Nova's Universe

Chapter 7 (1995)

Nova

"So there we are," Charlie began, sprawled on the sofa with his head resting on my lap, "finally at the hole where Fang was stuck. Now, me, I wanted to be cautious, you know, use my head for a bit. But your mum here," he shot me a playful glare, "decided to channel her inner Gryffindor for a day and just jump right down there!"

"Hey! Someone had to save the day," I protested, a smile tugging at my lips.

"Right, right," Charlie chuckled, his voice warm. "So of course, I follow after her, a bit miffed, mind you, because-"

"A bit?" I arched an eyebrow, feigning offence.

"Okay, okay, a lot mad," he conceded with a sheepish grin, sticking his tongue out at me. "Mostly because I didn't want you to get hurt."

"And then?" I prompted, amusement dancing in my eyes.

He mock-whispered, "Then we started yelling for Fang, like a couple of right ninnies, completely forgetting that shouting in a creepy dungeon probably isn't the best idea."

I burst out laughing, the memory vivid in my mind. We weren't exactly known for our stealth.

"Love, stop interrupting!" Charlie playfully rolled his eyes, his eyes twinkling. "Anyway, we finally hear this whimper, and there he is, Fang, all scared and huddled in this cave guarded by this nasty red cap-"

He threw his hand up dramatically, a triumphant glint in his eyes. "And well, let's just say that red cap didn't stand a chance!"

"With a few, shall we say, embellishments, that's about the gist of it, yes."

Charlie's gaze softened as he reached up and gently placed a hand on my swollen belly.

His head resting on my lap, he ran his fingers through my hair as he recounted our red cap adventure to the baby nestled in my belly. Five and a half months pregnant, I watched him, touched by his devotion. Ever since the bump appeared, Charlie has been showering the baby with stories, gazing at it with an awe reserved only for the most beautiful things in the world. Sometimes, while I'm engrossed in a book, he'll get bored, sidle up, and start gently rubbing my belly, humming a sweet tune.

His eagerness to be a dad melts my heart. I knew he was a family man, always yearning for a family of his own, but I never expected him to embrace the role so quickly. The tenderness in his voice as he speaks to the baby is unlike anything I've ever heard from him. His embellished tales from the Sanctuary are my favourite. He paints himself as a mighty hero, the whisperer of dragons, and I could listen to him spin those yarns all day long.

Less than four months remain until we meet our little one. I can't wait for Charlie to fill their ears with his fantastical stories, with minor alterations here and there.

"Aha! I have another one!" Charlie declared, his eyes glued to my baby bump.

"Char!" I giggled.

"Shh, love," he hushed playfully. "Gotta stay focused for story time." He lumbered over and planted a soft kiss on my lips. "Alright, gather round," he said, dramatically gesturing towards my belly, "because I'm about to tell the epic tale of how your amazing mum and dad met!"

"Didn't we already cover this love story?" I teased.

Charlie shook his head vigorously. "Absolutely not. This is the director's cut, with never-before-seen scenes!"

"Ah, so there are multiple versions of it now, huh?" I tried to sound serious, barely holding back laughter at his enthusiasm.

"Indeed!" he declared, puffing out his chest. "But this version focuses on your incredible bravery, of course. See, back in our Hogwarts days, I was a bit... dragon-obsessed."