New Arrival

[Liberty Kaelen]

Libby had spent the night in hospital along-side her husband and newborn son Keanu. She'd gotten up early to make sure he was alright, and had had confirmation that they were indeed now aloud to take him home. She watch her sleeping son in the cot that had been placed beside her bed, and turned to wrap her arms round Alex. "It will be so sweet when he falls asleep at home, won't it?" she smiled looking up at him. She walked back to the cot to slowly pick up the soft bundle, and she held him in her arms. The nurses said he would grow, and although he was tinier than usual at the moment, there was nothing to worry about. Libby's body still hurt and she couldn't wait till they got back to the pub. Everything was ready to be taken home.

 

[Alex Corvus]

Alex hoped that Larissa and Tobias hadn't let the pub go to pot. Although, this was the least of his worries, now that he had to get Libby and his son safely back home. He couldn't drive and the car was still parked outside the pub. A muggle taxi was the only way. He wasn't going to let his wife walk further than she had to. He beamed at Liberty, and then at his son. "I think he'll grow up to do great things.." Alex's words drifted off. They could talk more about the future when they got back to the privacy of the pub. "Do you think you're ready to go?" Alex was looking with concern at his wife, wondering if she herself was well enough to return home. There was a taxi on standby, outside the hospital.

 

[Liberty Kaelen]

Libby nodded, she wasnt sure why she had a slight headache but she was positive it would pass. Her bag was on the chair beside the door, and she was thankful she didn't have to worry about running the pub for a few days. She wondered if her brother had enjoyed looking after it. He had once worked in the Hogs Head, so even if Larissa had made a mess of things he would know what to do. "Yes he will.." she agreed, picking up her bag. "Can you take him?" she asked. She wasn't going to be able to carry everything. As she passed Keanu over, his soft hair tickled her arm, sending shivers up to her neck.
They walked out the room, and made there way back out of the hospital. She'd never had to go to a hospital properly before, even at Hogwarts. She had her wand at home. She could do a few things without it, but for her it was the first steps to having a life without magic. When their child was of age, they could return, but for now they had decided to let him grow up with a normal lifestyle. As they approached the taxi, Libby threw the bags in the back and was grateful for her mothers car seat that had been brought round last night. Both her father and step-father had come to visit them last night with her mother, dropping off a few essentials and to wish them good luck. Libby knew now it was just up to Alex and herself to look after Keanu.

 

[Alex Corvus]

They arrived back at the pub in good time. It was strange for Alex to see the doors closed and the windows, dark, when it was this time of day, but nevertheless, he stepped out of the cab, walked to front door, unlocked it and returned to the taxi to help his wife and son inside: The pub was still and silent. Nothing downstairs was out of place, but as Alex whizzed upstairs, ahead of his family, he found one room in a state- the bedroom. He wasn't sure what to think, and he didn't want to know, but he quickly began to tidy up the place, straightening the bed covers and the lamp. He then sped to aid Libby in getting up the stairs with their son. "I think your brother stayed here for the night." Alex said in an innocent way, pushing the subject quickly aside. They got into the bedroom. Alex had fetched the cot from the next room and placed it at the foot of their bed. "I think he should sleep in with us for at least tonight.." He was still concerned for his son's safety after a premature birth. Alex sat down on the bed. His life had changed so much in one year, from rebelling young wizard, to a loving husband and father who did not practice magic. In many ways, Alex's mistake had been the greatest thing that ever happened to him.

 

[Liberty Kaelen]

Libby tipped the taxi driver as he helped her unpack the boot, and she followed Alex into the house. If Larissa and Tobias had been looking after the place, they'd certainly done a good job.Not a thing looked as though it had been moved. Walking up the chairs, she watched as Keanu was tucked into his cot, and Libby stood beside it looking down at him. She heard what Alex said but it didn't register as anything important. He was herbrother after all. She looked up at Alex, "You alright?" she asked, wondering why he looked so..peaky. She too was worried about their son, but she knew he would be fine. The doctors wouldn't have let them leave if he wasn't. She looked down again. "He looks like you.." she stated, admiring his features. This was the start of something new, a world away from Hogwarts and her magical family. Everything she'd known for the last 13 years was being put aside.

 

[Alex Corvus]

"Do.. Do you really think so?" Alex replied, turning to look his wife in the eyes. He could pick out the odd feature that was alike to his, though he could definitely see some of Liberty's beauty portrayed upon their son. He became a lot more serious, "I think we need to seriously discuss Keanu's future now, before it is too late in the day." Alex had the sudden craving for a cigarette, though he had long since given up. Well, three months he had been avoiding the deadly little things, all for the sake of his new family. Especially now that his son had been born earlier than he should have. "Are we going to put him through muggle school until he is old enough to attend one of our own world?" His concern was obvious. He only wanted the best for his son, a bright future, a good life, even though the child was only a day old.

 

[Liberty Kaelen]

Libby nodded and took a seat beside him. "I think... well, i knew about the wizarding world when i was four. My childhood wasn't magic-free" She said, realizing that although they were married and had a son, Libby barely new anything about her husband. "What about you?" she asked. Of course she wanted the best for Keanu, she just wasn't sure if they should hide him away. Was there a chance that he could be q squib? Sure. Was there a chance that when he found out he was magical he would never trust his parents again? Maybe. "If he knew young it would be natural and he'd go round telling everyone right? They might not believe him but what about when he performs magic in front of them? Maybe he should know when he's older.." she said, having a mental argument with herself. Looking across to Keanu as he stretched awake, she smiled as she noted his big brown eyes.

 

[Keanu Corvus]

Keanu is officially alive ;D

 

[Alex Corvus]

Alex was shocked at the realisation that he and his wife, though having known each other for many months, they had never really known one another. "My mum was a.." Alex tried to shrug off the words he had been about to say. He didn't enjoy talking about his mother and her condition. Besides, that would only worry Liberty more. "I didn't see any magic until I was ten and visited Diagon Alley. Although, I did sort of know about it when I was coming up for my eighth birthday and I argued with mum, and a nearby vase blew up.. Got in a lot of trouble for that." Alex knew he had drifted slightly from his answer, but he didn't care. "I think you're right." Alex agreed with his wife, "If he knows, then he will show off his magic and land us all in trouble.. Perhaps it's best we don't tell him until he is old enough to cope with it." Alex glanced at his son. They were discussing these things with the boy in question in the room. But Alex would someday tell his son what they were.. If he didn't find out before.

 

[Liberty Kaelen]

Libby wondered why Alex cut of before telling her what his mum was. She wasn't sure why he wouldn't let her, but she was going to nag him about it... yet. She half smiled when he said he'd blown up a vase. She had had an experience similar to his when she'd been seven. Her younger brother had stolen her wand and was poking her teddies in the back of the car on holiday. On wresting the wand back from him, she'd made the car windows disappear, and Cedric had thrown the teddy at her, missing, and WOOSH. That was the end of him. Her parents didn't want to drive back to pick him up. Libby had spent the next few hours in a sulk and getting told off by her mum as she repaired the window. She nodded. When he was old enough. Though whether that would be aged five or ten she didn't know. She hadn't really thought on how they should bring him up. "I'm going to go into town later. Pick up some more furniture" she said. They hadn't managed to get much yet, what with Keanu being born a month early. The nursery still had a few things needed before it was finished. "Where did Larissa and Tobias get to?" she asked, curious as to why they ran off before they'd gotten home.

 

[Alex Corvus]

Alex was glad that Liberty had just dropped the subject of his mum. He wasn't ready yet to tell her that she was a squib- especially not when they had just been blessed with a son whose wizarding powers would go untested for many years. In all honesty, Alex had no idea where his brother-in-law and wife's troublesome.. Friend had got to. He could guess, though, by the mess he had found around him upon entering the bedroom, as to what they had been up to. He had no intention of being the one to break the news to Liberty, and so he simply shrugged, muttering "Probably went shopping, or for a walk to enjoy the scenery." He didn't know if that sounded in character for Larissa, or not. Either way, he was pleased that they had disappeared for now. But then, another thought shot into his mind and it caused him to swallow hard. "You are going to manage the funeral next week, aren't you?" he asked timidly, knowing how difficult it had already been without the added chaos of a baby.

 

[Liberty Kaelen]

Libby almost smiled at the idea of Larissa enjoying scenery with Tobias, and she hoped he's kept her entertained whatever they'd done. If Larissa was bored she would have got up to mischief.
In all honesty Libby had been trying not to think about her brother. The funeral was set for next week. After visiting Keanu the family were continuing to stay in France to follow with it. Cedric had died just two days before Keanu was born. The wound was still deep. Her younger brother would never be able to meet his nephew. Keanu would never know the boy who Libby had spent her childhood with. Before she realized it, there was a small tear running down her cheek. She had to find some way of not letting her brother just..leave. "Keanu..doesn't have a middle name." she said softly, wondering how Alex would react to this next part. "What about Cedric?" she asked. The funeral would be tough, but her brother could live long through her son.

 

[Alex Corvus]

Alex felt so guilty, wishing he had said nothing. "Oh, Libs.." He sighed, rushing to wipe her tears away. He was beginning to realise just how much he loved this perfect stranger. Her suggestion rumbled around his brain. A part of him had hoped that his son would take his name as his second one, but he knew in his heart that Cedric should be kept in remembrance, even if only in a name. "I think," Alex said honestly, smiling at his beautiful wife, "that's a wonderful idea." How much had this young man changed in the space of a few months? How quickly had he not only changed his clothes, but also his attitude towards life? Surprisingly quickly. He still needed to find time to buy a new black suit- he could hardly wear his wedding one to a funeral, for Merlin's sake!

 

[Liberty Kaelen]

Libby smiled, glad he didn't think it was ridiculas. It was strange how quickly they'd both..adapted to their lives. "I don't think i'm going back to school for my seventh year. I'll stay here, looking after the pub and Keanu. I'll return for graduation, but that's all." family was the most important thing to her now, and she knew it must have been hard for Alex to run the pub on his own for eight months. She leant against him thinking. "And then when Keanu starts school, we can start taking him on holidays. Visit all the places we've been and want to go." she said slowly. The places Cedric would never be able to go. Of course she had other siblings, but she'd known Cedric for fourteen years. Libby suddenly realized something, and felt awful that she hadn't said anything before. "You're 21" she said. "I'm sorry i wasn't here" she began, trying to think of a way to make up for it.

 

[Alex Corvus]

"Hey," Alex said, shaking his head, "it's alright.. I've never really bothered celebrating my birthday. It was only my mates who would make a fuss and insist they treat me to a drink out, or something." He honestly didn't mind, although he was, deep down, beginning to wonder how many of his thoughts he silenced for the sake of convenience. There were many things that he never said, and many more that he disallowed himself from thinking. Like the fact that maybe he would like to do something for his birthday in the future. He almost slapped himself for thinking such a thing when he knew he had a wife and child to care for. Any money he earned was for them and them alone. "Do you think you'll ever go back to New Zealand?" He asked as the thought bubbled to the front of his mind.

 

[Liberty Kaelen]

Out of Character:

imma go after i post this btw.. sleepy pheeb. also i gave alex half my moneys

Libby listened, her head on his shoulder. It was only now she realized how exhausted she was. Closing her eyes she replyed, "only for graduation. I might visit my cousin while im there but i won't be that long. A month at the most" she promised. It would be nice to see her old friends again. Well, she said friends. The people she used to know. She had never had a close friend at Hogwarts. A beauxbatons student had been very sweet to her, but she'd never gotten to know her better. Just then Keanu start balling, and sitting up, Libby looked over the cot to see if there were any obvious signs. Failing that, she picking their son up, before lying him back down on the bed between them, where he lay staring up at them. Libby smiled, putting her indexfinger in his palm and watching his grab it. All babies loved that. Her sister had too. She was grateful now for the experience her sister had given her..

 

[Alex Corvus]

Out of Character:

I wondered where that had come from Thanks. And, okay x Hope you don't mind the scene change.

---

The morning broke with the sound of a wailing baby. Alex had been straight out of bed and to the cot, lifting the small newborn into his arms and cuddling him close for a moment or two. It quietened down. "Come on, Keanu," he breathed to the baby, "mustn't wake your mother up just yet." He was almost thankful for the racket of his son, which had woken him at precisely six O'clock in the morning. This meant that Alex would have time to tend to Keanu, sort out some breakfast for he and his wife, and open the pub in time for the regular morning customers.

Alex silently sought out the supplies for their child; a nappy, some powder and a piece of cardboard were the first things he found. He had noticed the smell the moment he had held Keanu, and he was going to have to learn at some point. "Better late than never, I suppose." He muttered to himself as he began his first attempt at changing his son's nappy. What his wife did not know, was that Alex had changed a muggle nappy once before. Only once, and under peculiar circumstances. It wasn't everyday a sixteen-year-old Alex comforted a tearful woman at a train station, assisting her with the baby that seemed to cause her so much heartbreak. He took Keanu's nappy change slowly, carefully disposing of the foul smelling one. And, in a moment, it was all over. He quickly tidied up before placing the baby back in his cot, and disappearing downstairs to ready some breakfast.

Clattering unsteadily on a tray was a small blue teapot, an empty cup and saucer, a knife, a fork, a plate of eggs, bacon, chips and beans, a napkin, a single yellow flower, a glass of orange juice and a note. Alex managed to open the bedroom door with his knee, and he entered triumphantly. "Morning," he said cheerfully, "I've brought you breakfast. I haven't fed Keanu, though, because.. Well.." and then Alex made an odd gesture at his chest once he had set the tray down before Libby. It had a set of legs which balanced in the bed either side of her.

 

[Liberty Kaelen]

Libby had fallen asleep very easily that night. In her dreams she heard the faint cry of something, but it soon dissapeared and rolling over she felt back into a soft sleep. She hadn't realized how tired she was the day before but she felt relieved to be able to catch up on some. She heard another noise, and her brain clicked it was Alex. She opened one eye and looked round to see him bringing in a tray with food and making an odd gesture. She yawned and sat up, her brown hair a mess around her head. She glanced at the cot at the end of the bed, and realized what he meant. "The doctors gave us a special formula." she said, pulling herself out from underneath the duvet. She'd asked the doctors especially for it, an reluctantly they'd given it to her.
She walked round and fished for something in the bag under his cot, and took out two boxes before thanking Alex for breakfast, and popping out to the kitchen herself to find a bottle and some water.
Re-entering the bedroom, and lifted her son out and took her seat back in bed, holding out the bottle to him. She was hungry herself, and was grateful for Alex's help. She looked up and smiled at him. "I'll get him and myself ready and then we'll come downstairs to say hi to everyone" she said. She really had missed being here at the pub, and although it may not have been the best place for a baby, she wouldn't be down long and she didn't really want to leave Keanu upstairs alone.