Another Check-Up

[Violetta Crouch]

Heart thudding in her chest, Violetta paced elegantly as she could through the partially ajar door of St. Mungo's hospital. She had no reason to feel nervous, for she had been into the hospital for a simple check-up only a month previous, but it was important to keep an eye on things. At least, that was Deimos' opinion on the matter, and knowing his condition to be potentially inheritable, Violetta had to agree.
Aided by her muscular partner, the woman walked slowly along the corridors towards the appropriate waiting area, and there she took a seat in silence, lost again in her thoughts.
While in her arms and ankles there was not a single sign of her increased appetite, her rounding belly had begun to show the early symptoms of the tell-tale bump. Her hand fell instinctively to it, eyes glancing up into the deep pooling brown orbs of the werewolf's face. Even if this baby was to be cursed, it should have the most handsome features and delightful eyes.

"Crouch, Violetta."
The voice of a young male nurse called out into the corridor, sending and echo churning around the waiting room. Violetta stood from her seat, aided by Deimos who had remained standing like some sort of strong statue. Since their little discovery of the result of a long summer night spent together, Deimos had been an absolute rock; day or night if Violetta had needed anything, even something luxurious such as a foot massage to ease her body of morning nausea, Deimos had been there. In fact, he had spent so much time in the company of Violetta and her quaint home that she had almost invited him to move from his squalid town flat and join her in the seclusion of that dainty muggle neighbourhood she titled 'home'. All that held her back was the uncertainty as to his answer. But she needn't have feared.

"Is everything all right?" Violetta enquired through the silence, stroking back a thick lock of blonde hair. The nurse smiled down at Violetta, who lay atop the padded bed with bright and curious eyes which came so expressing of youth. The nurse gave a brief nod and continued the examination, uttering the words "wonderfully healthy" and "strong foetus". Violetta smiled anxiously up at Deimos, giving his hand a light squeeze.

 

[Deimos Ares]

"Are you sure?" the Goliath of a man stood at his partner's bedside, watching her carefully, eyes only shifting to focus and center on those of the nurse as if judging the truth for himself. Since having found out the incredible news- that after years of searching for love and having finally given up until his meeting Violetta- he was at last going to be a daddy, Deimos had grown into the model, overcautious father-figure that only he could have dreamed to become.
Excitement pulsed through his every vein. He still couldn't quite believe it, but worry doused this cheerful flame as he had felt the realisation of his condition and the possible effects it would have on his son or daughter. No child ought to suffer that. It was simply not fair. But Deimos wasn't giving up; he had vowed from that day on to protect and support Violetta and his child in any way that he could, and the werewolf had been a man of his word.

The nurse gave another, reassuring nod. "I'm certain," he said with a smile, "but I can understand your concern. Truth is," the young man went on, and Deimos felt Violetta's hand give out another comforting squeeze which sent his eyes trailing to her beautiful face and the lovely rounded bump her stomach bore. "we don't get many people with your.. Condition, and those we do have are most commonly the result of unprepared transformations." Deimos looked away for a moment. Guilt still wreaked havoc among his daily thoughts for what he had done to Dominicus, of the horrible and life-changing effect he had left scarred upon him. There was not a day which passed him by where he did not think of that poor man. Still, as Violetta had told him it was time to move on. Accidents happened. Sometimes for the best.
"But what are the chances?" Deimos asked, suddenly breaking his silence, "What if he.. She.. it does inherit my condition? Is there no way of holding it off at least until a better age falls upon them?"
The nurse shook his head sadly. "I'm sure it wont come to such woeful times," he cooed softly, "It's really quite unlikely.."

 

[Violetta Crouch]

Violetta's heart gave a heavy thud. How she hoped and prayed that it had gone undetected from the father-to-be's pitch-perfect senses, but it soon grew evident that it had not. Deimos fixed Violetta with a hard but worried look. It was only too be expected that he should be nervous for their unborn child's well-being, given his lifelong condition, but Violetta felt certain that this baby would not suffer. For she would never allow it to be so. Even if the child was born of tooth and claw, the middle-aged witch would still treasure it nonetheless.
Violetta turned her head to face the nurse, giving him a nod of thanks which doubled up as permission granted to let the couple be for a few minutes. The nurse nodded back in reply, muttering something about checking up on another patient but promising his return in a matter of minutes. Now the pair could at last speak in private. They were both terrified for the child's fate, but Deimos claimed guilt more than Violetta ever could, and it was up to her to pay him comfort in this hour of need.

"It really will be fine," Violetta spoke softly, placing both hands upon Deimos' own. "I would feel if something was not quite right, I know it." But the man did not seem to believe her. Still, his face melted from a worried and protective frown into a warm but emotional smile. She needed something to really take his mind away from whatever sin he seemed to have believed he may have committed. And then the situation struck Violetta. Her cheeks pinkened and her face, too, blossomed into a beautiful and hope-winning smile. "You do know that this time next month, when we return for the next check-up, we get to find out Baby's gender, don't you?"

 

[Deimos Ares]

Deimos could not prevent himself from overhearing the thudding heartbeat of the woman he hoped to some day take as his wife. She was fearful, her just knew it, and she had every right to be; it was his fault that she was caught up in this situation, and though she claimed desperately night after night that she had longed for a child of her own, whatever its gender, colour, or unique traits, Deimos still struggled to forgive himself. He had already turned a fully grown man's life upside-down, now he was going to be doing exactly the same thing to an unborn child.
Naturally, other options had been discussed and Deimos had promised to stand by Violetta, whatever her decision. But she was avidly opposed to the idea of giving up this child in any manner. This was her choice, not his to be selfish with. He could not make up her mind for her, and she had every right to do as she pleased with both her body and those involved within it. Still, Deimos was angered by his lack of care and consideration that long December night before his Christmas transformation. But equally, he did not want to change a thing.

Once the nurse had left, Violetta really began to speak up and voice her thoughts and all the comforts she could muster. Deimos nodded, allowing his hand to be taken and stroked in soothing manner. "I trust that, I do," Deimos replied with little enthusiasm, but was quick to correct this with a smile. He loved Violetta and he was going to make things right. This was their little family life, now, fur and all.
The next sentence to fall from Violetta's mouth sent the man's mind spiralling in a completely new direction; at last it was hitting him, at last Deimos was greeting the realisation that he, a man of his forties, was going to be a father. It was a particularly exciting thought and the idea of finding out the child's gender, getting to help pick out the perfect name, assist in re-organising and decorating the boxing room of the house to create some form of nursery.. He couldn't wait.

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