Six Months In

[Alana Finch]

When Alana woke up from her dream, it took her a moment to figure out where she was. Even though her daughter was sleeping better now, most of the night, Alana's body had grown accustomed to the wake ups and she often simply woke up in the middle of the night. Usually, she simply stayed in bed until sleep overtook her once more and, on other occasions, she'd head to the living room, well away from the family to read. It wasn't abnormal for her to be awakened some hours later by Chaos urging her to go back to bed. Stretching, Alana listened to the babbling coming from the room just down the hall. Eris' nursery. The idea that she was a mother now was still foreign to her, especially when she considered that just a few years ago, she'd been Head Girl, thoughts of becoming a journalist floating through her mind. Now, her thoughts were mostly filled considering when she'd have time to do laundry in between feedings and keeping the baby from rolling onto her stomach at night.

Alana's hand rested on her stomach, the extra weight she'd carried, nearly all gone now, breast feeding and the tasks of managing a baby and work kept her active enough that the pounds slipped away all on their own. With a yawn, Alana got off the bed and moved towards the door to see how Chaos was getting along. She padded along, barefoot, her hands running through her hair, not a worry in mind. They were married and had a baby, so his family was finally leaving them alone, and Chaos had been keeping himself out of trouble as well. Peeking into the nursery, Alana found Eris in her crib, her feet in the air, held up by her small little hands. "Hey, baby girl. Where's your papa?" she asked, a smile on her face as she leaned against the railing and looked down at her beautiful baby. The baby's violet eyes stared back and then she gave Alana that smile she'd come to love. She reached out a finger, caressing Eris' chubby cheeks.

 

[Chaos Zhefarovich]

Fatherhood. That was a word that Chaos Zhefarovich never would have thought that he would be good at, but as it turns out, his daughter had him wrapped around her tiny fingers. It wasn’t a hard task for her to accomplish. Chaos never thought that he would care about something so much, but as it turned out, he did. That was why he was retrieving a box of disposable diapers he bought yesterday from the basement, walking them upstairs toward the nursery. Chaos remained still in his pajama pants, house shoes and a loose white shirt, stained from the various flavors of food that he spilled all over himself from time to time. His hair was a mess, but that was absolutely normal for him. Chaos walked upstairs to the second story, walking past the master bedroom to see that Alana was not in it. Chaos turned to head toward the nursery to see Alana playing with Eris’ and her chubby cheeks. He had no idea where her cheeks came from (which he swore up and down he did not have them but definitely did when he was an infant). Chaos walked over to the changing station and set the box down so that they were easy to grab.

Boy, things would be so much easier with magic. Chaos turned around and walked over to stand next to Alana. “I got some more diapers from downstairs. I got another box from the store yesterday.” Chaos making light conversation was foreign on him, and didn’t sound at all natural. He looked down at their daughter, and briefly wondered if this was how Havoc felt about his children. He doubted it. Chaos placed a hand on Alana’s shoulder, giving her a light show of affection, which came normal to him now. Chaos had calmed down considerably since Eris came into his life. He almost seemed normal, until someone at his job set off his temper. His temper was still up there, as was his prejudice beliefs. However, living without a wand taught him many things, as have Alana and their small bundle. Chaos didn’t think he could deal with another child right now. “Do you work today?” Chaos said, trying to fight back a yawn since he barely slept the previous night.
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[Alana Finch]

"I think I hear papa" she continued speaking to the baby, happy that she was meeting her milestones and growing. She'd been born early and the Healers had warned her and Chaos that it could cause issues for Eris. But both she and Eris seemed to have recovered just fine. "Look, there he is" she cooed as he came in with a huge box. Alana was grateful. For her, it was quick work with magic, and she knew Chaos knew that too, yet he did it anyway. Alana had noticed his effort since Eris had been born, helping her after her surgery when moving had been near impossible, helping her on the nights he knew she had to work early, and making purchases without her prompting. "Thank you" she said, her gaze still on the baby. She felt the weight on her shoulder and didn't freeze as she might have in the past. She still was glad when he moved it away.

Nodding her head, Alana continued to pay attention to Eris as she spoke. "Yea, but not until the afternoon. I think I'll be really busy this weekend" she explained. Finally, she turned her attention to Chaos, her red eyes taking him in. He looked a mess, hair all over the place, pajamas clearly lived in and well lived in at that. "You look like hell, Chaos" she laughed, teasing him slightly. He'd been a lot more serene since Eris had come into their lives. It was as if she'd given him some sort of focus, and he lavished her with attention whenever they were in the same space. Alana would be lying if she said it wasn't endearing and kind of hot even. "It's kinda hot though" she said, her voice dropping even lower, as she met his gaze.

 

[Chaos Zhefarovich]

Chaos could not resist the opening. “Busy over the weekend at a Divination shop? That’s a funny joke.” He paused for a moment, as he gazed toward his wife. “Just don’t overload yourself. Use magic whenever possible.” The last thing he wanted was his wife to be lifting big boxes and carrying them. If Chaos didn’t have his restaurant, and if he liked the subject, he would have offered his services, but he was sure that the professor would have turned him down immediately. Oh well. At least during this stage of their relationship, it seemed like they were very good at teasing each other, which purple eyes narrowed slightly when she commented on his appearance. He looked over his clothing, before sighing, shaking his head. She was right. He looked like hell. But, his gaze went back to her, blinking a few times in shock when she said that it was kinda hot. So, looking like a train wreck was hot? There were stains everywhere! “If you think this is hot, can’t imagine what you would feel if I wore the shirt with baby vomit stains on it.” Chaos did like what he heard though. That was one hell of a compliment, especially when he was still working on trying to wake up, despite being up for a while.
​

 

[Alana Finch]

“Yea, yea” Alana muttered, used to his jests about her job, though she was secretly pleased about being worried over. It was an endearing quality for Chaos, his mother hen like worry over his daughter and now Alana. She hadn’t known it was there until she became pregnant, but it hadn’t left yet, and she was beginning to suspect it wouldn’t. “Ewww…gross” she groaned, a slight laugh on her lips at his words. “That’s what I’d think” she added as she swayed her way over to her husband, the baby making motions towards her papa, her babbling more insistent as he appeared. Eris was a daddy’s girl through and through, and she had her father wrapped around her little finger already. As the weight of the baby was lifted from her hands, Alana moved towards the baby’s wardrobe, looking inside for an outfit for her to wear for the day. “How about this?” Alana smirked as she turned around, holding up a ‘Here comes trouble’ onesie, the saying just as suited to anyone in the room as it was to the baby it was meant for. “I really should get a t-shirt with this on it for you” she added, continuing the playful banter.

 

[Chaos Zhefarovich]

Chaos chuckled at what she said that she would think. She approached him and he gently lifted Eris into his arms, while carrying her against his chest. She stared up at him like she was in wonder. Chaos smiled as he held Eris, while Alana picked out an outfit for her. Chaos finally looked up as Alana searched. She finally said something as she held up a onesie. It definitely fit Eris, considering who her parents were. Especially her dad. “Looks like Eris to me.” Chaos walked over to Alana so that they can dress her, before setting the small child down on the changing table. He started to remove Eris’ current outfit to place her into the next one. “Then we need to get one as a family, Alana. It suits you too,” Chaos said cheekily, with a smirk dancing on his lips. The banter was enjoyable and he definitely liked it. He definitely liked it more than arguing, that was for sure.
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[Alana Finch]

Alana hung back, watching Chaos as he changed the baby. She smacked his arm playfully with the back of her hand. "I am not trouble" she replied, though she was smirking too. Alana knew very well she was a pain in the ass. Looking as adorable as she'd expected, Eris seemed content in her new clothes, new diaper, and with her parents watching her. "We made a pretty cute kid" she admitted slowly, her arm snaking around his waist as she leaned into his side, her other hand coming to rest on his stomach. It still felt strange to show Chaos affection, but every day, it was getting easier and easier to do, Alana found. Especially when she saw him with Eris. Chaos was considered many, many bad things outside of this home, and sometimes inside when he made her mad. But for the most part, he did all the right things as a husband. He provided for them well, working hard to keep his temper at his job. He was a great father, doting and responsible when it came to his daughter. And though she didn't admit it to him as often as she should, he was a good husband. Chaos was loyal, he was present, and they were learning a lot together about marriage. Alana would have never guessed any of those things, though his own parents had been married for ages so he'd had good role models.

 

[Chaos Zhefarovich]

Chaos chuckled at the smack on his arm. The playful banter was definitely the highlight of his day. She said that she was not trouble, but from the corner of his eye, he could see that she was smirking. Oh she knew. But, Chaos was not going to say anything to counter it, since it could get out of hand. Instead, he merely smiled, as Eris showed that she was happy in her new outfit, clean and fresh. Alana commented about how they made a cute kid, Chaos decided to say something that he knew the answer to. “We did… How about another?” Chaos had a suggestive look on his face, before it cracked into a playful smirk. Chaos was not ready for another anytime soon. Eris was a handful as is. She demanded love and attention all the time. But, Eris brought out a side of Chaos that was not seen before. Chaos almost seemed like a normal man. Sure, his temper was through the roof, but it was nonexistent since their daughter was born. Chaos lifted Eris into his arms, and turned to face Alana. “I’m thinking of taking her to meet with other family members her age. Havoc has one or two, but rather avoid those…” Chaos rolled his eyes, since the relationship between the twins completely disintegrated since Havoc’s goal was to replace Chaos with his own son, and to get rid of Alana.
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[Alana Finch]

Alana looked up at him, her eyes narrowing at the look on his face though she was still in a pleasant mood. "Haha. No" she deadpanned. Truth be told, she wasn't entirely against having another child with Chaos, not now that she'd seen him as a father. Not like she had been before Eris. She just wasn't ready for all of that. She'd only just managed to get her body back, and she was not planning to relinquish it any time soon. Alana knew that it was vain to think such a thing, but she didn't care. The woman stepped away from Chaos as he lifted Eris back into his arms. She'd brought a block with her and was shaking it around in her fist. Alana kept hoping she'd smack Chaos with it so she could laugh at him, but Eris instead began chewing on the soft toy as her parents continued to speak. Alana listened to Chaos and nodded her head, quite agreeing about wanting to keep Eris away from her uncle and his children. "Two?" she replied, surprised that Havoc had managed to father another child. "Or you can ask your parents to supervise a playdate...and we can spend the day together?" she said quietly, almost shyly.