𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤. ʀ. ʟᴜᴘɪɴ

forty-two

"Sweet Salazar, where did the time go?" Evangeline asked as she leaned up against Remus on the couch, glancing at the clock that was two hours until midnight. 

Two hours until a new year. 

"Brilliant question. I haven't a clue."

The two celebrated Christmas with Sirius, Harry, and Mary, and opted to stay in with one another for New Years. It was quiet, and incredibly peaceful.

Mary left two days after Christmas after bidding a very long goodbye, promising to write more. 

"I don't think I'll be able to stay up," Evangeline said, feeling her eyes droop.

"Funny, I remember me being the one who couldn't stay awake last year."

Evangeline smiled at the memory, thinking back to when their relationship was just starting out. When it was new, exciting, and fearless. 

Now, it was just as exciting and the two were happier than ever. 

"Next year we'll do something grand," Evangeline said tiredly, resting her head on his shoulder.

"I imagine next year we'll be right here, just with a plus one," Remus said as he rubbed her stomach softly, "not that I mind."

When she said nothing in response, he glanced down at her to see her fast asleep. He grinned brightly down at her, kissing the top of her head. 

Remus carried Evangeline to bed, tucking her in on her side and making sure to place a pillow under her stomach. He crawled into bed shortly after, surprised that he hadn't managed to wake her from moving her around. 

He wrapped his arms around her from behind, kissing her temple, "happy new year, my loves," he whispered before drifting off to sleep. 

During the next two weeks, the two spent their time reading any and every book they found on parenthood and giving birth. Lucy visited more often, doing more routine checkups and letting the two know that things were going smoothly. 

The two sat outside in the garden, which was covered in snow. Not that they minded, anyways. 

"Remus..."

"Hm?"

"It's sort of hitting me that... I've got to push a baby out."

He let out a snort, "that's generally how things go."

"Sweet suffering Salazar," she groaned.

"Don't worry, I'll be there through it all," he said, taking her hand.

"You better be," she grumbled while rubbing her stomach. 

Remus placed his hand overtop of hers on her stomach, "she been moving around a lot today?"

"She's been pretty quiet, guess she's finally decided to give mommy a rest. My back certainly hurts, though." she said, talking to her stomach more than Remus. 

After the two sat outside, Remus started dinner while Evangeline lounged on the couch. She heard Remus let out a small chuckle. 

"What's funny?" she hummed as she skimmed a book Molly gave her.

"Nothing," he said while chopping carrots, "just... really excited."

Evangeline woke up the next day feeling horrendous. 

Remus instantly turned into mother hen, calling her work and alerting them that she'd be staying home. 

"Remus, really, I'll be fine. You can go to work," she said, sitting up in bed. 

"I can't leave you! You're not feeling well!" he said, voice full of panic.

"Feeling like shit is quite common during pregnancy, Remus."

"I know I know, but I still want to be here to get you anything you need. Don't want you moving about today."

She sighed, throwing her head back onto the pillows while glaring up at him, "fine."

"Sleep."

"Yes mother."

"I'm not mother."

"You're certainly acting like it."

He rolled his eyes and kissed her forehead, "cottage needs cleaning regardless, was thinking about taking the day off either way."

"If you say so, dear."

"Are you sure I shouldn't call Lucy?"

Evangeline nodded, "yes, Remus. She's got the day off today, don't want to bother her."

"I doubt she'd mind."

"Haven't you got a cottage too clean?"

"Yes. And you've got some sleep to catch."

He pecked her lips one last time before leaving the bedroom, flickering off the light and keeping the door cracked. 

She sighed and turned on her side, eyes slipping shut.

Evangeline didn't know long she'd been sleeping for, but what she knew it was certainly all day when her eyes snapped open at the smell of food and a searing pain in her abdomen. 

She let out a quiet whimper as she sat up in bed, resting her head against the headboard as another pain tore through her stomach. She shakily got out of bed, steading herself on the nightstand as she stood up weakly. 

She stumbled into the bathroom, feeling dizzy as she braced herself against the bathroom sink. 

She took in deep breaths, wincing when the pain traveled further... further...

Her eyes traveled down, and she swore her heart stopped beating at the sight of blood dropping onto the tile beneath her feet. 

"R-Remus?" she called out, her voice breaking as a fresh wave of pain ripped through her body. 

He was in the bathroom in the blink of an eye, gaze falling to the ground and then back up at her. 

She looked at him, tears falling and lip wobbling.

"Remus..."

He took long strides, catching her before her knees gave out.