Always

Chapter 27: Love Is in the Eye of the Beholder

The time for O.W.L.S. had passed, and it was now late May. Severus kept his word and he took care of Beth in her final weeks of pregnancy. Their relationship improved so much, and although he was calm and collected around her, he still had his fear and nerves beside him. Beth had seen students packing up their things and getting ready to go back to their homes for the summer. Though finals were next week so some hadn't started packing. She was supposed to be due soon but who knew what soon was or the definition of soon was. It was crazy to think that she came over to Hogwarts on a boat all dressed up and was going to start her career as a professor. Time truly flew, and it was strange to think that she was to be a mother very soon. She always wanted to be a mother and they both would be tested and rewarded from parenthood.

She woke up that morning and yawned widely. Her red hair was messy and all over her face, along with some drool. Since being pregnant, her body and mind were tired. She slept a lot more than she usually did, and Severus would cover for her in her classes sometimes. Naturally, he wouldn't teach the class. It would be on days when the students would be cooking and baking in groups and/or on their own. He would sit at her desk and do his work. He did not need or have to interact with the students and thank goodness for that. He was still old Severus in every single way. In Beth's view, she hoped his dislike for children wouldn't be the case for his son or daughter. She rubbed her eyes and groaned a bit and her groan woke up Severus. He mumbled and ran through his hair as he looked up at her and softly smiled. He leaned in and kissed her large belly slowly, making her skin tingle from how warm his lips were. She watched him do this for a few moments, and she went through his black hair with ease. "Mmm......" He deeply hummed as it tickled her belly and made her laugh. "S-Stop that! It tickles!" She said as he sat up more and chuckled. "To wake beside you is a dream coming true...." He whispered as he leaned in more and kissed her neck lightly. She moved her neck over and exhaled as he kissed her neck and hummed against her soft skin.

It was good to have this Severus again. The one that showed a soft spot only for her, and respected her. He continued to kiss her neck, traveling up to her jawline, and dragged his tongue across it. She felt her body succumb to him and she exhaled once again. The kisses just melted onto her and she was falling for him once again. She gripped his hair as he crawled over her just a bit to kiss her lips. "My sweet Elizabeth..." He whispered against her as she chuckled into the kiss. "My wonderful Severus...." She replied as they shared a loving moment in bed. She then jolted up when she felt their child kicking around. "My goodness, that startled me!" She laughed a little as he chuckled in return. He placed his colder hands onto her belly and felt the kicks against it. His face was very soft as he was just in deep thought. Any day now really she could have her water broken and be in labor. He had to be prepared just in case. "Isn't it lovely Severus?" Beth asked him as he looked into her beautiful green eyes. "Indeed." He spoke as he rubbed her bump some more and then looked at the clock that was resting on the plain walls.

"We must be going now. Do you need assistance?" He asked her as she shook her head. "I should be fine. I am grateful Minerva gifted me some maternity robes." She said as she slowly got up and cracked her back. "Ugh, my back is ruined." She mumbled as Severus looked and admired his beautiful woman who seemed to be glowing. "Remind me to give you a massage for your back." He spoke as she nodded with a smile. She watched as Severus went to go shower and she stayed behind to put her robes on. She was more of a night-shower person than a morning. She would take more baths now. Baths seemed to help with her back problems and other joints that got sore. She then went to the mirror and started doing her hair. Severus still did her hair sometimes but she wanted to do something different this time. She started to braid her hair and did two separate braids down to her hips. She hummed lightly as she sat in a chair and was in good spirits.

Severus meanwhile couldn't stop thinking about her. She was always on her mind, but more so because she was heavily pregnant and due at any moment in time. He ran a hand through his hair as he washed it with shampoo that Beth got him just a few months ago. The scent reminded him of her because of her selflessness and the care she had for him. He was thinking very far ahead and how their roles would change from a mere couple to parents. He thought about it every day. However, unlike before, he chose to remain calm and relaxed. At least right in front of Beth. No one was perfect.