Of all the things you'd die for, I thought you finally found something worth living for -- June 2003

I had not told Gabriel what was going on, though I had found out about two weeks ago now.  I was still working with the Ministry in finding my brother and other Death Eaters -- we had caught some, but Amycus still eluded us.  It was the only way to stay out of Azkaban.  At first I did think it was just stress as to why things were not acting normal.  But then I took a test... I did not go to St. Mungo's or any other place where I could be one hundred percent sure, but the tightness in my stomach was proof enough.  My life was still a mess after having been involved in everything.. I had no idea how Gabe dealt with any of this. 

I looked at myself in the mirror in our bedroom sideways to see if it was super noticeable that I was pregnant.  I bit my lip and let my loose tank drop over my stomach.  It was going to be hard to keep it covered up much longer because it was coming into the middle of summer and it was getting to be rather warm.  I heard Gabriel come into the flat that we lived in above his shoppe that he took over from his grandfather and I stepped out of the bedroom.  He was in the kitchen pulling himself out a beer and I looked down at the ring on my finger; we were not yet married, but it was proof enough of the love we shared with each other.

Taking a deep breath, I walked forwards.  "How were the new witches and wizards?" I questioned, knowing that he loved this time of year.  Students were starting to get their letters and go out to buy their supplies that were known to be needed for Hogwarts.  Besides, it was five years after the war and things were starting to get back to normal.  Though there were a lot of late bloomers because the Dark Lord destroyed so many records of any muggle-born children that would be magical.

I looked at Ally and smiled at her.  "Ah, it was rather enlightening and brilliant," I said to her honestly.  I went over to her and put my arms around her waist.  "You look like you have something on your mind."  I always got a litle worried for Alecto when she looked like this.

I loved his enthusiasm.  I could see it falter when he noticed that I was not fully into the conversation yet.  I gave him a kiss and smiled.  'Don't give me that look," I warned him, slipping out from his arms.  That was one way I hid that I was getting a small baby bump from Gabriel.  I knew he was getting worried with me pulling away from him.  I was just frightened of the idea of me being a mother; I still thought it foreign for me to be a wife.  

"We do need to talk, though," I said to him, biting my lip slightly.  I turned to face him.  "It's about the future."

I raised my eyebrows at Ally and tried to hide my worry about her state from her, though I knew it was obvious to her.  "Alright," I said to her slowly, trying not to feel bad about her pulling away.  Alecto had a hard time with this sometimes.  "What about the future?"

I took a deep breath.  "You have been so patient with me," I said to him, trying to start out slowly, "and I am so grateful for that -- I love you for that."  When I looked at Gabe and saw his concern I realized that this sounded almost like I was going to end things with him.  I chuckled slightly and tried to give him a reassuring smile.

"I'm sorry," I said quietly, "I just don't know how to say this... so here it is:  I'm pregnant."

I was a bit more worried the mroe that Ally spoke... until the very end.  I was stunned.  I stared at her.  "You're what?" I asked, disbelief in my voice.  "I can't believe it... we're really going to be parents?""

I took a deep breath and nodded at him.  "Well, you're going to be a dad," I said to Gabe.  "I'm not sure if I'll be a mum... but yeah, we'll be parents."

I took Alecto into my arms. "Ally, this is fantastic," I said to her, holding her tightly. "You will be a wonderful mother -- you were made for this." I knew that I was right. She may not believe me, but I hoped as the baby grew inside of her she would learn to see what I see in her.