "You're serious?" I asked, disbelief in my voice. Not that I was not grateful, obviously I loved the fact that I did not have to fight to be able to get permission to ask for his daughter's hand in marriage.

"No," I said seriously, shaking my head. "I'm Regulus... Sirius is back in England." I kept a straight face the entire time. I could not help but be a bit of an arse. I grinned at him as I stood up to refill my coffee mug. I needed the caffeine if I was going to grade these papers. While I was pouring my cup, my beautiful wife walked through the screen door. I smiled at her. "Someone in the other room has important news... you might want to make sure I didn't traumatize him in any way," I said, pretending like I had had an argument with him or something. I enjoyed playing people a little bit. I had to find entertainment somewhere. Besides, I was not sure if she would have believed me if I had told her that I honestly did not do anything to him.

I smiled as I blew him a kiss, " What did you do to the poor boy?" I teased as I hung my coat up. Walking into the room, I saw Jetty. I grinned, " Jetty how are you? Everything okay?" I asked him. If I had to speak with my husband I will. Knowing Reg was listeing to me ask him a hundred questions.

With my cup of joe, I stood in the doorway through which my wife just walked.  I figured that there was no reason for me not to listen to him tell her everything.  I knew the kid loved my daughter and would do anything for her, but that did not mean that I had to be entirely happy about all of this.

I knew how protective he was of Maddie, she loved him for it and yet hated him for it. I was most of the time the middle man. Which I got used too. " Do I need to have a chat with my lovely husband?" I asked Jetty who now for some reason looked terrified. " Regulus quit looking so intimidating to the young man.." I said to him as I noticed his regular front act to scare him.

"I don't know what you're speaking of, babe," I said, trying to look innocent.  I had already given him permission, but I knew he did not believe me.  he called me Sirius for crying out loud.  Okay, he asked if I was serious, but I enjoyed the play on words.

I chuckled nervously and shook my head.  "I don't think so... I think I understood him," I said, not entirely sure if he had given me permission or if he was just stating the fact that I loved his daughter and he could see that.  I was glad that Aimee had come in.  "I had come to ask for your daughter's hand in marriage," I told her, smiling.