I'm Loving Angels Instead

[Leah Bennet]

The potent smell of anaesthetic, heavy beneath Leah’s nose was all she could smell as the sharp contractions of pain finally passed. The deep black shadows behind her eyelids was all she could see. And a cry that was music only to a mother’s ears was all that she could hear. She must have appeared atrocious, with sweat beading on her glossy face and strands of blonde hair askew and unkempt, mascara clumping together on her eyelashes as a result of painful tears. But as another voice congratulating her rose over her child’s, Leah flicked her azure eyes open and gasped at the miracle that was being handed to her.

A baby boy, now bundled in a white hospital blanket, was in her arms. Pink and healthy, and every bit as beautiful as she could have ever imagined. For months and months she had been dreading this moment, fearing that the time would come in which at only twenty-six, she’d have to go through everything all over again (as much as she truly did love her Jay). But now the young woman felt as if she couldn’t possibly be lifted higher. Diamond tears struck the corners of her eyes before spilling happily down her flushed cheeks and an ecstatic smile fluttered delicately onto her lips as she held her baby boy close to her. After months on end of uncertainty and horrible, depressively low self-esteem, this baby was her silver lining, her little angel.

It was hard to tear her eyes away from him even for a moment so that she could acknowledge the wonderful people that she hadn’t even noticed where in the room before. First there was Izaak, those wonderful azure eyes glinting spectacularly as he guided Jay towards her beside and leant down to kiss her forehead and to whisper how proud he was of her. Her little sister was nearby Izaak, and Leah could not be more over the moon that she had finally woken up, she had missed too much already without missing the birth of her nephew. Then there was Alexis, and Leah set aside a particularly appreciative smile for the godmother of her baby, knowing that it must have taken a lot of gut and a lot of reserve to be in the same room as Izaak. On the other side of her bed, opposite to her brother, was the man she had honestly most wanted to see. “Keith,” She breathed with an ever present smile on her lips. “He’s beautiful.” Leah could not help but to cast her eyes back down to her son again as she relished in all the bits of him that resembled his father. But a gasp escaped her as he peeled open his tiny eyelids to reveal a pair of eyes, the most stunning shade of azure. Then she said with a breathless giggle, “He’s a Finch for sure.”

 

[Keith Mercer]

Nothing would ever beat the feeling that swam through Keith as he stared down at the bundle of blankets in the nurses arms. He had a grin on his face that he couldn't wipe off, no matter how ridiculous he suspected he looked. His eyes were glossy from the onslaught of emotions. And even through the abuse his hand undertook during the labour and the ringing in his ears from the excitement of it all, Keith knew this was the best feeling in the world. Being a Father.

Keith had a baby boy. That was another aspect about this whole situation that made Keith's heart beat almost painfully with sheer joy. He had two beautiful girls and now a healthy baby boy. He relished in Leah's expression as she smiled down at their son. He couldn't form the words to agree to her statement, so instead nodded, closing the entire distance between himself and Leah's bed to push her hair off her damp forehead. Keith still thought she looked beautiful, probably even more so now that she was the Mother of his child. No, he couldn't say he loved her. But he cared a lot about her and held a hell of a strong respect for her.

When the baby boy opened his eyes, Keith was met with such familiar orbs. The striking blue matching his Mother's almost perfectly. If it were possible, Keith's smile widened. "He's perfect." Keith whispered, tearing his eyes away to press a gentle kiss to Leah's temple. A silent well done and thanks, for going through the childbirth. Keith was so relieved to know they were on the same page when it came to the child that was resting in Leah's arms. Neither wanted to spend the rest of their lives together, but they had both wanted this child and a friendship.

Keith snapped his gaze straight back to the baby, almost forgetting about everyone else in the room as he stared at the adorable boy. He drank in the eyes glancing around the unfamiliar environment, the flushed cheeks and the little baby hands poking out of the blanket he was wrapped in. Keith offered his hand and let the baby grab onto his forefinger. It was like a direct tug at his heart strings. "I like Gabriel." He said absently, not tearing his eyes away. He had thought a lot about names, but hadn't chosen a definite. He had assumed he would let Leah pick, but seeing the tiny boy, something felt right about the name Gabriel. Like the angel.

 

[Leah Bennet]

Words could not do justice to how perfect he simply was. And after all the regret and the cold feet she had gotten, Leah was finally grateful for what Keith had given her. Yes there was a seemingly endless pile of sleepless nights on the cards for her and she would find herself once again up to her neck in nappies and formula. But this tiny miracle in her arms was worth every last bit of her frustration. Nothing could ever be that bad anymore, she had him and she had Jay and right now she felt as if she had the world. Her ecstasy had shot towards the stars.

A small smile wove across her lips as she tilted her head towards the kiss he had set against her temple and she knew exactly the kind of appreciation he meant. Lifting her eyes for a moment from her baby boy, Leah passed him a wondrous smile, giving him her own silent thanks for this tiny creation resting safely in her arms. But it was not long before she steadied them back on to the bundle of blankets as Keith stretched his hand towards him. The pure, unbridled amazement that washed across her expression as a tiny fist clasped around Keith’s index finger was far too much for anyone to describe. And honestly, how could anything ever do justice to a moment like this?

"I like Gabriel." A sudden glow, more exuberant than the one before, lit up the young woman’s features at the name he suggested. “Our little angel.” Leah spoke with a smile and bundled him further into her chest, as if he could possibly get any closer to her heart. “Keith, I love it.” For a wonderful moment she gazed into his watered blue eyes and knew that they would never be a perfect family that went out together every Sunday or that huddled in one bed whenever a storm came rolling in. Her and Keith, they would never be together like that. But Leah did not mind in the least, he and Gabriel were perfect enough for her. She cast her azure eyes upward and opened her mouth to introduce her baby to all of the beloved people around her but choked as she saw their expressions. The tears flowed down her face more freely now and she laughed at her own expanse of emotion, simply not able to wipe the smile from her lips.

 

[Alexis Richarde]

Sitting on the couch of her new home talking to Lewis, Alexis had not expected the news she had gotten about her best friend, Leah, going into labour. She couldn't imagine it had been nine months already but as she got changed into something more appropriate for this situation but something that she thought might show her ex-lover what he was missing. Her hair was already straightened nicely and she had very light make up on only to accentuate herself before she grabbed her wand, tucking it in her back pocket and apparating to a broom cupboard in an Australian hospital.

Quickly the young woman asked where Leah had been sent, well once she had gotten out of the supply closet. Alexis could not wait to meet the little one that she loved with all of her being, she even let herself forget about the fact that Izaak would be there as she stood anxiously in the waiting room, denying herself the urge to be with her best friend during this because she wasn't sure if Professor Mercer was going to be there, afterall it was sort of an awful thing to do, have sex with someone you didn't know when you were years older then them. But she also didn't want her dear friend to be overwhelmed when she was going through this.

It seemed like hours had gone by as Alexis waited, getting cups on top of cups of coffee until she, Bells and Izaak where told they could go in. She suddenly burst with energy and popped up, passing by the people she once wanted nothing more than to be their family, one their wife, the other their sister-in-law. Tredding carefully she walked into the room and smiled lovingly at her friend when she saw her friend and the bundle of white in her arms.

Alexis was awe-struck as she watched from afar and her heart that she had distanced from pain stung with love as she saw Jay watch his mother with youthful innocence and love. She glanced over to Izaak for a quick moment, catching his eyes once before immediately looking away, setting her hazel-green orbs onto Professor Mercer. She flashed him a smile, not really noticing if he caught it or not but she didn't think he did when he moved over to her friend.

Stiffening at the sight of this, Alexis watched over Leah and the baby boy carefully. But she relaxed when he acted gently towards the two people she loved more than she could have ever imagined she would. Listening in silence, the young woman smiled as she pet her friend's head soothingly. She could barely listen to the conversation that was going on silently and spoken as she looked at the angelic features of the blue eyed new born. "Hi beautiful" she mouthed to the young child, starring quite contently at him in silence before she looked up and once more her gaze met with Izaak when she turned a beat red but not from affection from a complicated mix of emotions that she didn't want to have in the area of this lovely little new born so she looked away and thought carefully to herself, He isn't worth anything. He isn't worth your love or your hate. He is just the brother to your best friends. You lived without him and you can do it again.

"He.. he is beautiful Leah," Alexis said gently, looking down at her friend before she remembered that the father was also here. "Professor Mercer," she added softly afterwards as if she had said the same thing before his name as she had said before Leah's. She fell silent, letting her feelings speak for her as she soothed her tired friend as she fawned over azure eyed Gabriel.

 

[Izaak Finch]

It had been hard from the moment Izaak had stepped into the quaint maternity room to fix his azure eyes anywhere else but onto the tiny being that he was now the proud uncle of. It was even a struggle to pass smiles to everyone else. But as Jay had began to tug impatiently on one of the loopholes on his jeans and whispered hasty questions about his mother and his new little brother, Izaak took the opportunity to bring him over to Leah’s bedside. As the little boy stood on the tips of his toes and reached up to peer curiously at the new addition to his family, Izaak graced his sister’s forehead with a kiss and whispered, “I am so proud of you.” He knew that she had been doubtful about this baby and that her self-esteem had plummeted to an all-time low but she had battled on through and now looked as if she were the happiest person in the world. And so she should be, his little azure-eyed nephew was beautiful, just as she had said.

If anyone in the room were able to prize his eyes away from the baby bundled in his sister’s arms, it was Alexis. More often than not he had caught himself staring at her, only to flick his eyes away in panic whenever she surprised him with a glance. It would be a lie to say that he wasn’t longing for her. It had taken several days for Izaak to calm himself down after their fight and although he was deeply ashamed of the things he had sneered at her, he could not and would not forgive her for what she had said about his friend girlfriend and their daughter. But that was not going to stop him from loving her. After flitting his eyes from Keith and Leah to his ex, Izaak could not help but wonder over all the amazing things they had had in store for their future, this moment in particular. Had they still been together this could have been them in several years time, awe-struck over their new son or daughter. But Izaak had to force his mind back on track, this was not the way he was supposed to be thinking. He loved Isabella, and he loved their new relationship, old flames were prohibited from that part of his mind.

Gabriel, It suited this moment in his sister’s life so perfectly and it suited the blue-eyed baby even more so. It was perfect, he was perfect and were it not for all this denial and longing crashing through his mind, this moment would have been perfect. Now that Alexis was next to him, Jay reached up and curled his little arms around her hips like he did so often to all the female figures in his life. “Are you going to have a baby like Mummy and Aunty Bella too Lexis?” Jay piped up innocently with a curious and excited smile at the prospect of having another little baby to educate in the ways of Jay. Izaak had been remembering a time when Alexis had playfully warned him that Jay could give him a run for his money in the race for her affections, jealously knowing that now he had finally won out when he excitedly voiced a question. A hoarse, anxious cough escaped him loudly, plummeting a tide of unease and awkwardness through him. To distract himself from the hot water Jay had just thrown the ex-couple into, Izaak squeezed in beside Leah and reached out a forefinger to stroke the side of the baby’s cheek. “Hey there buddy,” The twenty year old grinned first down at Gabriel, then across at Keith before settling on Leah, glad that she had finally gotten the happiness Lord knows she deserved.

 

[Bella Lanning]

Bella walked beside her nephew and held his hand as they walked in seeing her big sister layed out on a bed, her hair messy and her face glossy. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw a man that was the father but she'd never met him before and this was her own sister, but then again, she'd only met Leah once or twice. Alexis saw her and walked over to Leah. Laying a hand on her head, and kissing her lightly, lightly on the cheek. She'd missed it. Something that was so important and wonderful to her, she missed it, but none of that mattered anymore, because the rich bundle of life and joy was now in this world. Autumn toddled along, speaking in small babbles of attempted words now then squeaks. The tall soon-to-be 19 year old, picked Autumn up and showed her the beautiful little baby. "Look! It's your new baby cousin!" She cooed, and Bella's eyes filled with tears, Autumn pointed to the beautiful baby boy, and then at Izaak, holding out her arms for him to hold her. Bella strolled over to Alexis, after slowly putting Autumn on the floor next to Jay, and swung her arm around her, letting her head rest on her best friend's shoulder. It felt so good to be surrounded by people, a thick atmosphere of love surrounded everyone in the room. She looked at the tiny baby in Leah's arms and smirked. Feeling weak and shaky, Bella pulled up a chair and sat down, not saying much, just being so happy to be here.


sorry, lame ><

 

[Alexis Richarde]

Alexis glanced down in surprise as Jay wrapped his arms around her, she had almost forgotten about the little boys presense in her moment of confusion with herself. She looked down at him and smiled but it dropped into an expression of shock. She looked up, searching for some answer when her eyes met Izaak's again. She cringed as she remembered how they had promised things to themselves, to one another and to the future and how it would never be. She looked back down at Jay and sighed quietly before she answered, "No sweetie. I'm too young to have a baby. Just like you, so don't make any plans mister." She gave the little boy a wink before laughing gently although she did not want the blonde child to end up having a baby at eighteen. "Deal?" she asked him as she held a pinky out to his hand, asking for a pinky swear from the six year old boy. "We only have babies like Mummy and Aunty Bella when we're old and grey like the doctor," she said, leaning down and whispering the last bit into his ear so the doctor wouldn't hear her.

Alexis kissed Jay's cheek gently before standing up tall and looking over at Bella, whom she had missed terribly during her coma. "God Bells," she whispered quietly, fearful that her voice might break the quiet serenity they all were experiencing right now because of Gabriel. She hugged her friend gently before she let her go and picked Jay up so he could see Gabriel and Leah better. "Do you like your baby brother?" she asked the little boy quietly, knowing that soon they wouldn't see each other for a long time and she would miss him just as much as she would miss Leah, Bella and Gabriel.

 

[Keith Mercer]

Keith beamed when Leah approved of the name. It was perfect. The little boy, who's eyes were fluttering shut every so often, was perfect. The time had gone so fast. It seemed only yesterday he was sat in the coffee shop with Leah and he was telling her he wouldn't abandon her or their child. He refused to remember that he had almost wanted to run. It was a horrible, awful memory. Now that he looked down at the azure-eyed boy, he couldn't imagine a life without knowing him and he had only been in the world a few minutes.

Keith glanced up when he was acknowledged by a girl that he knew attended Hogwarts. He almost chuckled at the Professor title, but instead flashed her a smile. While his eyes were not on the baby, he took the opportunity to scan the company in the room. He watched as little Jay, who he had heard so much about, interacted with his family and it warmed his heart further. Keith could feel an obvious tension in the room, but it was drowned by the joy of new life.

After smiling at each person in the room individually as a thank you for being present, Keith allowed his eyes to drift once again back to his son. "Little Gabriel." He whispered, testing out the name. After all the disappointment he had felt with Avory, this was his reward.

 

[Taylor Mercer]

Taylor had been out walking along the beach that was only a minutes walk from her Mother's house. After wiping the sand off her feet and entering the small town house, she noticed an owl pecking impatiently at the window. No one was home, Jessica was staying at Mercer Manor and her Mum had been busy at Flourish and Blotts as everyone rushed to buy school books, so who knew how long the owl had been waiting for. Taylor pulled open the window and accepted the letter with a mumbled apology, the owl scowled at her before flying away. It was addressed to Taylor, so she ripped it open and read that the baby was being born.

Taylor really wasn't sure how she felt about it. She hadn't taken the news that her Dad got someone pregnant very well because she had been furious at the world. She had just punched Jenna and Hoshi, so really it wasn't the best time to discover she was going to have a baby brother or sister. However she had thought about it over the months and concluded it wouldn't be so bad. Taylor would be at Hogwarts most of the time, so she probably wouldn't even get to see him or her and even when she was staying at the manor, the baby would probably be near her Father's room on the opposite side of the mansion. What if her Dad didn't even see the baby? Taylor pushed that thought out of her head, if she knew her Dad at all, she knew that he wasn't one to abandon children, especially not his own. It was a certain weakness he held.

Taylor flued herself to a small wizarding shop a short walk away from the hospital. Noticing it was a gift shop, she quickly bought a small bouquet of flowers with beautiful white lilies with a charmed piece of ribbon saying congratulations that wove itself around the flowers. She then bolted out of the door, excitement overtaking her other emotions. She suddenly couldn't wait to see the baby and meet the Mother. As she entered the doors of the hospital she slowed down and asked which room Leah was staying in, beginning to make bets with herself on what gender the baby was. Taylor suspected it would be a girl. She then set off at a fast walk down the corridor and after rounding a corner, began running again. She counted the rooms as she ran, almost missing the right one as she skidded on the polished floors. Gripping the handle of the door with her free hand, catching herself just before she fell.

Taking a deep breath, the excitement was matched with a nervousness, but either way she couldn't wait any longer. Pushing open the door, she stepped inside to see a room of people. All similar ages except her Dad and a young boy and girl. "Hi." She said softly, as her Dad turned to her she grinned, he looked almost surprised to see her here. Walking up to the bed, Taylor looked at the child resting in his Mother's arms, his azure blue eyes sparkling, and her heart melted. It was the most beautiful sight Taylor had seen in a long time and the love and happiness in the room was almost visible. Taylor held up the flowers with an awkward grin. "These are for you." She said, placing them down on the bedside table. Taylor smiled at Leah warmly before looking up at her Dad. She took a step back and allowed him to place a hand at the base of her neck, like he had done ever since she was a little girl. "Boy or girl?" She asked as she peered into the baby's face. It was too cute for words.

 

[Leah Bennet]

Leah shone her best friend a perfectly happy smile as she complimented the baby boy in her arms. In all honesty, she had been surprised when she’d seen Alexis walk into the room. After all that had gone down between her and Izaak no more than a few weeks ago who could have really blamed her for not wanting to be within a miles reach of him? But despite the tension that Jay had roused with his innocent question, the ex-couple seemed to be on their best behaviour in regards to one another. Leah could not linger on their problems for very long though, the child in her arms was much too riveting to keep her attention anywhere else for much longer. Not even the concern for her little sister, understandably as tired as she was, could hold a candle to the new found glee inside of her.

The young woman smiled at her eldest son as he hooked his pinky around Alexis’ with a secretive giggle and was lifted him into her arms, and she shifted the newborn slightly so that his brother could more easily see his face. “Jay sweetie, this is your little brother, Gabriel.” The six year old’s face lit up with all the excitement in the world at he gaped down at this new addition to his family, still nodding vigourously at Alexis’ question. “Yeah. Just like Izaak is for Mummy.” He grinned toothily, proudly showcasing his concept of siblings to the quiet hospital room.

Leah had been about to open her mouth to warmly reply to Jay’s statement when a young girl, no less than a few years younger than Alexis, stepped inside the room with a beautiful bouquet of lilies at hand. Almost instantly Leah tacked into who this was and once she did another flood of warmth inundated her exhausted body. Her flushed lips formed a delicate and touched circle as she set the flowers down on the bedside table. Already Leah could feel herself warming to Keith’s daughter, her manners and her sweetness were impeccable. “Wow. Thankyou, those are beautiful.” A softer smile pressed onto her expression as her eyes made a swap, the flowers for the young girl. “Taylor, right? I’ve heard so much about you. And he’s a boy, Gabriel, you finally have a brother hey?” Leah grinned, barely able to hide her ecstatic expression as she then turned her gaze to Keith and stared up at him with those gleeful blue eyes of hers. “Did you want to nurse him?” There was only one thing that would make her equally as happy as cradling her newborn son in her arms, and that was seeing his father’s expression when he had his first hold.

 

[Keith Mercer]

Keith wasn't expecting Taylor at the hospital. He had let her know it was happening, but for her to be here was a little unexpected, but either way, he was thrilled that he could share this moment with his oldest child and now his youngest. He knew there was no point hoping Jessica would show up, the girl never did anything that didn't benefit herself. He smiled at Taylor's sweet gesture of flowers. How had he managed to raise Taylor, who was so kind-hearted and then Jessica who was the complete opposite of her sister? It made Keith wonder what his infant son would be like when he grew up. Keith couldn't wait to find out.

Keith felt Taylor nod under the weight of his hand at the back of her neck in response to Leah's two questions. He then met the blue eyes of Leah and the next question made him feel light headed from the rush of emotions. "Of course." He said eagerly, the smile on his face bright. He leant down gently and accepted the baby from Leah, all his parental instincts rushing back to him. Images from the days Taylor and Jessica were born filled his mind as he cradled the baby in his arms, making sure to support his little baby head. Keith was filled with such a strong emotion of love, that it overwhelmed him. He snuggled the baby close to his body. I'm a Father. This little baby is my son. He looked at Leah, with gratitude in his pale blue eyes. It still felt so surreal. The warmth of Gabriel's body was comforting and Keith felt as though he could never be upset again, simply because he had this beautiful baby boy and his eldest daughter that leant in close to her brother to smile warmly at the sleeping baby. The moment was perfect.