Shadow - Sequel To Light

Chapter Eighteen: Anniversary Finale

Harry left me with the twins while he finished ensuring that our remaining anniversary plans would go through. I snuggled up with my babies, just enjoying having them close to me. It's an amazing feeling just being a parent and holding your child. I was lucky enough that I had two bundles of joy to cradle to me breast. I splattered kisses over their little cheeks and tickled them gently.

"Who're Mummy's little angels?" I cooed, kissing the tip of their noses.

"Depends which 'Mummy' you're referring to." Mum smiled from the now open door. I had been so absorbed with the babies I hadn't noticed her come in. "I might have a soft spot for one or two of you." She smiled, cheekily. I grinned up at her a moment then turned my attention back to my bubbly babies. She sat down on the edge of the bed, near me, looking down at the babies with me. "Harry said you two are going to finish out your anniversary celebration. Is that right, dear?"

"Yeah. I figured it was for the best, I can't let pain throw a shadow over our first anniversary. I don't want to look back at this and remember pain, I don't think my parents would have wanted that for me. I'll celebrate my union with Harry and I'll celebrate the life my parents lived, not their death. Death is a horrible thing but it's just a transition to paradise. They're in paradise now and that's all I could have ever wanted for them, them to find peace at the end of their days even if that end came too early for what I would have wanted."

"I'm so proud of you, dear. You are such an amazing young woman and I know you're parents would be very proud of you. You are everything any parent would want their daughter to be. You are a great mother, wife, daughter, friend and witch. I will always be proud of the women you've grown to be, dear." She said softly, pushing my hair back and kissing my forehead.

Somehow, for some reason, a tightness I hadn't noticed in my chest released. Somehow everything she had just said had been everything I needed to hear. Silently, a tear slipped down my cheek, taking all the unreleased hurt I had had with it. The remainder of every negative feeling I had slid down my cheek, falling onto my shirt, and disappeared.

"Thank you, Mum." I whispered, leaning my head on her shoulder and letting her hold me the same way I used to let my mother hold me growing up. I might have lost one mother but I had Mum and that's what mattered in that moment.

"Alright, dear, enough of the heaviness. I don't want this to be a damp squid on your anniversary. Come now, get up and dressed. I'll take the munchkins downstairs with the rest of the lot." She hugged my shoulders once for a long moment then released me, picking up Lily and James just as Ron burst in the room.

"Oi, where are my little rugrats at?" He smirked, swooping them away from Mum before she could say anything.

I watched with amusement as Mum swatted him on the back of his head. They began bantering but I didn't pay much attention, getting up to get ready for my anniversary dinner. They continued their banter on the way out the door and I chuckled, locking myself in the loo to get showered. When my shower was over, I threw myself into gear and dressed quickly.

I threw on a pretty dress with a beige top, connected to a black skirt with lace textures around the waist and sleeves. The dress fit close to my body, stopping just above my knee to give me a sexy but conservative look. I slipped on some peep-toe beige heels and jewelry, including a watch that I had been gifted some time before, a ring with a beige stone and a bangle type bracelet.When I noticed the clashing colors of my purse and dress, I tapped my purse with my wand, changing it's outward appearance to match the outfit and smiling when all was done. When my dress and accessories were settled, I took a moment to apply light make-up and some lipstick, making my hair fall over my shoulders in an almost carefree manner. To finish off my outfit, I grabbed a beige trench coat with double breasted buttons and a pair of beige tinted sunglasses then I was finally ready to go. My first anniversary with Harry, I mused to myself, taking a deep breath and heading downstairs.