Sammy, Don't Preach

[Claire Aurelious]

Claire Adkins had never really been over-emotional. Her typical smiling face had rarely fallen to the state it was now, as she stood outside of her best friends house, the rain pouring around her. She looked like a drowned rat in her dripping sweater. She shivered, her brown locks sticking to her face, and thought of how she ended up there. How she had only wanted Deme to love her. She was too young for any of this. Claire hadn't know how else to react when he began cheating on her. She just wanted the brunette all to herself. After all, he was the love of her life. Claire thought she would spend her days sitting in a rocking chair, on a porch with him. She supposed it was naive after watching her parents, to think that something like that could happen in real life. She sniffed, still not brave enough to knock quite yet. She was swallowed by sadness adn fear - her tears streaked to prove that her emotions had gotten the best of her. She felt as if she should be ashamed of the way she was behaving. She should be strong, she was an adult no after all She was out of school and living in her own apartment. She needed to grow up - but this was not the moment for her to do it in. And never was there a moment she should have to do it alone.

She thought back to the first night they lay together, after that awful fight. She wanted to keep him by her side, she knew it was the only way. What had she been waiting for anyways? She loved him, right? Why shouldn't she become his fully? How could she have known that it would lead to this moment. The blue eyed woman thought of his lips as they told her they loved her. As he told her he loved her. She felt a chill down her spine different than the one that the cold rain was giving her. She needed advice. Finally, her shaking fist knocked against the door. Claire's knees clattered in the rain, her skirt soaked. She had long given up on her umbralla, as her arms felt to weak to hold it up. When the door finally opened, Claire feel into the arms of the person she knew was behind it. Samuel Kaster. "Sammy," She sobbed. "I'm pregnant."

 

[Samual Kaster]

Samual was proud to say this his life was completely together. He and Hazel were married now, and he felt that married life was totally for him. He and Hazel never fought, and that had been something he was concerned about, seeing as how much he remembered his parents arguing, and how much his older siblings argued with their partners. But, it just seemed that it was the individuals, and not the marriage life itself, because he felt that he and Hazel were nothing but happy. Sometimes, he would get a little tired, but that was from work, and was to be expected. There was a lot of paperwork involved, especially since he was still an underling, and so he was given a lot of super boring stuff to do, but the prospects of being in his favourite job completely removed any animosity that the graduated Gryffindor may have felt. He smiled to himself as he pulled biscuits out of the oven, on the behest of Hazel, who was going to be going out in a few short minutes to spend their money, because she liked doing that. Sam wasn't entirely sure why she liked spending their money so much, but she really did. Sometimes it scared him.

He placed the plate on the counter, and sniffed. It smelt nice. Hazel was really good at baking, but he considered this a joint effort on their part. He pulled them out, therefore, he helped make them. He wasn't going to think about how Hazel literally did everything else, down to buying the ingredients, as that wasn't important. He had never made biscuits before, and he was very proud of his (joint) result. He looked out the window at the rain. He hoped Hazel would be okay, and not catch a cold or anything. He wandered to the hall and smiled, finding that she took a coat and umbrella. Of course she had, she was clever, she'd never forget stuff like that. His head tilted, however, when he thought he could make out the silhouette of something standing there. A bubble of excitement grew with in him. Visitors! In an attempt to act natural, he anxiously waited for them to knock, but it was killing him. It was raining outside for Merlin's sake, why would they not knock and come inside to the warmth of the house? He even had biscuits, and that was wafting through the place amazingly, making everything smell wonderful. He wanted nothing more than to tear open the door, and just invite them in. Etiquettes be damned.

He heard the knock. It was weak, a little frantic, but certainly there. He rushed for the door, took a few breaths before opening, and smiled brightly at the knocker. His smile faulted a little, however, when he realised that she was soaked to the bone. He caughter her and picked her up bride-style, before carrying her into the house and kicking the door closed with his foot. She was in tears, and he was not sure what he was supposed to do about it, and so he awkwardly stood in his hallway, looking down at her with concern. And then she opened her mouth, and told him what he assumed was making her upset. Personally, Samual would have found the news amazing, as he already wanted children. Hazel was dead-set against it, saying they were 'too young', and 'not financially stable enough', and when he (innocently) mentioned that they would probably be financially stable for a baby if she stopped shopping, she smacked him, and the conversation of babies stopped right there.

"Claire," he said, sort of beginning to nurse her in an attempt to calm her down. However, finding that it was beginning to get a little tiring at hold another full-grown human being in his arms, he sat down with her, and gave her a hug. "It's going to be okay. I promise."
​

 

[Claire Aurelious]

Claire shouldn't have been able to smell through her clogged nose. She was able to tell there was food, and the smell of cologne. She wasn't aware of much else though. In fact, it took her a moment or so to realize that Samuel was holding her in his arms. He had always been such a gentleman, he cared about Claire as if she was his sister. That was why she was so prepared to see him about any problem for anything. He was the only person she could trust honestly. She loved her parents, but if she told her recently alcoholic father that she was pregnant and unwed, he might actually kill her. As for her mother, she was still off with her new boyfriend - husband -whatever. It was as if she truly had no one but Deme and Sammy to count on. And Deme, she didn't know how he was going to react. He wasn't at home at that moment, and she had taken the home test just ten minutes ago. She shivered at the thought. She would have to make a doctor's appointment. She remembered reading that she couldn't trust them for 100% accuracy, but she knew that false positives were few and far between. More tears streamed from her eyes at that thought, and she clutched at his shirt.

Claire allowed Sam to take a seat with her in his arms, shaking too hard to resist. It was obvious to Hazel that they were just friends, but if Deme saw them together, even saw her talking to them, he would go into some sort of fit. This would seal the deal that she and Samuel shouldn't be friends for him, as they were in physical contact. Since she had laid with Deme she hadn't really seen Sam, as it seemed his possessiveness had increased. He loved her though, and she knew that. She didn't know how long that would last though, with her current condition.

After crying until she just couldn't, clutching his shirt, it seemed Claire may have calmed down enough to speak. She took in deep breaths, over and over again until she finally was able to stutter through a sentence. "S-Sam it won't be o-o-okay. I'm barely making e-ends meet!" She sobbed a few more times. "I don't know how to tell D-Deme. He's going to hate me. I don't know what we-went wrong." Her voice cracked and she sniffed between words, finding it increasingly difficult for her to breath. It was a wonder she hadn't passed out from the hyperventilation and inhaling of salty tears. At this point her entire mouth and parts of Samuel's shirt was covered in tears and stained. Her cheeks were red, and her eyes blood shot as she attempted to move off him and sit beside him. She needed to be independent, but upon moving it was obvious that she was shaky, and she was close to illness.
​

 

[Samual Kaster]

Claire was clearly devastated, and Samual could only partially understand why. From what he had been told, Claire was deliriously happy with her boyfriend, Deme or whatever his name was. Samual had only met him a few times, and had to admit that he was not fond of him like he generally was with people. He loved all of his other sister's partners, and he loved Danika, Jack's partner. But Deme seemed to rub him the wrong way. For starters, he never, ever came to any of Sammy's and Hazel's parties they held, with Claire making up some excuse for him. Samual would let it slide because he loved Claire, and if she was happy, then he would be happy for her, and Hazel always said to just trust in other people's happiness more often, so he did. Now, however, he regretted it. He should have pestered her more, and made sure that she was actually happy and not burying things like she tended to. He rubbed her back, trying to soothe her as she choked out her words weakly. He made a few mental notes to tell Hazel what he was about to promise right now, because if he forgot to do so, she would have a rather nasty surprise.

"Don't worry," he repeated, helping her get out of his lap. He sat on his knees in front of her, and pushed her hair out of her eyes, as it was beginning to get stuck to her face. "It will be okay. Everything will be okay, Claire." He summoned a tissue box, and gave it to her. "You can stay in our spare room," he explained. "I know Hazel won't mind. She's always complaining about the dust - and with someone in there, it won't get dusty anymore. And there's a bathroom there too, for some privacy, and it faces the backyard. I haven't done much there yet, but my sister, you know Lisa - the really tall blonde one that isn't Tess, she's going to plant some flowers there. you'll love it here." He held her hands gently, still smiling at her in an attempt to calm her down. "Claire, you will be fine, and so will Bubba. You can stay as long as you like, and Hazel and I can take care of you. And you can stay here and take care of Bubba, and our pet flobberworm." He inclined his head to a small tank in the lounge room, just visible through the door. "His name's Jorge." Hazel wouldn't let him keep a dog, and while he promised to take care of Jorge, he often found that Hazel had put food in there instead. "You can invite Deme over, and you can talk about it. But first, please try and breathe. Everything will be okay, I promise."
​

 

[Claire Aurelious]

Claire was silently thankful for Saamual's helpfulness, keeping her steady as she moved. He had always been so kind to her, even when she was a young, naive kid. She had always been such a pain in the neck, not to mention that misguided crush she had had on him for a short period of time. But now, they were best friends. Perhaps that was why she came to Sam before anyone else. He was always so level headed, when he needed to be anyways. That was why he was going to be a good father, and why he was going to be a great husband to Hazel. She wanted to think those happy thoughts, but she couldn't quite keep the thought out of her mind that she was pregnant. She couldn't have read the test wrong, could she have? No, it was a giant pink plus sign. That meant there was a bun in the oven. She held her own hands in her lab as her brunette friend helped to clear tear drenched hairs from her face. Claire took a tissue from him and began to listen, though his words were shocking and she knew what he offered was impossible.

Claire took in a few deep breaths, tears still falling from her blue eyes. She knew that she needed him to understand, but she wasn't sure how to make him do so. "Sammy, I can't just uproot Deme and stay here." she didn't even mention herself in that sentence. The petite woman knew that she should mention to him that Deme didn't like him, but she wasn't sure she could bring that up. She looked around, taking in their lovely home. Hazel and Sammy had made a life for themselves, meanwhile Claire was still living in a rather shoddy flat with her boyfriend who even after all this time didn't want to marry her it seemed. Then the sudden realization of what she needed to do next hit her. "Samual, I can't call him." For once in her life, Claire called Sam by his first name. She hoped he would realize the seriousness of this. "He's going to be mad at me, he's going to say this is my fault. it is my fault, I have to have done something wrong." Within a moment the brunette woman was on her feet and pacing, chewing on her nails once more. "I take my pill every day, on time, I'm responsible. I don't know how this could have happend. And we've only done anything ever once. Sam is it even possible? What did i do wrong? Deme is going to hate me." She couldn't pace anymore and dropped her her knees on the carpet, crying into her hands once more.


​

 

[Samual Kaster]

Samual had a feeling that Hazel would be made at him when she comes home. Hazel did not like Deme - nor did he - but while Samual would still decide that, for the sake of Claire, it would be best to welcome the guy into their home, Hazel was a lot more practical. She would much prefer Claire stay, and Deme never know that she was here. In fact, Samual would not mind that either. In fact, he had wondering whether Claire would go for that, but a large part of him knew that she would never consider doing something like that. She was far too loyal a person to do something like that. He gripped her hands gently, trying to warm them, and trying to give her a physical sense of the support that he was offering. "Claire, you can call him," he replied, smiling gently, feeling slightly uncomfortable at the use of his entire first name. It was almost like being full named when in trouble. "I will be right here the entire time. He can't do anything." And if he did, Samual was more than capable of handling someone like him. He didn't become an auror by baking biscuits for the interviewers and testers, after all. Behind his smile and gentle attitude, he was actually capable of some levels of magic that were useful in protection of others.

Samual sighed awkwardly. Hazel would be so much better at all of this, he was sure. She knew all about birth control and babies and all of that. he didn't spend his time looking deeply into that sort of stuff. "And it isn't all your fault, Claire. You didn't just go about falling pregnant on your own, after all. He helped." He stood up when she did, and watched her with his eyes as she began to fret and pace around the room. "Claire - I'm really sure it's possible. Nothing can be one hundred percent - Claire!" He rushed to her side as she dropped once more, and began sobbing. He rubbed her shoulders and finally broke away from her. "I'm getting Deme, and he can come here and comfort you. It's his life too, Claire, and he can get over himself." Samual was now beginning to get annoyed. Not at Claire, but certainly at Deme. Very much so at Deme. With gritted teeth, he contacted the loser and demanded that he get here. He knew where he was going. He'd been to the house before. He could apparate right over, or Samual was going to collect him himself. He clenched his fist and flared his nostrils silently, not wanting Claire to see. "Fine then," he responded, putting down the phone. He looked at Claire. "I'll be right back. Don't more, it'll be okay." He had to get Deme himself, it seemed.
​

 

[Deme Aurelious]

Deme had not even realised that Claire was gone, really. He was far too busy relaxing, and ignoring the world under a pair of headphones that were much too loud. He lay spread eagle upon their bed, his head and hips wiggling to the music with his eyes closed. He simply assumed that Claire had found her way back. She was probably cleaning or cooking - he didn't care, really. He was tired after a hard day of doing nothing, and he felt that it was time to do even more nothing, and he planned to do it for the next couple of days he had off. He frowned when he felt something gently glide across his cheek, but chose to ignore it. However, when the motion became a little rougher, he swiped at it and grumbled, presuming it was Claire come to annoy him about something. "Claire, f**k off," he growled, rolling over to ignore her. However, he began glaring under his eyelids as he was poked in the back. He rolled around and opened his eyes, locking them with that curly-haired friend of Claire's, who had his wand drawn, and pointed precariously at his face. Deme frowned, and removed his headphones to stare at Samual.

"Yeah?" His mouth hung open lazily, and he rolled his eyes as he was instructed to move. "Nice try, Auror-boy. You're like, a goody-two-shoes. I'd like to see you actually do something." The man before him then smiled brightly, something that often made Deme sick with annoyance, but he continued to watch as the wand glided away from his face, to a position a little lower, and much more important to Deme. His hands covered his groin protectively as he took in the 'promise' that followed. "I'll get shoes."</COLOR></FONT>

*​

<FONT font="times new roman"><COLOR color="black">After tagalong-apparating to Samual's home, Deme rolled his eyes as he was reminded that this was, in deed, Samual's home, and if he should do anything to it or its inhabitants, they would revisit Samual's promise. "Whatever," he muttered, doubting that the man would actually do anything. But he decided to play it safe. He wasn't even sure what he was doing here, but he followed Samual regardless, and eventually found Claire. He stared at her apathetically, his arms across his chest. "What the f**k's wrong with you?"

 

[Claire Aurelious]

Claire didn't want Samuel to leave, her sobs prevented her from saying anything though. It was quiet in the house after the crack or apparation dissipated. There she was, sitting on her knees in the middle of his living area. What was she going to do after this? Sammy said he´d support her of course, but she didn't want to put him out of house and home for her. Her hands clutched her stomach ever so gently at the thought of life growing in her. She remembered what her mother said about finding she was pregnant with Claire ' not that her mother´s words mattered much to her ' but in this time the excitement that her mother felt was meant to be calming. Instead Claire cried more, as she knew that she could not take care of this baby. Her parents had been married, and had jobs by the time Claire was born. They were prepared for anything. This brunette, a small pile of tears on carpet, was not even prepared to own a pet. She had been putting off doing such things until she was stable with money. It would help if Deme pitched in more, but she knew he worked hard. He was probably doing so as she sat there pathetically.

Finally Claire heard them come back. She had no time to straighten her skirt, hair, or anything. She knew he would not want her to present herself like this after all. She should have just told him at home. Suffered his yelling there instead of in front of Sammy. She knew that this would do nothing to lighten Sammy's mood about her current situation after all. She didn't bother turning until she heard Deme address her. She wanted to answer with confidence, to tell him and not cry or break down. Claire took the first steps to doing so by peeling herself off the ground. Her knees wobbled and she smoothed down her skirt which shook with her hands. With tear-stained cheeks she turned to face Deme, unsure of what to say at first. For a few moments her mouth just hung open a bit. She finally found her courage, glancing over to Samuel. Even though she knew her friend was there for support she knew that she couldn't do this in front of him. She didn't need him to hate Deme. So she reached out and with a force she didn't realize she had pulled Deme to a side room, giving Samuel a knowing look. A look that told him she needed to do this on her own. Once inside she silenced the room with her wand and turned to the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with.

"Deme, I'm pregnant."
​

 

[Deme Aurelious]

This was bullsh*t. Deme stared at the scene before him, his mess of a girlfriend. Apparently she was pregnant? He stared down at her, finding the concept utterly ridiculous. Claire was an emotional wreck, and everything was her fault. She always stuffed things up, and always left a mess for him to clean up. She could barely take care of herself, let alone him and a baby. He almost snorted at her, but restrained himself for reasons he was not sure. Perhaps it was the fact that she was looking far too pathetic to actually be joking with him. This made him annoyed. Very annoyed. She was single-handedly trying to ruin his life. first it was getting upset over him talking and dating other girls, now it was this. She was purposefully trying to force him to commit more than he wanted, and he had conceded to her wishes the first couple of times, but now was just too far. Now in order to fulfil her fantasies, she went and got pregnant. It probably wasn't even his. His eyes fell to the door, imagining Samual outside feeling smug and proud. It was probably his child. His fists flexed at his sides at the thought of touching Claire after Samual had. He felt physically ill and returned his eyes to hers, ignoring the tears.

"You w***e," he replied. "It's his, isn't it? That's why he brought me here. He knocked you up and he doesn't want his pretty little wife finding out. Well guess what, Claire." He leant down to her, their noses just off from touching. "I'm not taking the fall for him, or for you. You're on your own."

 

[Claire Aurelious]

Claire's eyes went from full of pain to full of shock at the word Deme used. After the silence in the room he chose to call her that. The word she'd called her own mother when fighting. At first the brunette didn't understand, and stood there with tiny fists clenched. However, as he continued his speech, Claire became increasingly upset. Her face showed a hundred emotions as she attempted to gather her thoughts into one giant ball before letting them go. She hadn't meant to get so angry. Claire had never been so upset in her life before - not even when her parents divorced. Not even when she caught Deme cheating on her. His cheating got them into this mess. She would never have slept with him before marriage if she hadn't thought she was going to lose him. With all of that pent of rage, Claire struck an open hand across Deme's cheek. "You're an idiot!" She shouted at him, her voice cracking at the volume she used.

"I love you, and only you. I have only ever kissed, held hands, or touched you and you know that Deme! Samuel is not what i want it's you and it's always been you. This baby is yours! It's... ours. I didn't want this either. I'm not ready! We can't undo it now though, the bun's cooking." With that she turned away from him. "I can't do this without you. Please don't leave me to do this on my own." She swallowed thickly before making her way to him, and though she knew he was upset with her, she wrapped her arms around him, needing to be close to the man who she loved.
​

 

[Deme Aurelious]

Deme had never been struck in his life, and to have his woman do that was infuriating, yet sobering at the same time. He was, however, beyond angry, and had gone right into the world of downright livid. How dare she do that to him, and then claim to love him, and want to be with him. He was about to yell at her, but when she hugged him, he threw his hands up in the air in an attempt to discourage her from touching him. He growled, considering his options. They were mostly supported by his adoptive parents, but he was almost sure that if Claire had this baby, that support would drop. They were really good people, but morale. They would never accept this, he was sure. And then there was Claire herself. She would probably use this against him for the rest of his life, wanting money and having him take the kid - he had a life to lead. It would be simpler to just marry her of something and turn her into a housewife, and do his own thing that way. He could be whatever he wanted - in fact, nothing would really change at all. It would also keep his parents off his back, as they'd assume their boy was finally becoming serious about his life. Slowly, his arms fell to her shoulders, and he began to cry into her hair.

"Claire," he whispered, his hand running through her brown hair gently. "I... I don't know what I was saying. I'm so sorry." He wasn't, but it was what she wanted to hear, and so he would say it. His future was at stake. "I get so... so angry, and I say things." He sniffled, and took a deep breath. "I love you, Claire. Please, don't leave me - I... I need you. This is impromptu, but..." He got down on one knee, holding her hand gently. "Claire... will you... will you marry me? Please?"

 

[Claire Aurelious]

Claire was not an easily discouraged person. That could be obvious from the very first time she met Deme, back when she was still in school at Hogwarts New Zealand. She kept herself pressed tightly to him, waiting for him to continue yelling. However, he didn't. She could feel a faint wetness on the top of her head, her hair having dried a bit from the rain earlier. He was crying, and it would be an understatement to say that Claire was shocked. She didn't move from him as he spoke, slowly calming down from the rage she had been in before. Her heart thudded against her chest, as he moved away and got down on one knee. After so long together, so many nights feeling so lonely while he slept next to her. Now she was going to be his wife? Claire squealed loudly and lent down to kiss him on the mouth. "Yes, Deme, a thousand times yes! I love you!" She said before bursting out of the room, effectively breaking the charm as she did. She ran to Samuel and hugged him as well in excitement, nearly screaming as she did.

"Sammy you were right to go get him!" She pulled away with excitement and happiness in her voice. "We're getting married!" She nearly shouted, looking back at Deme with blue eyes now filled with new hope and happiness. "We're getting married, and I'm having his child! Everything is going to be alright! Aren't you so happy, Sammy. You can be my man of honor and everything! It'll be great." Claire rambled on about the wedding, unbeknownst to her that there was something more sinister in the way Deme chose to go about the wedding.
​

 

[Samual Kaster]

He allowed Claire to handle this herself, but remained at the door, pacing. He was tempted many times to just attempt to remove the silencing charm Claire used, but that would be violating their trust. Probably. He sighed shakily, finding himself to be rather anxious about what could potentially be going down in there. he felt like he should be in there defending Claire, because she was more naïve than he was, and Deme just seemed to be able to wrap her around his finger and get her to follow him anywhere and everywhere. He was bad for her, and Hazel agreed with him. Neither of them liked Deme, and seeing as Hazel strongly disliked Deme, Sammy was completely willing to admit that he kind of hated the guy. If Hazel didn't trust someone, Samual wouldn't either.

He paused in his pacing as the door opened and Claire erupted out and hugged him. He hugged her back, at first thinking something was wrong, and then realised that everything was wrong. His eyes were wide. "Wh-what?!" What had happened in there? "Married?!" He choked on the word, utterly speechless as Claire went on about the wedding that she and Deme would have, all the while staring at the smirking Deme. Surely he wouldn't be fired for hexing him or something, right? He looked at Claire, and forced a painfully weak smile onto his face. "Yay..."
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The End.​