Chapter 431 - Marceline Avery Ⅱ (1/2)
A faint flush with a goofy grin can be seen on Evan Avery's face as recalls their trysts while at Beauxbatons until Marceline became pregnant near a month later. It was a bit of a scandal, yet, but in this manner none of their parents could protest the match. The two of them immediately left Beauxbatons to reside with his great-uncle and his wife. The two of them were taught by private tutors and maintained their studies until Marceline's fifth month of pregnancy. At which point, she'd grown rather weak and was forced to bed rest.
The midwife said that their yet unborn child was putting a severe strain on both Marceline's magic and body. And as such, suggested that for the time being, Marceline put her studies away. Marceline had obediently done so, but Evan understood that she was a bit depressed by said fact. Still he did his best to cheer her up by ensuring that she at least had plenty of books to which to read while she was stuck in bed.
The two of them had not left for England as they normally would have for there was a matter of their wedding to be held and a bride price to be paid. His father and mother were most displeased at his actions, despite both being secretly delighted at the idea of a grandchild so very early on. His father paid Mr. Bisset a more than ample bride price to cover Mr. Bisset's debts and still leave a small fortune behind to get the wizard back on his feet.
They would have married sooner, but Evan at least wanted Marceline to have a wedding with all the pompous she was due. And though they did not love each other, he deeply cared for her, and was profoundly grateful to her for accepting his suit. And so, the two of them married during Yule in a glorious feast that was full of drinks and laughter.
The only dark spot to that wonderful memory was the appearance of Damian Mulciber. The wretched bastard had been thrown out of Durmstrang for roughing up a poor girl. With great anger and guilt, Evan recalled his third year. He was angry at the time and had foolishly wanted to get even back at Rowan Prince by hexing her, but he never wanted to truly hurt her, nor much less commit such a foul act against her. But at least his only consolation now was that he'd never stooped so long and that Mulciber would never be admitted into another magical institution again.
Evan glances up the clock again and finds that the minute hand is only at the half-hour, there was still another half hour until midnight. Sighing, he runs a hand through his hair, before down his clammy face. He wondered if his great uncle and aunt were at the border yet?
The older couple had left Marceline and him alone at the Avery chateau believing that the young couple was due for one last private moment before the child was born. Taking the opportunity, his great-uncle and aunt with their grown children left early that very evening to visit a family friend in Italy. Wanting to enjoy the scenic route, the older couple left via an enchanted carpet towards their place of destination.
With it being later in the evening, Evan and Marceline had sat out in the gardens enjoying the sunset and the growing darker sky until twilight. The two of them were fond of each other and saw each other at least as good friends. Suddenly, Marceline's back stiffened causing him to glance at her in alarm. ”What is wrong?” Evan worriedly asked.
Marceline frowns, before merely shaking her head and in English says, ”It iz nothing, 'owever, I do need to go to the lavatory, pleaze 'elp me up.” She only spoke in English now as she wanted to improve her English, before they left for England, after the birth of her son. She did not want to be the cause of embarrassment for her husband nor his family, when they returned to his native country.
Evan had quickly helped his wife to her feet and escorted her to the nearest facilities. Some minutes later, Marceline had emerged rather red-faced, but he did not ask her the reason why. No doubt the subject would be embarrassing for the two of them.
Evan had then escorted Marceline to her bedroom to rest at her request before he retreated further down the corridor to read in his own bedroom. A loud shout of pain had sent him flying back to her bedroom an hour later. Marceline was hunched on her side and let out a pained moan, ”Zee babe iz coming!”
”You aren't due for at least two more weeks!” Evan said in a panic, before fear and terror gripped his heart. ”Aunt and Uncle have been gone for hours; they won't be able to make it back in time even if the message should reach them.”
”I know,” Marceline groaned. ”Zend for da Midwife.”
Rushing away in panic, Evan must admit he bellowed in terror for the house elves, who hurriedly appeared including his own nanny, Solia, who had been sent by his mother less than a week to be ready for the child's arrival.
A faint pop caused him to sigh in relief at seeing the figure of his childhood nanny house elf, Solia. An older female house elf, but not too old with a pug like nose, bat-like ears, and honey-colored almond eyes, Solia says, ”Master Solia comes! What is needed?”
”The baby is coming!” Evan blurted out in panic.
”Solia goes to get midwife!” Solia said as the other house elves also left to grab the healers and prepare the birthing chamber for the birth to take place.
Marceline let out a rather loud cry of pain-causing him to rush to her side. Foolishly unsure of what to do, Evans fidgets, and suddenly wishes his mother was here. She always seemed to know exactly what to do no matter how fraught the circumstances were.
Reaching over for his wife's hand, Evans finally says, ”Squeeze as hard as you want, I'll stay here right next to you.” Immediately he regretted his words as Marceline squeezed his hand hard enough to break. Grinding his teeth to keep himself from crying out in pain, he allowed her to do as she wished especially as she gave out another harsh cry of pain-causing him to almost let out a cry of his own.