Always

Chapter 23: Red Like a Phoenix

Beth thought that the night had gone by so fast, and everything was a blur. She woke up that morning early due to her back hurting so much. She rubbed her eyes and then saw Severus next to her with his shirt off and wearing his blank fitted pants. Woah, did they do anything last night that was sexual? She held her head as she saw him sleeping there and he was holding her left leg lightly. She didn't want to move since he was holding onto her and he looked so sweet and so cute. "Aww......" She mumbled to herself as she watched him for a while. She then looked at the clock next to her bed and it said 7 am. She didn't wish to go to breakfast because of the pain and just her being tired, but she shook her head. She should go.

"You need not go." Severus' deep voice said as he removed his arm around her leg and he sat up. He then looked down at his bare chest and looked at her. "We.......did not do anything, did we?" He asked. "Not that I can recall, our clothes are still on our bodies." She said as she felt her neck and saw in her mirror that there were fresh dark love marks on her. "Well, you did something to my neck." She smirked as Severus chuckled. "Now that......I remember." He said as he gently touched her face and admired it. "Ever so beautiful in the morning." He whispered into her ear, lightly kissing behind it and placing a hand on her belly. He was not accepting of the child yet, but he wanted to protect her either way. He worried for her during the birth as well, but he didn't want to think of that. "In all seriousness, you need not go to breakfast. I will bring you back something." He said as he held her back. "That is kind of you," Beth said as Severus nodded once. "I mean it." He spoke gravely as he frowned at her. He knew she was in pain and he hated it. There was nothing that he could do to take away that pain permanently until the child arrived. "Well.....I don't wish to go. I am in so much back pain, Severus." She said in a whisper as she rubbed her back and groaned weakly. "Alright, alright, just.....remain here and I will return within a few hours." He said as he gently kissed her head and moved off the bed. Since he was in his quarters, he slowly moved his wand around as he changed into his robes and Beth smiled a little. "You haven't taught me that spell yet." She joked as he looked over his shoulder with a deep smirk. "I shall. Later, when you are well." He said as he grabbed a comb and wet it in a dish. "Do you even shower in the morning anymore?" She joked again as he looked at her. "Yes, I will cleanse myself after breakfast." He said as he combed his hair and he looked in the mirror while he did it.

Beth admired him from behind and she rubbed her belly gently. She was happy to be pregnant and she was thankful that she was getting the opportunity to be a mother. That was thanks to Severus, even though he was very hesitant about it. No turning back now. She knew that once he saw the child's face he would have his mind changed. She could feel the kicks of their child and it was making her smile a little wider. Severus was sneaking glances at her and he saw how happy this unborn child was making her and he pouted a little. Was he not making her this happy? That was going to bug the bloody hell out of him until he got an answer from her. After breakfast, he would confront her about it. He finished and looked at her softly with a frown. "Please......do not move until I return. Unless you need to relieve yourself. Then I suppose you can leave the quarters." He said as she nodded. "Sounds fine to me. Thank you for doing this." She said as Severus came over and ran a hand through her messy red hair and looked over her body. "I love you......so very much Severus," Beth said as she touched his cheek and rubbed it it softened his face quite a bit. Only she could soften him, everyone else slightly or very much irritated him. Other than Minerva he supposed. He had respect for her. "I love you too Elizabeth....." He said in return as he kissed her head lightly and he then left the room. He did worry about leaving her in the room but she could take care of herself. He moved with haste as he didn't want to take too long in the Great Hall.

He walked into the Great Hall and saw the students eating already and some stared at him while others hid away. He went and sat down in his seat and Hooch smirked. "Beth decided to not come to breakfast?" She smirked as Severus felt his blood boiling a bit. "Rolanda, do not be so harsh. Beth is 6 months pregnant with their child. She must be surely tired from it all." Minerva said with a frown. "Precisely." Severus nodded as he began eating his meal. "Do have a plate ready for Beth. I will take it back with me." He added as Minerva nodded and everyone continued eating. Severus did not know what was Rolanda's problem with Beth, but she was American after all. She came from a different culture and did things in her unique way. It's why he hated her in the first place. Now, he would defend her. She was his woman and his only. He listened to other students talking about the House Cup, and that the Hufflepuffs were still in the lead. He mostly remained silent during the meal. He only really talked to Beth at the table, but because her bubbly and happy self was not at his side, it was cold and silent. He tapped his long and bony fingers on the cold table, his black eyes looking down gently. The professors all saw the old Severus sitting there, brooding as usual. He had been like this for years at Hogwarts. Minerva was starting to see how much of an impact the red-headed American had on Severus.

Severus finished his meal rather quickly as he then made a decent-sized plate for his lovely girlfriend. He then moved swiftly out of the Great Hall without much of a spoken word. He walked down the hall and slowly went into his quarters. He saw that Beth was holding her belly and softly talking to it. It was a sight that made his stern and narrowed eyes smile. He slowly approached her with her meal as she gently looked up at him. "Well, well, well." She smirked as she was all smiles. "Your meal." He said softly as he sat down next to her and gave it to her. He wore his firm face as it was mostly out of worry. He did worry for her and worried for the birth. He did not want to be a father, but he had no choice. He cursed himself for allowing his woman to be with child. He was foolish. Careless. Idiotic. He could not turn back, he could only go forward. He had to support the one he loved, for as long as he was able. His love for her would not change.

Beth started eating her meal as Severus watched over her. "So....." She said with a smile. "So...." He repeated as they had not shared any words yet. "Are you feeling alright?" She asked him as she held his hand. "Indeed, Elizebeth." He said as she shook her head. "I am not convinced. You know this." She sighed as she kissed his rough and cold hand. "So it seems. Even I can not hide my emotions from you. You see through me." He spoke deeply as she smiled at him. "You're scared, aren't you?" She asked as he looked away. "Ah.....I know you are. You know, it is okay to be afraid. I am afraid too. It may not look like it, but I am more afraid than you." She whispered as she moved her soft and small hand to his cheek. "Severus......look at me." She said slowly as he swallowed deeply and he was starting to sweat on his brow. "You are indeed afraid, but please my love, it is all natural. You will have a new role, as will I. One that is very different from the ones we have now. It should cause fear. It is the unknown. That is why we must not turn away from each other. We must stay at each other's sides, and support each other. I beg of you." She said as Severus quickly placed a finger on her lips. "Do. Not. Beg." He said firmly as he exhaled. "You need not to. I will be here for you." He said in a slow tone as he traced his finger down her beautiful and plump lips. He felt the texture of her lips and it was such a sweet touch. She was sweet to touch. "My fears are great, but I have you." He finished as she smiled a little and she held his hand. "And I have you." She echoed. He softly kissed her lips and pulled away after a few moments. He loved her, and he loved her beautiful hair. The hair he used to hate but now, it was like a beautiful and dangerous fire raging through his mind. A stunning red. He went through her hair and smelled it once again. A lovely scent, he took in, and he embraced her once more. A gorgeous red. As red as a Phoenix.