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Chapter 27

Steve was alone with his niece for a long time, trying to calm down. He knew it was hypocritical to blame Charlie for the adventures he'd had before meeting him when he himself had cheated on him with Catherine, but he couldn't bear it when his lover brought it up, let alone to justify someone else's actions.

His reflections were interrupted by the arrival of his sister, who picked up her daughter and sat down next to Steve on the sofa, Joan in her lap.

"Tell me you didn't fight with Charlie over that walk.¨

¨Who says we had a fight?¨

¨The looks on both your faces and the fact that you're not with him."

The former soldier didn't answer, he didn't intend to explain himself on that.

"You know, it does me good to be courted by a man I like. I usually only get losers. Donovan has been a perfect gentleman.¨

¨He's a ladies' man, Mary.¨

¨And that's okay, I'm allowed to enjoy myself too if I feel like it. Just because I'm a wife or a mother doesn't mean I can't do whatever I want with whomever I want.¨

¨Of course, but...¨

¨No but, Steve. If I decide to flirt with someone, you don't have to say anything. If I decide to sleep with him or try to have an affair with him, you still don't have to say anything, do you understand?¨

¨And if he hurts you¨

¨Well, in that case, you'll rearrange his face."

Steve finally relaxed and stifled a laugh. Mary was right, he had to let her live, but that wouldn't stop him from having a chat with the dragon caretaker if he continued his little game.

"I love you, sis.¨

¨I love you too."

He took her in his arms and they stayed that way for a while. The former soldier didn't miss his man, who leaned against the doorframe and stared at him, but he said nothing. He was still angry at him for bringing up the subject of his exes.

"Shall we go in for dinner?" he suggested after a moment.

Marie nodded and walked out of the room with her daughter, Steve following, only to be stopped by Charlie, who put an arm around his waist as he reached a word, the wizard pulled him against Hawaiian let himself do it, his man's arms around him calming his jealousy.

"I love you," Charlie whispered.

Steve didn't reply, but kissed him and took him by the hand to lead him out. Mary smiled at them and they went home to prepare dinner. Not surprisingly, Donovan joined them for dinner, as he did every evening during Mary's week with them. He even invited her to go out with him some evenings, which she accepted, entrusting Joan to the couple.

Steve managed to clear the air with the Russian, away from Mary and Charlie, warning him not to hurt her. The Russian man had assured him that this was not his intention before picking up Mary.

The American had loved spending that week with his sister and niece, but he'd also been reassured to learn afterwards that Donovan continued to see Mary and took their budding relationship seriously.

Between these visits, Steve concentrated on his business, which was developing well. He'd had one or two customers a week during the summer, and bookings were dropping somewhat with the arrival of autumn. He had expected very little business over the winter, but was already delighted with the start. He took advantage of the winter to improve his Romanian and Russian skills, and enhance his website. With winter came Christmas, and an event he had been dreading as much as he had been looking forward to: the meeting with his entire in-laws. Indeed, he had agreed to follow Charlie to England, to the "Burrow" as he called his parents' home, and it was expected that all the children, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law and grandchildren would be there.

The closer the date got, the less serene he became, going over the family members' first names and how they related to each other in his head. Deep down, he feared they wouldn't approve him, knowing it would hurt Charlie's feelings and their relationship.

The evening of the trip to England arrived, and Steve hid his stress as much as he could. He and Charlie took an international portkey to London, then the wizard apparated them in front of his parents' house. The Burrow looked like a farmhouse that had been extended without logic, adding elements here and there, the whole thing held together only by magic. Smoke billowed from five chimneys on the roof, and the whole was decorated with numerous candles and garlands.

The building was surrounded by snow-covered grounds and a small stone took the time to kiss his man for several minutes, reassuring him a little, before pushing him towards the door.

No sooner had they knocked on the door than Molly opened it and smothered Steve in a welcome hug. She then moved on to her son, and the two men were finally able to warm up. The Muggle was immediately amazed by what he saw, whether it was the number of people in the family, the warmth or the magic used for everything. Meals were prepared alone, toys flew around the rooms, carts with toast and drinks moved alone from one person to another. The clock in the living room captivated his gaze as a hand with Charlie's picture moved over the word "house" where many needles were already amassing.

"My mom's been adding hands as weddings and births happen, we're all on it.¨

¨Except for me.¨

¨We're not married."

They were interrupted by Charlie's nieces and nephews, who had spotted him and came to greet them, followed by the was separated from his lover within minutes as they were both embroiled in separate conversations. However, the Muggle was welcomed by all, and immediately felt accepted and at home in this large family.

Everything was a cacophony until almost 1 a.m., when the children went to bed after the gifts had been distributed. Steve had received many gifts from his in-laws and was relieved that he and Charlie had also brought their share of presents. He received a book called "The Muggle's ABC of the Magical World" from Hermione and Ron, a pendant in the shape of a military plate that had been enchanted to repel low- and medium-intensity offensive spells _ Charlie later explained that this kind of object didn't exist on the market and that Harry had had to make it himself _, a book on international magical laws from Percy and Audrey, Bill and Fleur offered him French wine, Molly gave him a hand-knitted sweater and Arthur a photo album of Charlie's life. This last gift touched the Muggle very much, and he turned the pages with all the family, all eager to learn more about the second son of the family or to share their memories of him. It took them several hours to go through the whole album, and the couple, with the last ones up, went to bed around four in the morning.

The next day, they were awakened by the children's laughter, and Steve barely had time for a cup of coffee before he was drawn, all smiles, into a snowball fight. Everyone joined in except Molly, who took photos with her brand-new camera, and they spent two hours laughing together. They went home for lunch, and the house emptied as the various families left to celebrate Christmas elsewhere.

Steve sat on the sofa, his eyes lost in the flames of the fireplace. All the Weasley children had left except Charlie, and he felt a great emptiness. This year, they'd decided not to go to the States to celebrate Christmas with Mary; Steve was still afraid his mother would take it out on Charlie, and going to his aunt's house to celebrate the holidays as a family would make it too easy for her if she still had the same plan. He was more affected than he had imagined by the absence of his family, made even greater by his aunt's telephone announcement that she had cancer, and the contrast created by the love he had received from his lover's family. His lover sat down beside him, handed him a hot chocolate and drew him into his arms. They stayed that way until Arthur joined them and asked Steve about his life before the reserve.

The couple stayed at the Burrow for a week before returning home.