Loving in Scarlet {Book Two in the Loving Series}

Chapter Eight ~ Jasper

Chapter Eight

Jasper

          Red hair tumbled over the pillow like spilled rubies as Rose leaned against Scorp's chest, eyes closed and breathing slow. She was sleeping peacefully for the first time in a long time, and Scorp didn't want to disturb her-that is until Trish poked her head into the room, smiling broadly.

"Mr. Malfoy, would you like to see your son?"

The word son made Scorp's heart lift, and he nodded. Shaking Rose gently, Scorp smiled as she stirred "Hey Red, wake up."

Eyes opening, Rose sat up when she saw Trish in the doorway "Where is he?" she asked, expression frantic as she began to tremble.

"He's right here Mrs. Malfoy, don't you worry." Trish smiled and rolled in a basinet.

Scorp and Rose peered in to see a very tiny baby lying on its back, eyes closed, tiny toes and fingers curled. He already had a light down on white blond hair, much to everyone surprise.

"He's..." Rose couldn't go on, only bit her lip as her eyes filled with tears. Trish lifted the baby and put him into Rose's waiting arms, very gently tucking a blue blanket with snowflakes on it around him.

"He's actually quiet developed for only 28 weeks, but still very small; only 14 inches." said Trish, smiling at the new family "I'll leave you all to it."

"He doesn't need any extra care, does he?" asked Scorp, glancing worriedly at his son.

Trish shook her head "Like I said, he's quiet developed; though most babies his age wouldn't need much extra care either-a mother's touch is the best medicine. Congratulations you two," she said finally before exiting, closing the door softly behind her.

Rose and Scorp gazed down at their son, hearts brimming with love for the tiny human being they had made together-their son.

"He's perfect," Rose whispered "Absolutely perfect."

Scorp smoothed her hair back from her forehead and kissed her temple "That's because you're his mother."

Rose looked up at Scorp, beaming despite the tears streaming down her cheeks "I'm so happy." She said softly.

"I've never been happier, Rose." Scorp said, squeezing her gently with the arm around her shoulders.

Gaze once again returning to their son, Rose kissed his forehead "Hello Jasper, welcome to the world."

                  Scorp walked down the white hall, unable to stop smiling-not that he wanted to. In the waiting room he was greeted by anxious smiles and hugs, whispers and tears.

"Is everything still running smoothly?" Hermione asked, grateful for Ron's arm around her shoulder.

"Everything is fine," Scorp said "Rose would like you to come and see her and the baby, would you like to?"

Everyone readily agreed, and the five walked back down the halls to Rose's room; knocking lightly, Scorp sat down on the edge of Rose's bed as everyone shuffled in.

"Oh!" Hermione breathed, moving closer "Rose...he's perfect."

"And blonde!" Astoria exclaimed, everyone laughing quietly as not to disturb the baby as she blushed deeply.

Draco squeezed Scorp's shoulder and gave him a proud smile "He really is a beautiful baby, Scorpius."

"Thanks, Father."

Although everyone was cooing over her son, Rose had eyes mainly for Ron-she wanted to know what he thought of his grandson. "Daddy?" she asked, smiling tiredly at him "What do you think of your Grandson?"

Ron was blinking rapidly as he leaned down to kiss Rose's forehead "I think he's just right, Rosie Pose."

"Are you crying, Dad?"

Everyone turned to see Hugo in the doorway, Fiona beside him; Fiona had a large bouquet of baby's breathe, and Hugo had a floppy white rabbit. "Hugo!" Rose cried "I'm so glad you're here; come meet your nephew."

"And I'm not crying." Ron defended as laughter filled the room once again.

Hugo crossed the room and gave Rose a gentle hug and kissed her cheek, placing the rabbit on the bedside table. "Oh Ro," he said "I think you couldn't have made a prettier baby-not with parents such as he has."

"What is the lad's name?" Hermione asked.

Rose looked at Scorp and he nodded; glancing at Ron first, Rose gazed down at her son "His name is Jasper, Jasper Ronald."

                  A chilly wind came from the sea and over the dunes, but no harm could come to the tiny bundle in Rose Malfoy's arms. Scorp unlocked the door and the little family walked in, Bea jumping at their heels; to their surprise, baby Jasper only blinked with interest and did not cry.

"He's an odd one, isn't he?" Rose cooed, but there was nothing but affection in her voice.

Bea led the way up the stairs to the room that was the nursery, furnished with wood furniture and white cloth; the rooms finishing touches had been done hastily while Rose and Jasper were still in the hospital, but it had all come together nicely. The sun was setting over the dunes, and golden light came through the many windows, glinting off the picture frames on the walls; there were photographs of Rose and Scorp, Jasper's grandparents, Bea, Jasper's ultrasound pictures and a few paintings of Rose's from before she was pregnant.

Lying Jasper down in the crib, Scorp wrapped and arm around Rose as they gazed down at their son; his hair was curly and white blonde, and much to the surprise of all the nurses and doctors he had opened his eyes-they were just like Rose's, blue flecked with copper brown.

"You know," Rose said softly "I think Jasper is the best mistake we ever made."

Scorp let out a low laugh, noticing Bea settling at the foot of the crib; he knew then that she would watch over Jasper for years to come. "I think so."

Going on her tiptoes, Rose kissed Scorp with as much love as she had when they were seventeen years old in the forest, unaware of how their futures would entangle. "Here's to mistakes then," she said. "To Jasper."

Wrapping his arms around his wife, Scorp had never been more grateful for stumbling across a red haired, guarded and talented girl in the forest all those years ago-she had changed him so much, given him everything. "Here's to Jasper."

Though he had been a little disappointed that Jasper didn't have red hair.

A/N: There it is! The last chapter of LIS. The epilogue will be up soon!

Question: What did you think?

Rose<3