𝕋𝕠 ℍ𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝔸𝕟𝕕 𝕋𝕠 ℍ𝕠𝕝𝕕 [ʙᴏᴏᴋ 3]

࿔ Danica ࿔

"Hey, Lils!" Danica says as she walks into the quiet restaurant and over to her table.

"Hi!" She stands up and pulls Danica into a hug, pecking her on the cheek. "How was the scan?" She asks as she pulls away and sits down.

"Amazing," Danica grins. "Boy and a girl."

"Both!?" Lily says excitedly. "That's incredible!"

Danica nods and can't wipe the smile from her face. She is exhausted but this outing with Lily has been organised for weeks.

"So," Lily says in that matter of factly way. "A light lunch then dress fitting."

Danica giggles at the thought, smiling wider.

"This is crazy," Danica says as she looks at the menu. "I'm choosing my wedding dress!" She looks back at Lily who grins at her.

"Then let's eat! Hurryyy!" Lily giggles as the waiter comes to their table. The girls order a panini and a hot chocolate each before falling into the conversation again.

"I was thinking I could have a lace dress," Danica says.

"That would be gorgeous on you," Lily agrees. "The lace will highlight your bump."

Danica nods.

"I definitely want something that shows it off," she says, leaning back in her chair and laying her hand on her stomach.

"Everything is so exciting!" Lily almost jumps up and down with exhilaration. "I can't wait to get married and have babies!"

Danica laughs softly.

"You wait for the pregnancy, then you'll regret it..." Danica trails off thinking back to her sickness. "But I know it will be worth it."

Lily reaches across the table, holding her hand out. Danica removes one hand to meet Lily's.

"I'm here for you, hun," she says. "Whatever happens... with the war..." she speaks slowly, "we'll all be here for you."

"Thank you," Danica almost whispers. She feels like something inside her lifted as Lily said those words even though Regulus tells her that every day.

"I'm here," he says just to remind her.

Danica smiles at Lily and squeezes her hand as their lunch arrives. They pull apart and then tuck in.

Afterwards, they gather their coats around themselves and head back into the cold street.

"It's a lovely place," Lily says as they walk. "So cosy."

"I've always loved it here," Danica says. "This seems to be the only place that isn't full of tourists during the summer, that's why Jackson and I came here on holiday... with our dad..." she adds and doesn't look at Lily though she can feel her staring.

"What happened that summer?" She asks suddenly but quietly as if she is afraid of saying anything. "The summer you were taken..."

Danica thinks for a moment then looks up at the sky.

"I don't know," she says truthfully. "One moment Reg and I were watching the sunset, the next Dumbledore's in our home, then we're at the beach... then... bangs... darkness... I don't even know..." as she speaks, the memories come rushing back like the floodgates have been opened. "I don't understand because Dumbledore was there but he didn't protect us..."