Love protection (book 1: to be loved)

In your eyes

Abby POV: 

2 weeks later, 22 January

Abby dragged herself home from work, exhausted by the day and plagued by a persistent migraine. She felt nauseous, her movements slow and heavy. The pain pounded in her skull, and every step seemed like a colossal effort. She rushed to her room, slipped under the covers and collapsed into bed, hoping that sleep would ease her torment.

A few hours later, she was rudely awoken by the sound of the front door opening. Samuel had just returned from work, and the sound of his voice, though familiar, seemed deafening in her state. Abby turned round, her eyes half closed, hoping that the commotion would fade away. Samuel, however, had noticed her condition and approached her with palpable concern.

— Abby ? Oh, I'd have come home earlier if I'd known? Your period?' he exclaimed, coming over to the bed.

— No. You speak loudly.

He took care of her, her migraine subsided a little, but not her nausea, unable to keep anything down. Two hours since he'd come home, she was going to have it all night, she could feel it.

— We should go to hospital. He said softly.

Abby grunted, shaking her head:

— 'There's no need, Samuel. I'll get better. I've had worse.

— That's not the point. Please, Abby. I'm worried about you. We need to check, at least to be sure.

She wanted to fight back, but the pain made her weaker. After a moment's hesitation, and seeing the distress in his eyes, she murmured in an almost inaudible voice: Okay.

She got slowly to her feet, ready to let herself be taken to St. Mongoose's despite her reluctance. Samuel helped her to her feet and together they prepared to leave the house, Samuel's concern weighing heavily in the air.

The atmosphere at St. Mongoose's was a mixture of frenzy and calm. The reception area was spacious but too brightly lit, accentuating the pallor of the tired faces of the patients and the uniformed wizards. Samuel escorted Abby through the corridors, their footsteps echoing on the floor.

Abby was led into an examination room where a nurse, her hair in a neat bun, began to take her vital signs. After taking her temperature and pressure, she announced that tests would be needed to determine the cause of her symptoms. The thought of having to undergo a pregnancy test sent a wave of nervousness through Abby, even though she had already anticipated this possibility, standard for her age. Negative, she anticipated, not wanting to think about the idea, not tonight. She concentrated on Samuel's soothing presence beside her.

— All I want is for you to get better, Samuel murmured, holding her hand gently, his fingers gripping hers with a mixture of tenderness and concern.

Abby looked at him gratefully, a tired smile on her lips.

— We shouldn't have come. There was no hurry, it could have waited for a Muggle hospital too.

Samuel shook his head, a gleam of annoyance in his eyes.

— I couldn't stay there until I was sure everything was all right. He took a deep breath.

They waited quietly, Abby gradually feeling the discomfort dissipate thanks to Samuel's reassuring presence. The treatment helped, the nausea subsiding and the pain easing.

The doctor entered the room, carrying some papers in one hand and a small smile on his lips. He spoke first to Samuel and Abby, who were standing side by side.

— The pregnancy test is positive. You're pregnant.

Abby froze, her heart beating rapidly. The world seemed to freeze around her. After all this time and all these tests, she could hardly believe what she was hearing. The words of the medicomage echoed in her head, but she couldn't quite grasp their full meaning.

Samuel, on the other hand, exploded with joy:

— By Merlin! Yes! yes!' he exclaimed, jumping up and down with happiness. His eyes shone with pure, intense emotion. He grabbed Abby's hand, squeezing it with overwhelming warmth.

Abby looked at the doctor, still in shock:

— Are you sure?

The doctor nodded, his smile widening. 'Yes, I'm sure.

Samuel leaned over to Abby, taking her hand with infinite tenderness:

— ¬It's true! I swear. He looked at her with an intensity filled with promise and love.

Emotions surged through Abby. She was stunned and delighted at the same time. Tears of happiness began to glisten in her eyes.

— It's... it's incredible,' she murmured, her voice trembling slightly.

Samuel embraced her, and they lay there, pressed against each other, lost in a whirlwind of emotions. The room seemed to fill with warmth and light, as if the news had lit up every corner of their world. Despite the initial shock, Abby felt overwhelmed by immense joy and deep gratitude.

That evening, the atmosphere at Draco and Astoria's house was warm and cheerful. Scorpius, the little boy with the curious eyes, was playing in the living room, bringing a touch of innocent joy to the evening. Abby, though tired, couldn't help smiling when she saw him. Luck seemed to be on their side at last.

Samuel, still ecstatic, took the floor to announce the news:

— We've got some great news! Abby and I are expecting a baby!

The words rang out with such joy that everyone's eyes lit up. Draco and Astoria immediately expressed their congratulations, their joy bursting into smiles and laughter. The congratulations were accompanied by hugs and beaming smiles. Samuel, still on cloud nine, recounted all the details of the visit to Mongoose with infectious enthusiasm.

Seeing Abby relax, Samuel turned to her with rapt attention.

— Can I get you anything? Some tea? Some water? Juice?

— I'm fine, thanks,' she replied, smiling at him, touched by his attention.

— I'll get you some water, you never know.

— I can do that,' she said, pulling the blanket off her lap.

Samuel stared at her, gently putting the blanket back in place:

— Stay seated, I'll take care of everything.

— It's not cold! she protested, laughing softly.

Draco and Astoria exchanged amused glances, and Draco let out a laugh.

— Is he going to be like this all the time?' she asked.

Astoria laughed again.

— Yes, she confirmed, still amused. 'The way he dragged you off to Mongoose, yes!

Abby replied, smiling:

— He's thoughtful, which is lovely, but sometimes too much!'

Astoria, calming Scorpius, added with a laugh:

— He's gone into over— attentive mode!

Abby pretended to grumble, although she didn't really mean it.

— You could have warned me, I'd have liked that!

Their laughter redoubled, and Samuel, returning with a glass of water, arrived without understanding the source of the hilarity. He handed the glass to Abby, looking slightly confused.

— For you. Why are you laughing?

— Thank you, Abby said as she took the glass, her smile reflecting her gratitude for his consistency and concern. 'I'll explain later.

Samuel nodded, still puzzled but nothing could dampen their happiness. He joined them, and the evening continued in an atmosphere of joy and complicity, celebrating together this new chapter in their lives.