How Severus Spends His Summer Hols

AN: We’d like to wish Happy Holidays to all of our readers. Everyone please be safe if you are traveling.

The term daddy stitch refers to a procedure that is done at the woman's or man's request after the woman has given birth. Giving birth can literally tear the vagina to shreds. The daddy stitch is a courtesy FOR THE GUY so that he can enjoy having sex with a woman whose vagina is once again tight.

Severus woke early on Thanksgiving morning, the sounds of people talking in his kitchen bringing him out of his slumber. Still a bit disoriented, he rolled over and felt the cold sheets that lined the Harry sized depression in the bed next to him. Squinting slightly, he looked at the clock on the bedside table and decided he could go back to sleep for a short while, unnoticed by his husband and Davy out in the kitchen.

The door to the bedroom opened and Severus groaned; sleep would not be reclaimed that morning.

"Husband... are you awake?" Harry asked as he brought in a cup of steaming tea, setting it down on the bedside table. "I have some things that need to be done if you wouldn't mind."

Severus opened one black eye and stared at his husband. "What manner of things need to be seen to at this time of the morning on a holiday?" He inhaled the scent of the strong tea and sighed as he blinked and opened both eyes to watch his husband intently as he sat on the bed.

"We don't have a dining room set Severus," Harry said, the pitch of his voice rising as he couldn't believe he'd not even thought of that simple fact until just now. "I called Grant and he said that if you would like to come get it, he'd have Damon help you load up theirs in the truck."

Severus ran a hand over his face as he groaned. He sat up and nodded. A place to sit and eat would be a good thing; not everyone would fit at their tiny kitchen table. That's it, he'd have to get up early tomorrow for Black Friday. They were going shopping for more furniture. He quirked his eyebrow at Harry and smirked. "And for this all I've to have for breakfast is tea?"

Harry fidgeted for a moment, biting his thumbnail. "We've a pie that kind of crumbled when we baked it yesterday, would you like a piece of that?" he asked, hoping his husband wasn't going to ask for a cooked breakfast. "Damon likes pie for breakfast." If Damon liked it, Harry would use the fact to his advantage.

Severus hung his head for a moment, trying not to laugh aloud. His whole body shook as he failed miserably and began laughing like a mad man.

Harry grinned and heaved himself off the bed. "Pie it is then," he said brightly. "Your clothes are on the dresser. I think Grant is waiting."

Harry went back to the kitchen where he found Davy busy measuring out ingredients for fresh bread.

"Is he going to get the table?" Davy asked as he looked up while Harry cut a wedge of strawberry rhubarb pie and placed it on a plate with a fork.

Harry nodded. "Yes." He shook his head. "He should be here in a mo. He wanted something for breakfast." Pouring a cup of coffee as well, Harry set the plate on the table with the fragrant brew.

He washed his hands and looked at Davy again. "Right, now what?"

Davy grinned and pushed the large mixing bowl to Harry. "Here, do you want to knead the dough?" he asked while he wiped his hands on a dishtowel. "We'll pull the turkey out of the brine in an hour and have it in the oven soon after."
After talking on Tuesday evening, he and Harry had decided on an upscale dinner to serve everyone. The recurring theme it seemed was that Harry wanted to outdo Grant and Davy would do every thing he could to help him achieve that goal.

Harry nodded and sprinkled some flour on the counter. He dumped the bread dough out and began to pull the stretchy dough and fold it over, like Davy had shown him. They had experimented with some dishes on Gregory and Severus last night and all turned out well. He continued to work the dough as the door opened and Severus strode into the room.

Severus walked over to his husband and pressed a kiss to his spiky hair then sat at the table. He eyed the pie, seeing nothing wrong with the piece then picked up his fork. He carefully bit into the reddish purple pie and groaned. He chewed slowly, savouring the sweet treat. "Harry, Davy. This is excellent." He took a sip of his coffee and dipped back into the pie.

Davy grinned and poured himself a cup of strong coffee. "Harry did most of it, I just talked him through it. We did have to bake a spare for dinner today, so there is plenty if you'd like a second slice."

Davy turned back to the squash he'd be baking shortly and pulled one of his knives from the knife kit he'd kept from while in culinary school. "Harry should really have better knives than what he has... I mean, he'd be safer since better ones will hold a good edge."

Harry looked up at his husband and smiled happily, his hands still working the dough tirelessly. "We're making braided bread rolls. Do you think anyone will like them? They are honey wheat with chopped pecans added." He couldn't remember anyone mentioning Grant ever making anything like that before.

Severus nodded and finished his pie. "I'll just go ahead and get the table. I want to save room for everything." He refilled his coffee cup and looked at Davy. "The knives are easy to replace, I would have the name of a decent set if you please." He turned to Harry as he sipped the coffee and watched his husband’s arms work the dough.

"They sound brilliant, Harry. Grandmother Wolffe and her nurse will be arriving around noon and don't let me forget to retrieve Jason."

"Jason is coming?" Harry asked, the last he'd spoken to the other man, Jason hadn't decided whether or not to show up.

Setting the dough to rise in a bowl, Harry washed his hands and covered the bowl before wrapping his arms around his husband's waist. "Thank you for getting the table for us," he murmured and then stood on his tiptoes to offer his mouth to the other man.

"I hope him to be. I think the three of you would get along quite well once you got to know each other. He accepted and told me yesterday at the shop that if I hadn't received a phone call by eleven then he would come." Severus bent to capture Harry's mouth; his hands ran over Harry's back and down to his bum. "Not a problem, Harry. We’ll shop tomorrow for one of our own."

Gently breaking the kiss, he cupped Harry's face and stroked his cheeks. "I am very proud of you, Harry." He said softly. "I want you to eat something as well." He looked over at Davy. "That includes you also Davy. I don't mean to push, however Gregory informed me of you getting involved in cooking and not eating, so I am just passing on his reminder."

Davy pointed to a small bowl with several boiled eggs in it. "I've got my snacks, I got the lecture before I left the apartment this morning," he laughed. He was just thrilled to have been able to boil the eggs in the kitchen of their new apartment.

Harry nodded and poured himself a bowl of cereal before sitting down at the table. "Do you think Damon has everything ready?"

Severus nodded at Davy then turned to his husband, holding up one finger. He left the room and returned shortly, pulling on his jacket and gloves. He zipped up the leather jacket and smiled at his husband. "If not, he's in for a rude awakening.” He bent and pressed a kiss to Harry's forehead and smiled at Davy. “Be careful gentleman, I will return shortly. Harry, ring me up if Jason calls.” He walked out the back door.

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Grant pulled the turkey he'd been roasting since four am out of the oven to baste once more, before he turned to the sweet potatoes he still needed to peel before baking. He'd been up since three thirty that morning cooking so Harry would be off the hook with dinner. Feeling bad because he'd been unable to walk his son-in-law through his first holiday meal, he'd done what he felt he should while Damon and Max's little Sarah slept in the other room.

He looked down at Baby under his feet and smiled while he bent down with a bit of cooked liver for her. "Here Baby, Daddy has a yummy for you. Eat it up and then let's go wake Papa."

Baby barked sharply and gently took the bit of savory from her Daddy. She licked the tips of his fingers and wagged her little stump of a tail then followed him out of the kitchen. She pranced over to the couch and placed her paws on he cushion looking at the small red headed girl, sleeping on her Poppa's chest. She barked twice in rapid succession then wagged her tail again.

Grant sat down on his chair, leaning over to gently nudge Damon. "Damon, honey, I need you to get up now. Sev's coming over for the dining room set and I need you to help him with it," he said softly, shaking the man's shoulder and not trying to wake up Sarah. The little girl had cried for thirty minutes last night for her daddy before Damon got up and brought her into the living room to sleep on the sofa with him.

Damon groaned and opened one eye. "Is it time to go eat at Sev's?" He closed his eyes and ran a hand over Sarah's head and back as he settled down in to the couch again. "Wake us when it's time to go." he said sleepily and yawned.

"Damon, please... I need your help. I told Harry when he called this morning frantic because they didn't have a table, that they could use ours. Come on, please, Sev will be here any minute to get it and I'm busy," Grant begged as he shook his husband's arm. "Come on or I'll end up burning something."

Damon opened his eyes. "You are cooking? Why are you cooking?" He carefully sat up, holding Sarah to his chest. He cradled her for a moment then laid her down on the pillow he had just vacated. Standing, he covered her with a fleece throw and ran a hand over the top of the red hair. Reaching down, he patted the puppy’s head too.

He wrapped his arm around Grant's and dragged him into the kitchen. "Talk. Food. Why? Now."

Grant poured his husband his first cup of coffee when Damon turned him loose, setting it on the table with a fresh biscuit and some honey. He picked up a knife and bowl of potatoes he still needed to peel before he sat down as well.

"Harry asked if he could borrow our dining room set and I told him yes, to have Sev pick it up. I need you to help him when he gets here," Grant explained, his hands making short work of the bowl of potatoes.

Damon stared at his husband. "Thank you but that's not what I meant. I'll go take the leaves out in a moment but what I want to know is why are you cooking Thanksgiving dinner." he sipped his coffee and looked at his husband. "I can smell the turkey and pie Grant."

"Well of course, I'm doing it. Do you really think Harry can do this by himself?" Grant asked with a shake of his head. "He called the other day all upset and I've not been able to go over and help him, so I figured I'd make this to help him out if things... don't go as they should." It seemed perfectly reasonable to him.

Damon snorted and shook his head. "Grant Wolffe, I can't believe you just said that. That boy has worked really hard on this. How would you like it if Mom showed up at the house on a holiday with a second dinner in her car?" He eyed his husband. "Put those potatoes down right now."

Grant set the potatoes down and looked at his husband. "I know it sounds mean, but the boy doesn't cook well, you know that, he needs supervision and I wasn't there to help him."

Damon stood and walked over to his husband. "Grant, the first time Mom let you into her kitchen she hovered over you and you hated it with a passion. Now, I am guessing that your first meal wasn't all that grand either. However you got the chance to make your mistakes and learn from them didn't you?" He wasn't about to tell his husband he knew Davy had been helping the boy the entire time. "I think you are making a mistake trying to do this and you should relax. Now if you want to continue and leave all that here so we'll have something to come home and eat that's fine. But not one bit of the food you cooked will be going to Harry's and Sev's. Do you understand me?"

Grant opened his mouth to protest, he'd been up for hours cooking already, but when he looked up into Damon's face, he closed his mouth and set the knife on the table. "Yes sir, I understand," he mumbled, his head bowed and his gaze lowered. Well, if the food turned out to give them all food poisoning, he'd be vindicated.

Damon kissed the top of Grant's head and smiled at him. "I know you thought you were helping but Harry's got to do this for himself." He tipped Grant's face up and shook his head. "You'll get over it Injun. You don't have to be in control of the kitchen all the time."

He captured Grant's mouth then pulled away as he heard a car door slam. "That'll be Sev. Send him on in to the dining room. We'll try to be quiet but you might want to wake Sarah or take her back to the bedroom."

Grant nodded and quickly left to pick up Sarah and take her into the bedroom.

Severus walked into the kitchen of his parents and stopped just inside the doorway, sniffing the air. "What is going on?" he asked as he looked at Damon sitting at the table. "Did you decide to not come over?" He stayed at the door and looked around at what was obviously Grant's holiday meal in the making.

Damon shook his head. "Grant decided to help Harry." He sipped his coffee and picked up the biscuit broke it in half then shoved part of it in his mouth. After swallowing, he said. "We'll still be there. Mom's nurse just called making certain of the directions. “She all excited about being at you all's place. She said she had a dream about the baby," he shook his head and slathered the other half of the biscuit with the elderberry jelly he got from Jason.

"To take over you mean," Severus sighed as he finally came into the room and sat down next to Damon. "Looks as though he nearly has it all finished, doesn't he?"

Damon nodded apologetically. "I'm sorry, Sev. I had no idea he was doing it. But I've already talked with him and not one dish will be going to the Overlook." He stood and got the plate of biscuits and offered one to Severus then sat back down. "How's it going over there this morning?"

"The house smells incredible. Davy and Harry spent most of yesterday baking the desserts. It seems Harry is really taking a liking to cooking," Severus said proudly. "I had a bit of a pie they'd made and I've never tasted anything so good. I'm afraid Grant may have his knickers in a twist over this." Chuckling, Severus reached out and took one of the biscuits, pausing only to slather it in honey before taking a bite and chewing happily.

Damon grinned and poured Severus a cup of coffee. "Serve him right then. I'm glad he and Davy are getting on so well. Is Jason coming as well? He mentioned it the other day when I stopped to set up the pulley for the well. He seemed a little nervous and yet excited at the same time."

Severus sipped at the bitter aromatic brew and then nodded. "He said he'd come, so I shall hold him to it. I'll pick him up shortly before we eat, perhaps sooner to keep him from changing his mind. When are you and Grant arriving?"

Damon finished off his biscuit and shrugged. "Whenever. I am going to try and keep Grant out of Harry's way. He doesn’t need one bossy Injun and a three year old running about." He looked at Severus. "Unless you want us to come with now?"

Standing outside the kitchen door, Grant took a deep breath and walked in to face Severus and Damon. "Good morning Sev, I'm glad you're here to pick up the table," he said as he tried to ignore the food that was cooking in the kitchen.

Severus nodded at Grant and stood. "Yes, I suppose I should get that loaded." He walked out of the kitchen but stopped next to Grant. "It smells good in here but the kitchen at the Overlook smells divine."

Grant looked down after Severus passed, after thinking about what Damon had said, he knew he'd overstepped horribly on Harry's day.

"I... I’m sorry,” he said softly and turned to go back to the bedroom. Grant decided he'd simply stay home and choke down the meal he'd made.

Severus grabbed Grant's arm and shook his head. "No, I understand why you did so." He squeezed his shoulder gently and walked out.

"Would he like the fine china to use as well? Or do you have a set?" Grant asked softly.

Severus walked back into the kitchen with two chairs. "We've a set. He picked one out yesterday while shopping with Davy. Thank you." He stopped and pressed a kiss to Grant's head. "I thank you for thinking of Harry but I promise you won't be disappointed in him. He's tried very hard to impress you."

Grant only nodded before he went to check on the little girl he could hear moving in the other room. "We'll see you soon then."

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Davy pulled the large cooler the turkey was being brined in, into the kitchen and opened the lid, revealing the large bird. "Harry, I really think this is going to be wonderful. Do you have the roasting pan I brought over ready?"

Harry nodded and pulled the heavy pan out of the cabinet. He lined it with foil and settled the rack inside, then moved it to the table. "Where do you want it?"

Nodding to one of the kitchen chairs, Davy said as he pointed with his chin. "Put it there and push it over to me so I don't have to go very far with this thing," he instructed as he got his hands around the wet, slippery main course.

Harry moved the pan to the chair and slid it across the floor to Davy. He held tightly to the pan so it wouldn't move. "Alright, I've got it. Bung the bird in."

With a muttered curse and a few giggles, Davy soon had the bird in the oven and was sitting with Harry at the table, a bowl of potatoes to peel between them.

"I really hope Gregory can join us to eat," he said as he tossed a peeled spud into another bowl. He knew his husband was at the hospital in case Allie delivered.

Harry nodded. "Shall we begin a take away basket for them if not? I know Sev wanted to take something up for Max." He tossed the peeled potato in the bowl and picked up another. "You think she'll deliver soon? Has Gregory said anything about the baby?"

Davy nodded; he'd been planning on taking Gregory something anyhow if he wasn't able to make it. "The baby is doing well from what he's said. I saw her the other day, but she was asleep. I bet she's ready for the baby to be born," he said as he picked up another potato. "I was going to take him a plate later."

Harry nodded and got up to check the garlic they had been roasting for the potatoes. "I would be too. I heard little Sarah weigh almost nine pounds when she was born. Max told me the next baby after the first could be larger than the first." He shivered slightly then sat back down.

"Allie's not all that bad I suppose but she's really given Max a lot of trouble since she's been pregnant." He leaned forward. "She went off on us all the last time I'd made dinner for everyone. Threw Grant's china at Max. It was awful."

Davy shook his head and clucked his tongue, he'd only met the woman briefly and she'd seemed a miserable person. "I hope everything goes alright. I think Greg has a feeling the baby will come sometime in the next thirty-six hours. He gets feelings, you know?" Davy asked as he took the potatoes to the sink to wash before putting them in a pan to boil.

Harry stood and pressed a hand to his back, stretching slightly then moved to wash his hands. "Hope so as well. I'm scared to death when it comes my time."

Chatting amiably, the two passed the time cooking, Harry learning new skills while Davy passed on what he knew.

"If you slice the sweet potatoes thinner before we blanch them, they'll lie easier in the tart pan," Davy said as he watched Harry wield one of his knives. "Careful, they are sharper than your own." Davy greased the tart pan for the sweet potato tart and then set it down to begin the water for blanching.

Harry nodded and carefully sliced the potato, folding his fingers back out of the way. "So after blanching, layer them in the pan, spreading the butter and sugar mix between each layer of potatoes?" He handed the thin slices to Davy and started on another potato. "How much left have we to do?"

Davy nodded as he set a small carton of heavy cream down within Harry's reach. "Don't forget to add cream between the layers as well," he paused and looked around the spacious kitchen.

The bread was raising, the potatoes peeled and setting in water, the squash ready to be oiled and stuffed, the turkey in the oven, the pies baked, sacks of hard to find fresh green beans waiting to be cleaned and trimmed, and the giblets from the bird simmering in a pan of broth on the stove.

"I think we're doing alright on time Harry. We need to roast the nuts for the stuffing and green beans and get those two dishes ready, but we don't need them just yet. You are doing awesome," Davy said with an encouraging smile. Harry had wanted to do most of the actual cooking and the other man didn't mind doing the scut work for him. In fact, he rather enjoyed prep work.

The door to the kitchen opened before Harry could answer him and Severus backed in carrying the tabletop with Damon on the other end, Baby danced around their feet barking. The noises attracted the attention of Bezoar and Asphodel and they added their barking to the tiny dog's.

"Grab her before she trips them." Harry pointed to Baby and set down the knife and he herded his two dachshunds into the laundry room. He then propped open the door to the kitchen and tried to hurry and open up the dining room door.

Davy grabbed the tiny dog, wincing as her sharp little teeth made contact with the fleshy pad of his thumb several times. "Oww, you little brat, keep it up and it's into the oven with you," he muttered, holding the tiny body out from him as he took her to the laundry room and quickly stuffed her in with the dachshunds.

"Sorry Davy." Damon yelled as he and Severus set down the table in the dining room. He came back through and looked into the laundry room at Baby. "Shame on you, biting Davy when he tried to keep you from being a grease spot."

The little dog growled at him and they faced off before she turned her tail towards Damon and stalked over to cuddle up with Bezoar. Damon shook his head and turned to Davy. "Did she break the skin? Let me see."

Davy looked at his thumb for a moment, less than impressed with the tiny little imprints, but no blood was seeping from his war wounds. "I'm alright, thank you. She's just a little cranky, isn't she?" he laughed as he went to wash his hands before resuming working on the meal.

Severus looked down at Harry, a smile playing over his stern features. "Are you enjoying yourself, love? Have you been resting when you need to?" he asked as he ran his thumb over a smear of flour on one of Harry's cheeks.

Harry nodded and smiled, leaning into Severus thumb. "We've almost finished. I'll sit in a mo, I want to get a few other things done first." he toed up to kiss his husband and then turned to Davy. "Watch this. She did that to me the other day." He pulled on the man's sleeve and took him over to the laundry room then looked up at Damon.

Damon looked at Davy's finger then nodded and whistled sharply. Baby ran to the gate closing off the laundry room and stared up at Damon. "Tell Davy you are sorry."

Baby growled and Damon frowned at her. "Do it right. Tell Davy you are sorry."

Baby put her front paws out and bent her head to the ground, tail in the air. She whined up at them pitifully then cut her eyes at Damon. He shook his head and tossed her a treat from his jacket. "Good girl. You behave now."

Baby jumped up and down for a few seconds and barked then went back to settle next to Bezoar once more.

Davy laughed at the trick and shook his head. "She's a smart one, isn't she?" he asked as watched the tiny dog.

Severus just shook his head. "Seems to me, you've got her spoiled Da," he chuckled as he followed Harry to the countertop and reached over him to nick a few walnuts from a bowl.

Damon nodded. "That's Grant's fault." He dug in his jacket again, wrapped his fingers around his cigarettes and then nodded to them walking out the door to light up a smoke.

Harry stared at his husband then smacked his hand. "No nicking the food before it's done." He shoved Severus towards the door. "Get the rest of the table and chairs in here. I've still to set the table and it has to be wiped down before I can do even that."

Pulling a face at his small husband, Severus made for the door muttering about slave drivers. Joining Damon out by his truck, he leaned against the bed of it in the morning sunshine.

"Grant's not doing well with letting Harry do this on his own, is he?" Severus asked softly. He knew the small Lakhota had reigned unchallenged in the kitchen for years at the holidays. The fact he'd made an entire separate meal before dawn this morning was a little disturbing to Severus.

Damon took a long drag and shook his head. "He feels bad for not being around to help Harry but yeah. He's got to learn though. He went through the same thing with mom for several years." He snorted. "I think it's an in-law thing." He reached into the bed of the truck and pulled out a chair, passing it to Severus.

"Harry and Davy seem to be getting along better than you expected?"

Severus took the chair, looked at it for a moment and then put it on the ground before sitting on it. "They seem to be. I know Harry's been a little jealous of Davy, but I think he's seeing that he's not got anything to be concerned over. Davy got here sometime early this morning and they've been at it since before I got up. Harry needs friends, I know he's been lonely without his other friends," he said as he tipped his face up to the cold sunshine.

"How's Mother Wolffe doing?" he asked, knowing the woman's suffering was getting harder on Damon.

Damon pulled down two more chairs and sat in one, finishing his cigarette. He cleared his throat. "Celia says she has good days and bad. She's been talking to my Da alot lately." He sighed and shook his head. "She's really excited about Reganne though. This will be her first great grandbaby. She's really taken a shine to Harry as well."

Not sure of what he should say, Severus changed tack a bit in the conversation. "When will Mourning Dove be arriving? I can't imagine what it will be like with her here to tell us what needs to be done," he chuckled, thinking of the feisty little woman in South Dakota. "Is Grant nervous about her moving here?"

Damon laughed and shook his head. "She was supposed to be here this week but wanted to stay for another week or so. Something about there being a bingo tournament and she wanted to play." He stood and picked up the chairs, brushing the snow and dirt off. "Let's get this done so I can get back to Grant and make certain he hasn't begun cooking again. Merlin knows I'll have to beat him if he has."

Severus laughed as he stood up, pulling another chair out of the back of the truck as he did so. "You know, I never imagined him doing this," he chuckled. "I thought me not being with a woman, I'd not have the trouble with a mother-in law."

Damon stared at Severus, shaking his head. "This is Grant you are speaking of, right? You trying to tell me you don't remember six years ago when Mom made Thanksgiving dinner after the accident? Even as bad off as he was, he still couldn't let her alone."

Laughing, Severus nodded; he could well remember how Marion had chased Grant out of the kitchen repeatedly, each time threatening to hex him into next week. The little man just hated giving up the control he had in the lives of his family.

"I really hope he and Harry don't have at each other," Severus said as he walked back into the house with the chairs, pausing to kiss Harry on the top of the head.

Harry turned, "Harry and who have what out and why? I've done all morning and I just want to eat it now." He lifted his hand, offering Severus a spoon with the steaming broth they had just made for the gravy. "Careful... tell me if it needs something."

Severus carefully sampled the bite, savouring it for a moment before he nodded his head. "That is very good Harry, but if it were me, I think I would add just a sprinkle of pepper to it. Let Damon taste it, I think it's as good if not better than Grant's actually."

Damon looked at Severus and quirked an eyebrow. "What kind of trouble are you trying to get me into, boy?" He looked at Davy. "I'll try it but I'm not saying a damned thing. I am Switzerland when it comes to the kitchen wars. I like to live." He turned to Harry, waiting for the man to let him try the dish.

Getting a clean spoon, Harry dipped up a bit and held it out for Damon to taste. Smiling impishly, he waited. "So... is it better?"

Damon blew across the spoon then licked it, tasting the thick and creamy sauce. "It's as good as I have tasted before." He said neutrally as he eyed Harry and shook his head. "I'd had a lot of practice, so you can't trick me, Bit. You did a good job."

There was a quiet cough from the back door. "That's alright Damon. I'd like to know as well," Grant said, carrying Sarah on his hip. He'd decided after the little girl had woken up to head over to help Harry in the kitchen.

Damon grinned and shook his head. "Oh no, you don't." He kissed his husband and then ruffled Sarah's hair. "It was very good and that's all I'll say on the matter." He smiled at Grant. "I was just on my way back to get you but since you are here we can go so I can shower and dress properly." He was going to try his damnedest to keep Grant out of Harry's kitchen as diplomatically as possible.

Grant smiled sweetly at his husband as he walked past him to where Harry was working. "You go on Damon, I've had my shower and Sarah had a bath, we're good," he said as he leaned over a bowl and peered critically into the contents.

"What is this?" he asked curiously, not quite ready to poke his finger into it.

Harry was mixing pecans, brown sugar, flour and butter to make the crumble topping for the sweet potato tart. "Topping for the sweet potatoes." He moved so he was between Grant and the dishes on the counter. "Baby bit Davy." He said trying to distract the older man.

"Where are the marshmallows?" Grant asked, as he opened a cupboard and began to look. "Damon, would you take Baby home, I don't think she's going to do well around everyone."

Davy watched the exchange and stepped back, he wanted no part of the tension that was growing in the kitchen.

"What needs to be done Harry?" Grant asked as he finally found a half bag of miniature marshmallows.

Harry frowned. "Marshmallows are for cocoa." He took the bag from Grant returning them to the cabinet. "I've this under control. Why don't you go and watch the parade with Sarah and Sev?"

Grant shook his head. "I don't watch that," he said as he moved to the stove and began lifting lids and poking at things with a spoon.

Damon cleared his throat. He couldn't watch this. "Grant. I need your help at the house to gather up the baskets so we can take food to Max and Allie later. Now."

Grant turned and looked at his husband. "The baskets and the containers are all in the back seat of the car. I have it under control, don't worry," he said, his voice having a slight edge of hardness to it. He looked over to where Davy was sitting and pursed his lips slightly, not happy to have been replaced.

Damon gave his husband a look and grabbed his arm pulling him close, hissing in his ear. "Let the boy alone... Marion." He eyed Grant. "You didn't like it then, don't do it to Harry now. You understand me? We've already talked about this."

Grant swallowed and closed his eyes, he'd not meant to come in as an overbearing queen, but apparently that was what had happened. "Yes sir," he whispered, as he willed the stiffness out of his body, giving over to his husband's will.

"Harry, do you have any dishes that I could do up for you?" Grant asked softly still staring down at Damon's boots.

Harry swallowed and looked at his husband then Damon. He'd stood up to Grant then Damon had stood up for him. "Um..." Biting his lip, he turned to the near-empty sink. He and Davy had been washing as they went since his kitchen still wasn't fully stocked. "Would you like to set the table for me? I want to show you the pattern Sev and I picked out." He bit his lip and reached under the sink, grabbing the wood polish and a cloth to clean the table then pointed to a stack of dishes on the table. "There. You can carry those for me if you would."

Subdued and quiet, Grant moved to pick up the dishes and followed Harry into the dining room.

Severus watched them go and blew out the breath he'd been holding. "That could have been very ugly," he said quietly to Damon as Davy got up and went back to work on the meal.

"No shit." Damon grinned at Severus. "Guess that means you get to go see if your new china survives." He turned and headed for the door. "I'll be back in a few and I'll pick up Jason as well." He slammed the door as he left in a rush.

Jason was nearly to the point of the Wolffe driveway, he was trying to ride his old bicycle up to the Overlook and was beginning to wonder if he'd make it or not. His legs were tired from pedaling his bike so far and he was getting hot as well. He had strapped the crock-pot of squirrel dumplings to his carrier rack on the back fender and was hoping nothing had spilled out along the way.

As he crossed over the low water bridge just after the Wolffe's driveway a red Mustang came down the road at him, forcing him to move into the dead weeds.

Damon spied the cyclist as he turned into his drive then slammed on the brakes, slinging gravel all over the place. He looked up into the rear-view mirror and shook his head. Sure enough it was Jason; someone needed to beat that boy. Backing up the Mustang, he stopped and rolled down the window. "What are you doing, Jason? You are going to kill yourself." He opened the door and got out of the car.

Jason dropped his feet to the ground and held the bike up. "Hello Mister Wolffe, I'm just coming up to the Snapes'. The Professor told me I could join you all today for dinner," he said as he grinned, red faced at the older man. "That's still alright, isn't it?" The possibility that plans had been changed hadn't occurred to Jason until that moment.

Jason hung his head for a moment, trying to catch his breath in the cold mountain air. "I thought I'd just ride up, you know?"

Damon chuckled and shook his head. "Hell yes, it’s all right, son. I was just on my way to pick you up." He ran his eyes over the heaving young man and shook his head. "You alright? All that riding can't be good for that baby. Get over here and sit a spell in the car."

Jason shook his head, putting a foot on one of the pedals. "I can't, if I'm going to get there before dark, I should get moving," he muttered as he started to push off once more. He was determined to get his contribution to Harry's meal there without it spilling everywhere.

"Oh no you don't." Damon put out a hand and grabbed Jason's arm. "Look, Jason. You agreed to let me help and I can't let you ride all that way. Come up to the house for fifteen minutes, and then we'll go together. Please."

Jason nodded, relieved, he hadn't been sure he'd been able to make it. "Alright. Let me just move my bike to the edge of your driveway and take the food off," he said as he swung a shaky leg over the back tire to dismount. "I don't know if I'd have made it or not."

Damon held on to the bike and helped Jason dismount. He took the crock from him and moved them over to the car. Settling Jason in the front, he popped the truck and placed the bicycle in the back then got back in and drove up to the house. He turned off the car and turned to face Jason. "No, I want you to come inside and have a glass of tea or something and settle down. Watch TV. I've got to shower then we'll head on over to Sev's place."

He eyed the younger man and shook his head. "Are you certain you are alright? Do we need to call Doctor Masters?" He knew Jason saw Max but the OB/GYN doc was on call this weekend.

"I'm alright, thank you," Jason said as he leaned back in the front seat. "I think I may have bitten off more than I could chew there." He felt utterly drained and weak as a kitten at the moment and couldn't get his legs to stop shaking.

"I am going to have to get a car soon," he mumbled as Damon opened his door for him.

Damon pursed his lips as he looked down at Jason. The younger man didn't look good. "Are you certain you are alright? I think we need to call someone." He took a deep breath. "Don't bitch, just brace yourself." He bent and scooped Jason up in his arms then toted him to the porch, gingerly setting the man down on the bench just outside the door. "Yup, we're calling somebody, just as soon as I get this door open."

Jason didn't protest at being carried, only let his head loll against Damon's shoulder and then slumping down on the bench. " 'm okay," he mumbled.

"I seriously doubt that." Damon opened the door then picked Jason up again and carried him into the house and through to the living room. He set him down on the couch then went to the kitchen, wetting down a wash cloth and preparing a glass of tea. "Here." He sat down in his chair and eyed the boy, picking up the phone and calling the Overlook first.

Grant was the closest to the phone when it rang and simply picked it up automatically. "Hello?" he answered as he handed Sarah a sippee cup of milk and then led her back to the living room to watch the parade.

"Grant?" Damon sat up. "Listen up, Pet. I picked up Jason on the side of the road. He tried riding all the way out to Sev's and he don't look too good. I don't want to take him to the ER unless I have to."

"He was what?" Grant asked as he turned the sound down on the television and shushed Sarah's protests. "What's he doing now?"

Damon eyed Jason. The boy was pale under his still reddened cheeks. His eyes were closed but his breathing had slowed. He slowly sipped the tea and bathed the back of his neck with the washcloth. "Just sitting on the couch. I gave him some tea and a washcloth. His face is a bit red and pale at the same time."

"Do you want me to come home?" Grant asked as he got up to find Severus so he could borrow the man's truck.

"Yes," Damon said and nodded at the same time. "You have to stop him from popping on the couch."

"I'll be right there," Grant said as he hung the phone up and shouted. "Sev!"

Severus ran into the living room from the bedroom, towel wrapped around his waist and wand in hand. He'd taken a page from Damon's book and climbed into the shower to refresh himself after moving the furniture around. "What?"

"I need the keys to your truck, I need to get home now," Grant said as he shifted on his feet. "Can Davy or Harry keep an eye on Sarah for me?"

Severus stared at him. "What happened? Is Damon alright?" He looked up as Davy and Harry came into the living room. He gripped his towel tighter and lowered his wand.

"It's not Damon, its Jason," Grant said softly, trying to keep from upsetting Harry. "I need to get home, where are your keys?"

Severus frowned and motioned Grant to follow him. "My keys are in my jeans." he looked up at Harry. "Go on and finish dinner Harry. Davy could you keep an eye on Sarah please."

Harry watched his husband and bit his lip in worry. "Yes Husband," he said as he went back to the kitchen and Davy went to sit with Sarah.

Grant followed Severus back to the bedroom. "I'll call when I get there," he said as he held his hand out. "Damon sounded worried."

Severus nodded. "Are you certain you can drive my truck or would you rather Harry's Jeep?" He bent and picked up the discarded jeans, rummaging through the pockets.

"It doesn't matter, whichever I can get out of the driveway the quickest," Grant said as waited. "Your employee thought he could ride his bike out here, Damon has him at the house now. Says he not looking very good."

Severus rolled his eyes. "If he is alright I am going to beat him." He handed his keys to grant. "The big black one is the door and ignition key as well." He pressed a kiss to Grant's cheek. "Take care of him for me and let me know if there's anything you need. I'll set up a cauldron in the kitchen."

Grant smiled as he took the keys, and headed out the door. He made it home in record time, quickly going in the back door of their house.

"Damon! Damon, I'm here," he called out as he shrugged his jacket off and went further into the house.

"In here, Pet." Damon called out as he stood. He hadn't left the younger man but had him laid out of the couch and propped his feet up. The boy's colour hadn't improved although his breathing had leveled out.

Grant came into the living room, pulling up the coffee table to sit on while he looked at Jason. "How are you feeling Jason? Any pain?" he asked as he picked up the young man's wrist to take his pulse.

"Damon, would you get you blood pressure cuff please? I need to check his pressure."

Damon nodded and headed for the bedroom.

Jason opened his eyes and looked up at Grant. "Oh, Doctor Wolffe." He struggled to sit up. "No, no pain. Just really feel weak." He sat up and rubbed the back of his neck, looking at the floor. "I tried to tell him I was fine but he wouldn't listen to me."

Grant smiled, he well knew how protective Damon was of anyone expecting a child. "I know, he is a force unto himself some days," he murmured, winking at Jason and then smiling up at his husband.

"Jason, are you feeling the baby move?" Grant asked as he lifted the young man's sweater and gently palpated his belly.

Jason grunted and nodded. "Yeah, but the baby usually sleeps during the day. So it's not moving now."

"Would you drink a bit of juice or soda for me, so we can see if he wakes up?" Grant asked as he looked up to Damon and motioned toward the kitchen with his head.

"Damon, would you mind bringing a little glass of something sweet?" Grant asked his husband, wanting to reassure the older man that Jason was alright and that it wasn't like it had been with him.

Damon handed him the blood pressure cuff and nodded. "I gave him sweet tea earlier." He grunted at Grant then moved to the kitchen to get a glass of juice.
He returned and sat down in his chair placing the glass down next to Grant's leg. "Are they alright?" he asked softly.

Grant patted Damon's hand and then gave the juice to Jason. "Drink up for me and let's see what we see. Would you like a bit of privacy so you don't feel like a bug under glass?" Grant asked; he wanted to take Damon into the other room and reassure him.

"Don't know if this will work but I'll try it." Jason eyed the older men then nodded. He rubbed his stomach and began to drink the juice.

"We'll be right through there if you need anything Jason," Grant said as he pointed down the short hallway to where their bedroom was. He stood; smiling down at the young man, sure that he was alright.

"Damon, come on, let's let him be for a bit," Grant said as he took his husband's hand and began to lead him back to the bedroom. "You can take your shower, alright?"

Damon looked back to the living room as Grant led him away. "Are you certain he's alright?" He eyed Grant, searching his face for answers.

@@@@@@@

Jason waited until Damon and Grant were out of sight then set the glass down. He stripped off his shirt and stood, pacing slowly in front of the couch. Softly, he began to sing and rub his stomach. "All my life, I prayed for someone like you."

His stomach began to roll and he smiled and continued to sing. "And I thank god that I finally found you." He pressed his hand to his stomach as a small foot kicked him then wiped his face. "Hey little one, thought I’d done us some real damage there.”

@@@@@@@

Grant sat his husband at the foot of their bed and sank to his knees in front of the man. He took Damon's hands in his own and gave them a gentle squeeze.

"I think he's alright baby, he just overdid it. If the baby doesn't start moving in the next few minutes, I'll call Max," Grant murmured, his dark eyes watching Damon's worried face.

"Are you alright?" he asked softly as he brought Damon's hands up to his lips so he could kiss the man's fingers.

Damon closed his eyes and nodded. "He was so pale..." He shook his head and sighed. "Thanks for coming."

Grant nodded and kissed the strong fingers once more. "Like I was," he whispered. "I'll always come when you call."

Damon nodded and squeezed Grant's hands. He opened his eyes and looked at Grant then leaned forward and kissed him softly. He let go of Grant's hands and stood. "I'll be in the shower. Come and tell me as soon as you know."

Grant scooted back to give Damon room and then got to his feet, leaving the bedroom. He made a bit of noise to alert Jason that he was entering the living room.

"How are things going Jason?" he asked as he came back to sit on the edge of his chair, smiling at the younger man.

Jason smirked and lifted his shirt then poked his stomach. The pale flesh rolled across his stomach in a wave. He lowered his shirt and shook his head, not meeting Grant's eyes. "I tried to tell him. No one ever listens to me though."

Grant patted Jason's knee and sighed. "Damon's always leery when he thinks a pregnant person may be distressed. He wasn't trying to overstep boundaries with you, it's just history worrying him."

"Did you have breakfast this morning?" Grant asked as he picked up the empty juice glass.

"I know he's trying to help but I don't want to count on it too often." Jason said softly. He shook his head and looked up sheepishly. "No, I got busy and forgot about it."

Grant took the measure of the young man and spoke softly. "Are you worried you'll be left high and dry again if you count on us?" He took Jason's hand and pulled him gently to his feet. "Come on to the kitchen with me."

Jason frowned but followed the older man to the kitchen. "I don't like charity, Doctor Wolffe. You all have done a lot already and I don't want you to think I expect more." He stared at Grant. "Not everyone in this town is a generous as you, your husband and the Professor have been."

Grant sat the young man down at the kitchen table and sighed. Some days he'd like to take vinegar to all the wagging tongues in this little town. He'd been at the mercy of the town gossips several times and once Damon had had to step in.
"This isn't charity Jason, get that notion right out of your head," the small man said as he quickly made a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, putting it on a plate in front of Jason. "You should tell those old cows to take a flying leap."

An image of his mother and aunt flying out the window suddenly struck Jason and he snorted. "Thank you, Doctor Wolffe. I have given back as good as I have gotten. They'll never know this baby." He picked up his sandwich and bit into it to keep his mouth shut. Why was it when in the presence of these people who had been so kind did he feel propelled to tell them everything? He chewed slowly savouring the different taste. He'd been eating ramen noodles for too long. He'd have to spring for some peanut butter next time he went to the store.

Grant made himself a half of sandwich and looked around his kitchen at the mess that was still left after he'd cooked his Thanksgiving meal at the crack of dawn that morning. "Do you like turkey?" he asked as he took a bite of his own sandwich.

Jason nodded, as he wondered why the man had asked the question. "Yeah, if it's done right. My mother's always left a little something to be desired." He finished off the sandwich and sighed. "Thanks again, Doctor Wolffe. I feel better." He rubbed his stomach. "Baby thanks you as well."

Grant got up and poured them both a glass of milk before he sat back down. "I was wondering if you could do me a favour."

Jason took a long drink of the milk and nodded. "I'll do my best."

"Would you take some of what I cooked home with you later on?" Grant asked sheepishly as he made a half-hearted motion behind him at the sink full of dishes.

Jason turned and looked at the sink. He looked back at Grant, eyes wide. "Oh gods, Harry's cooking really is as bad as Mrs. Sorens' said, isn’t it?" he blurted out then clapped a hand over his mouth.

Grant shook his head ashamed. "No... I just thought in my infinite amount of misplaced wisdom that I'd make a meal to take over just in case. He's got it under control though. He didn't need me," he said dejectedly.

"You were trying to help." Jason said helpfully. "My mom's done that to my sister-in-law before, right after Ryan got married."

"Ryan is your brother?" Grant asked as he reached out, picked up one of the cookies he’d baked and stuffed it in his mouth. He didn't know much about the boy's family, only what Damon had told him and that wasn't much.

Jason made a face and nodded slowly. "Unfortunately. He and Janice equal the pride and joy of the Summers of Wheeling." He said snootily. "I'm the black sheep secret no one talks about any longer."

Grant laughed at that. "You and I share the same title then. My mother didn't have anything to do with me after I married Damon, not for a good fifteen years. Even now she acts like Damon is something she'd like to scrape off her shoe sometimes."

Jason bit his lip and shook his head. "I don't care if she never talks to me again. She'll never know my child. I refuse to subject him or her to my family."

Grant nodded, he'd felt much the same way about his family for years and wouldn't preach to the young man. "Well then, I'd like to volunteer to be some part of the baby's future family if you wouldn't mind too terribly," he offered as he refilled Jason's glass and pushed the cookie plate to him.

Jason reached out to pick up a cookie then stopped. He eyed Grant, suspiciously. "Why? Why would you want to do that?" he placed his hand back in his lap and played with the hem of his worn out t-shirt. "You don't want this Summers to sully your family."

Grant smiled and only pushed the plate closer to him. "No one should be alone Jason. If your family can't see what a wonderful, intelligent and proud young man you are, then it is entirely their loss. I would very much like to be a friend to you, someone that you feel comfortable in coming to if you need something," he said gently.

Listening to the sound of the water running in the bathroom, Grant leaned back in his chair and looked at the young man. "I know what it's like to be an outcast here," he said softly.

Jason cut his eyes at Grant and nodded but didn't say anything. He could tell the older man was of possibly mixed heritage just by the colour of his hair and skin. He looked very androgynous and almost feminine. Jason gasped and looked up at Grant. "You have it too, don't you?"

Grant nodded. "If you mean Fleymann's, yes, I have it as well. Echo had a heyday with me when I first arrived. Damon was still in Vietnam at the time. Look at it this way, you've got some things going for you that I didn't," Grant said as he looked towards the door to make certain Damon was still back in the bedroom, it wouldn't do for him to come in on this conversation.

Jason snorted. "If you mean being out then I must disagree with you. No one's going to want me when they find out what I got. Especially after the baby is born." He played with his t-shirt and spoke low again. "I've been waiting to see what it is and pick a name, just in case. I don't want to get my hopes up that Todd will change but it's there for the baby."

"You mean when they find out you have Fleymann's?" Grant asked as he picked up his glass of milk and sipped from it. "I think you're wrong there. And what I meant was that you are white."

Jason shrugged. "I suppose but that didn't save me in my family's case. They know I'm white and they knew about the Fleymann's." He bit his lip and shook his head. "I don't want to talk about this anymore," he said softly

Grant nodded and spokes softly. "That's alright, I still think your family are a bunch of idiots for turning their backs on you." He shrugged and reached out to pat Jason's hand. "Anyhow, the offer stands that we'd like to be there for you and the baby. I hope you like turkey."

Jason nodded, he'd think about it. "I do. I made some squirrel dumplings to bring along. The Professor said I could."

Grant's eyes lit up. "Squirrel dumplings?" he asked, feeling his mouth begin to water.

"I haven't had those in years, probably since before you were born," he sighed softly. "Damon doesn't hunt squirrels and I have just been too busy. Don't be upset if I set that right next to my plate and slap anyone that gets too close."

Jason nodded and grinned. "That's because he's out there feeding them, I think. I've seen him only I didn't know it was him at the time." He blushed. "I guess Harry's cooking really is as bad as Mrs. Sorens said then, huh?"

Grant shook his head, ashamed as he looked at the sink full of dirty dishes and the pies that were set out to cool. "No... I just thought in my infinite amount of misplaced wisdom that I'd make a meal to take over just in case. He's got it under control though. He didn't need me," he said dejectedly.

Jason looked at Grant. "So, why aren't you enjoying it? I know I would be. Merlin, if I didn't have to cook I'd be happy to sit back and let someone else do it for me." He leaned back in his chair and rubbed his stomach.

Grant chuckled as he watched the younger man. "Because I'm a cranky old queen, I suppose," he laughed. "I've been doing Damon's holiday meals since he retired, and before that I was learning at Mother Wolffe's knee just how her baby boy likes his turkey to be just so."

Grant paused for a moment to think and then laughed. "And I know how my boy likes his turkey cooked as well and I'm just certain no one else can do it right."

Jason nodded and was about to say something when he spotted Damon over Grant's shoulder. Grinning, he leaned forward. "So you don't want anyone cooking for him or are you afraid that Harry'll do it better?"

Grant didn't even hesitate before he spoke. "I'm afraid no one will need me any more," he said sadly.

Damon frowned and shook his head. He walked up behind Grant and bent, wrapping his arms around the small man. "Gossiping, I see. Jason, don’t believe a word he tells you about me. I am innocent of all charges I tell you." he pressed a kiss tot he top of Grant's head and squeezed him tightly.

Grant closed his eyes and let his husband hold him for a moment, swallowing back the tears that had been threatening to fall. "I only tell them the true things about you, it isn't my fault if it makes you out to be Superman," he joked softly.

Jason watched the couple and smiled, wishing that at some point in his life, he might have someone that would love him like that and not run. "Can I help you with carrying anything to the car?"

"Everything's ready to go. I just have to take your bicycle out of the Stang." Damon stood and rummaged in his pockets, nodding as he found what he was looking for then gestured to them. "There's food to be eat. I for one am starving to death." He rubbed his near flat stomach. "I'm wasting away can't you tell?" He opened the door and bowed to them, sweeping an imaginary hat off his head. "You carriages await, gentlemen."

Grant stood and motioned for Jason to go on out, he looked back over his shoulder to his husband and smiled. "Don't forget your lighter Damon."

Jason went to the car, and lifted the lid of the open trunk, pulling his bicycle out and setting it by one of the trees.

Damon narrowed his eyes and shook his head. "See, I still need you for something." He said softly then pulled Grant into his arms and kissed him properly.

Pulling away from the kiss after a moment, Grant looked up into his husband's blue eyes and bit his lower lip. "I'm sorry for how I behaved over there, I'll make sure I don't do it again," he said softly. "This is Harry's day to shine."

Damon smiled as he stroked Grant's cheek, shaking his head. "I know you are darling. Besides, there's always Christmas, Pet."

"I'd forgotten about that," Grant said with a smile and then thought of something. "What if Davy wants to make Christmas dinner?"

Damon groaned and closed his eyes. "That's it, we are going out for Christmas dinner." He swatted Grant's behind and pushed him out the door. "We have over a month to decided. You all can fight it out over dinner tonight."

@@@@@@

Severus was sitting in the living room, watching Sarah and listening to Harry and Davy talking in the kitchen, learning more about the other man the longer he sat and eavesdropped.

@@@@@

"Okay Harry, now just finely chop the garlic and onion for the dressing," Davy instructed as he sat to one side on the kitchen stool from the corner. "What was Hogwarts like?"

Harry turned sliced the onion then stacked it again dicing it in the opposite direction. "Amazing. It's a large castle and there are secret passages and rooms. They had wonderful feasts and I enjoyed some of my classes. It used to be my home."

"You lived there too?" Davy asked as he thought of the school he'd attended growing up. "Try dicing them a bit finer if you can. Use the eight inch chef's knife, it’s a little easier than the one you have now."

Davy shifted his weight on the stool and popped a few more nuts in his mouth, chewing them thoughtfully.

Harry rinsed the knife he was using and rolled out the bag of knives to retrieve the one Davy had spoken of. He began chopping the onions again. "Yes, it was a boarding school. We'd board a train in London and the trip would take all day. You could go home at Christmas and Easter Hols but I never did. I'd rather been at Hogwarts."

"Mason's wasn't like that at all," Davy said, leaning back. "We only went for the day, like a normal school, you know? What grades did you have there? I mean, did you go kindergarten through your senior year?" He was curious about Hogwarts. Davy had known Severus taught there, but the man had never spoken of it at any length.

Harry frowned. "I went to public schools until I was eleven. The British school system is different than the American one, I think. Hogwarts was seven years. By then you were of legal age to do magic and then if you wanted when you left you could go on to Uni or get a job." He turned to look at Davy. "Why do you ask?"

"I was just curious what it was like growing up there. It seems like everything is so much more hidden there then it is here," Davy said and then tried to explain what it had been like for him.

"Mason Educational Complex is in Chicago, on the north side. If I remember right, that is where kids from several different states attend. If you are a local, you don't stay in the dorms, you just bus in every morning. I started when I was five and left when I was seventeen," he began and then blew his breath out. "Sorry, didn't mean to bore you."

Harry grinned and finished with the onions. "No it's quite alright. It's nice to hear how my daughter will go through school." He turned and waddled over tot he table, sitting. He grabbed some of the nuts and took a long drink of Kool-Aid from his glass. "It's very secretive in the UK. Most children are home schooled until they go off to Hogwarts. There were children from all over at Hogwarts too."

He scratched his head. "I never understood why though we all had to gather in London to take the train." He looked at Davy. "The Ministry there tries hard to keep things under wraps and their laws are very antiquated. Marriage between same sex partners was forbidden at Hogwarts so that's why I told Severus I wanted to stay here with him."

Davy joined Harry at the table, pouring himself a glass of the sugar free juice he'd brought with him. "You know, it's not easy being gay here either... well I shouldn't say that. Gregory and I got married during the mass wedding a year ago in Boston. At least married by Muggle standards, we've been registered in the Wizarding books for about five years now."

"Do you have many communities like this in England? You know there's more than just Echo here, right?" he asked Harry, smiling as he inhaled the smells of their dinner cooking.

Harry shook his head. "No I didn't. I've only seen Echo, Sturgis and the reservation where Grant grew up." He sipped his drink then took a sniff like Davy had. "Merlin, that smells wonderful. How much longer?" he turned to Davy again and smiled. "There's no place like this in Britain although there is an all Wizarding village next to Hogwarts. It's called Hogsmeade. It made a most wonderful place to visit on certain weekends while I was at Hogwarts."

"It should be finished in a couple of hours. Are you and Severus going to do any travelling? I mean like down to New Orleans, or some of the other communities? I wouldn't recommend going to like Podunk, Iowa, they might lynch you there for being different, but the mixed communities are good," Davy said with a laugh. He and Gregory had managed to do some travelling over the years even with the hectic schedules they both kept. "Don't let him keep you barefoot, pregnant, and in the kitchen."

"Merlin I am starving! Can we hurry it?" Harry shook his head. "I like being pregnant. Well, except for the morning sickness, but it really hasn't been all that bad. My place is here with Severus where ever he decides to take us. I like not really having a schedule and working in our shop, sometimes. I had a career. Played Quidditch, travelled but it wasn't everything I dreamed of. This is much better." He looked at Davy and smiled. "So much better."

Davy laughed, "No, if we use magic, it won't taste the same." He looked at Harry and had to agree that the younger man looked very happy and relaxed. "I can't wait until we have kids, you know, but it'll mean Gregory will have to take a break from medicine. Do you still fly? I mean obviously not now, but when you aren't pregnant."

"I think that's the first thing I am going to do after I deliver Reganne. Well that and take another ride on Sev's cycle." Harry grinned and then pouted. "I understand; I want it to taste the best. I have to eat something. Would you like a peanut butter and jam sandwich? I need to see if Sev would like something, too."

Davy twisted in the chair, leaning over to get his backpack from where he'd set it when he'd come in. "Maybe, I'm getting hungry smelling everything," he muttered as he fished out his monitor and while still turned away from Harry, pricked his finger and fed the strip to the monitor.

Harry tried to see what Davy was doing. "What are you doing? Are you alright?"

"I'm alright Harry, just checking my blood sugar is all, sorry," he replied as he waited for the beep to let him know how he was doing. Davy knew he felt all right, but he also knew he couldn't rely on just that to stay healthy.

There was a tinny little beeping noise and Davy quickly read the number, nodding his head before he put everything back in his bag. "I think I might have one of the boiled eggs I brought Harry, thanks for the offer of the sandwich though."

Harry crooked his head. "Why do you have to do that if you don't mind me asking? Can I get you anything else? There's a bit of that falafel stuff left over from what we made last night." He levered himself up out of the chair and walked to the fridge, bending down to open the door. "Sev, would you like something to eat?" He yelled as he rummaged through the shelves.

"I've got diabetes, so I have to keep an eye on things so I don't get sick," Davy explained as he considered the falafel. "That does sound good, I'll get it though. You go tend to him and Sarah.” He got up out of his chair and firmly moved Harry out of the way.

Severus looked up at Harry's call and smiled down at the little girl sitting on his lap. "Are you hungry as well Sarah?" he asked as he waited for Harry to appear in the room.

Sarah looked up at Severus wide eyed and nodded. "Turkey?"

Harry chuckled as he came out of the kitchen. "Not yet little Sarah but I can make a peanut butter and jam sandwich for you." He sat down on the couch next to Severus searching his face. "Husband, can you fix Davy's diabetes?"

Severus wished he could give his little husband a different answer than the one he had. "No Harry, I cannot. I've researched it in the past and there is nothing that can be brewed at this time that will cure it," he answered as he picked up the smaller man's hand in his own and kissed the fingers. "If you are offering to make a snack, I wouldn't mind a sandwich as well."

Harry frowned but nodded. "Yes Husband. Crisps too?" He leaned forward and kissed Severus' cheek. "I'll bring them right in."

"Crisps would be lovely. Are you enjoying your time with Davy?" Severus asked as he raised a hand to caress Harry's cheek, he was concerned that his younger husband may be overdoing himself.

Harry nodded. "You were right Husband, he's very nice. We've been talking about schooling and such. Apparently the school he went to had all ages in one building. Do you know where Reganne will be going to school?"

"She'll most likely go to school here in Echo Harry, would you prefer her to go to Durmstrang or Beauxbatons?" Severus asked, he'd not considered much on their daughter's formal education past the fact she would not be attending Hogwarts.

Harry thought about this for a moment. "No Husband, unless you would like her to go away. I'd rather she stay close to home."

"As would I. From what I understand, the schools here are excellent and she will receive both a Muggle and wizarding education. She'll not have to wait until she is eleven to do any magic, we can begin teaching her as soon as she shows signs of it budding," Severus said as he picked up Harry's hand and held it in his own. "There are several universities she'll be able to chose from that have wizarding curriculum as well."

Harry nodded and smiled at Severus. "Alright, we should wait and see what happens with her then." he leaned forward and kissed Severus then placed a gentle kiss on Sarah’s head as well. "I'll return with your sandwiches in a mo." He levered himself off the couch and pressed a hand to his back as he waddled back to the kitchen.

In the kitchen, Davy had taken the liberty of making three sandwiches, plating them and pouring glasses of milk. He was finishing putting them all on a tray when Harry came back in.

"Here you go, you sit down and I'll carry this through, alright?" he said as he smiled at the other man. "You look beat."

Harry smiled and nodded then grabbed the bag of chips on top of the fridge. "I could have gotten that." He let Davy take the tray though and followed him into the living room, setting beside Severus on the couch as Davy set the tray down on the coffee table. He sighed and leaned against Severus, chuckling softly. "This was fun but not something I want to do on a regular basis."

Severus smirked at him, arching a brow. "You mean you don't have a future in catering?" he teased as he took the plate Davy passed to him and then the one for Sarah, settling it carefully on the little girl's lap.

Davy grinned at Harry. "I think we should have a catering business or a restaurant, we'd put that Farnsworth woman out of business."

Harry grinned as he picked up half of a sandwich. "I've never eaten there but I've been warned about it." He took a bite and moaned as though he were eating a meal fit for a king instead of a simple peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Sarah looked at Harry, eyes wide then to Severus. "I can't eat the crusts."

Severus looked down at the little girl, not sure how to reply to her comment when Davy reached out and took her plate.

"I'll fix it Miss Sarah Bear," he said with a smile, taking the plate back into the kitchen where he cut the crusts off before bringing back to her.

"Thank you." Sarah grinned at him then bit into the soft white bread. "Daddy makes me eat them. I like yours better."

Severus laughed and then kissed the top of her head. "Well, we don't have to tell him if you don't want to." Watching both Harry and her eat, he picked up his own sandwich and took a healthy bite out of it.

Davy waited for a moment and when it was clear that no one needed anything, he went back into the kitchen to check on the meal.

@@@@@@@@@

Mother Wolffe sat at the kitchen table and watched Harry, Davy and Grant gather the dishes to take out to the table. When she and her nurse Celia had arrived, she had made the circuit, kissing everyone on the cheek and taking Severus' arm demanded a tour of the house.

She had been overjoyed to see how Harry had progressed and pronounced the baby healthy and strong. One long look at Davy had the old woman smiling and wagging her finger at him, telling him what a strong poppa he'd be. She predicted Allie's baby would be here tomorrow at two then began directing the traffic in the kitchen until Damon had settled her out of the way at the table with Baby in her lap. One gnarled hand stroked the slick puppy's fur as she watched the others get the final touches ready.

"I can't wait for this feast, little Harry. I remember Gracie's first Thanksgiving and Merlin, we choked down some dry turkey that year. But I trained her up well. The Wolffe men like their holiday feasts." She reached out and patted Grant's arm as he passed her with the sweet potato tart.

Grant's face coloured as Marion spoke, he didn't like being reminded of that first Thanksgiving dinner he'd cooked for them. He'd tried his damnedest to mimic Marion's cooking and had wanted to crawl under the table when he'd had the first bite.

"Mother Wolffe, I don't think Harry's will be like that, he has a chef helping him," Grant said as he bent to kiss the woman's cheek.

Marion reached up and patted Grant's cheek. "Well, Miss Gracie, you turned out a fine brood for my Damon and you turned into a lovely cook. Chefs can be pompous and overdramatic sometimes."

She turned and smiled at Davy. "No offense honey, but you are a Yankee too darling. A mighty handsome Yankee but one nonetheless."

Davy nearly spit out the mouthful of tea he'd just taken as he started laughing at the Yankee comment. "Thank you ma'am, I'll let my husband know you think so," he said as he motioned Damon over to take the turkey from the oven.

"I'll tell him myself, young man and speaking of which where is your dearest doctor? I miss my little Maxwell too. But he needs to be with that Allison for some reason or other, I suspect. Let's hope they have her drugged up so he can have a pleasant day." Marion stood to see the grand attraction as Damon pulled the bird from the oven.

Davy stood back to give Damon room. "Greg is at the hospital, I'll give him a call to see when he'll be here," he said as he moved out of the kitchen so he could call without the background noise.

He punched the button for Gregory's cell phone and waited while he leaned against the wall in the hallway.

Gregory felt the buzzing of his cell phone in his scrub pocket as he passed the baby he was holding to the new mom. He smiled at her and the family then excused himself to answer the phone. He smiled, as Davy's cell number appeared in the Caller Id and he flipped open the phone. "Hello, David."

"Hello Master," Davy said softly, a smile on his face as he heard his husband's voice. "How are you?"

"Super busy, love. I'm sorry but I don't think I can make it today. I have one baby on the way and it's looking to be a C-section so I have to stay close." Gregory sighed as he heard his name called over the P.A. system. "Got to go, Pet. I love you and have a good day."

"Love you too," Davy said quickly, just making it before the connection was broken. He leaned there for a moment longer, shaking his head. He should be used to it by now and in a way he was, but he'd hoped they could have been together for their first holiday in Echo. After a moment, he put his phone back in his pocket and then walked into the dining room, taking one place setting off of the table and setting it back in the china cabinet.

Harry watched Davy as he set the basket of rolls on the table and frowned. "What happened Davy?"

"Greg won't be able to make it for dinner... and I was kind of thinking about maybe just going on to the hospital so I could be with him," Davy said as he gave Harry a tight-lipped smile.

Harry pursed his lips and grabbed Davy's arm taking him into the kitchen. "We can't eat here." He announced and looked at Severus. "Half of the family is at the hospital. We need to go there."

Grant looked up at Harry's statement and then looked at Damon before he reached for the tinfoil in the cupboard. "I can start wrapping things to go, if you can manage the turkey Damon."

Davy held his hands up to stop them. "No, you all don't have to do that, you don't need to ruin your meal because of this."

Jason snorted and clapped Davy on the back. "Man, I've learned that these people just don't listen when they get an idea in their heads," he laughed as he went to help Grant.

Severus nodded. "Let me get the containers out of the Mustang." He held a hand up to Damon.

Damon tossed him the keys and placed the lid back on the roasting pan. "Let's get somewhere. I'm ready to eat. Davy, call him back and tell him we are coming to meet him. Have him get Max and Allie ready as well."

Marion smiled and shook her head. "Let's go, Celia. We have a handsome young doctor to meet. Merlin, I hope my curls haven't fallen." She touched her hair gently and placed Baby on the floor.

Shaking his head, Davy quickly called Greg back, hoping the call would go through.

Gregory stopped on his way to the Labour and Delivery floor. "Corrican." He said hurriedly as he pushed open the doorway to the stairs and began climbing.

"It's me again, sorry to bother you, but we're bringing dinner to the hospital. I'll have them set up in the meeting room next to the cafeteria," Davy said clearly so his husband wouldn't have to ask him to repeat it.

Gregory stopped. "You're coming here? Davy, you don't have to do that." he shook his head and continued up the stairs, pushing open the door to enter the ward. He stopped at the nurses’ desk and waved his hand for the chart, he'd been paged about.

"It wasn't my idea, I was just going to come and wait in the lounge for you, but Harry..." Davy began. "Is this alright?"

Gregory chuckled. "Harry made you huh? Come on then Pet. I'd love to see you. You know I could never pass up one of your meals even if it's by proxy."

Smiling, Davy gave Harry a thumb's up. "Alright, I'll call you when it's all set up. Would you like me to go up and let Max and his wife know?"

"Call them if you wish, Pet. I need to go. I'll try to make it down there. Be careful and love you." Gregory nodded at Masters and snapped the phone shut.

@@@@@@@@

Quickly with Damon giving orders, the group had the entire meal safely in two vehicles and everyone loaded up to head for the hospital. Davy had called ahead, pulling a few strings to get that meeting room set up with a large enough table for everyone.

Behind the wheel of his truck, Severus looked over at Harry and smiled. "That was very Gryffindor of you, brat," he said kindly in reference to moving the meal to the hospital. "You didn't have to do that, you know."

Harry looked at his stomach, playing with the hem of his shirt. "I want all of us to be together. The only other time I had that was with the Weasleys. That was only for a few days." He turned to face Severus. "It's nice to know this one that has so many can still come together. Thank you for allowing me to have a family again, Husband."

Taking his hand off of the wheel, Severus cupped Harry's chin and drew him close for a kiss. "You will always have a family that loves you," he reassured gently as they drove down the road. "I dare to say you've made a brilliant meal today."

Harry grinned. "Thank you, Severus. Having Davy there helped immensely." His stomach gurgled. "I can't wait to eat."

Riding in the back seat of the Mustang, Davy sat next to a very quiet Jason who had begged unsuccessfully to just be allowed to go home since this was for family only.

"How far along are you?" Davy asked quietly, Damon and Grant busy chatting about who knew what in the front seat.

Davy rubbed his stomach. "Almost twenty-four weeks. Looks like I swallowed a basketball, huh?"

Davy just kind of grinned. "Do you know if it's a boy or girl? I mean... can you tell?" he asked, genuinely curious. He'd not known any pregnant wizard close enough that he could ask questions and for some reason, Harry seemed taboo for him to ask.

Jason nodded. "There are ways to tell but I don't want it confirmed just yet." He shook his head. "I don't want anyone else knowing. That way it will be all mine. Sounds dumb, doesn't it."

"Is it true about what they say?" Davy blushed as he tried to think of a way to ask. "That if it's a girl... nothing works anymore?" He finished quickly as he looked in rapt fascination at Davy’s belly, wanting to reach out and touch, but knowing better.

Jason grinned. "If I answer that then you'll know what the baby is." he smirked. "Ask Harry." The two of them had already had this conversation and Jason had learned to avoid the question. Harry had wanted to know what the baby was as well. He smiled at Davy. "He won't mind, I promise." The longer he spent around the Wolffes and the Snapes the more he was relaxing back into his old gregarious self.

Davy just shook his head; there was no way by Merlin's beard that he would ask the submissive husband of his former Master. He did have a small bit of self-preservation going for him. "That's alright, I'm sorry I asked."

Unbeknownst to the pair, Grant had been listening with half an ear and turned to look at them over the back of the seat. "Yes Davy, impotence or lack of is one telling sign of the sex of the child a man with Fleymann's carries," he said and then turned back around with a smug smile.

"Oh just kill me now," Davy muttered, his face flaming red in embarrassment.

Jason laughed. "It's like catching your parents in the act, huh?" He smiled up at the older couple in the front seat. "You get used to it. I have and it's not entirely a bad thing," he said softly.

"They like you, that's pretty obvious. I know them from somewhere else when I was another person," Davy said quietly, then bit his lower lip. "It's kind of weird to know them now. They've seen me at possibly my worst. Before Greg."

Jason looked at Davy, searching him for a moment. "And the fact that you are still here says that they like you too. It also says they don't care what you were like in the past. It's the now that matters." He nudged the other man. "Took me a bit to learn that too."

@@@@@@

Max looked up as Allie shifted in the bed, making a little grunt of noise as she opened her eyes in the sunlight coming into the room. "Hey babygirl, how are you feeling? Did you have a good nap?" he asked as he stood up from the recliner next to her bed and stretched. He'd had some sleep through the night as he'd stayed by his wife's side as he'd promised he would and had taken a small nap while she'd been resting.

Allie watched him stretch and smiled at him. "I'm okay. Are you resting too? How's Sarah?"

Max slipped one hand under her blanket, running his hand gently over her lower leg, pressing his thumb into her skin just above her ankle to check for swelling. "You're legs are normal baby," he said as he pushed the blanket back to look at her legs as well. "And you have some damn fine ankles." He teased.

"Grant called earlier and said that Sarah had slept through the night, but she's missing her mama," Max said as he sat down on the edge of her bed. "I'll call later and see if they can bring her by if you are feeling up to it." He was missing their daughter too, and wondered if Allie might actually be discharged since the swelling in her legs had disappeared and her headaches gone.

"Thank you." Allie flushed and nodded, pulling her feet back under the blankets. "I miss her too. I'd love to see her." She held out a hand to him. "Is Adam coming by today? Maybe Doctor Corrican? I'd like to get this monitor off." She gestured to the air hockey paddle looking device strapped to her stomach with a stretchy band.

Max took her hand and helped ease her up into a comfortable sitting position. "Would you like your back rubbed?" he asked as he picked up her hair brush and began to tenderly brush out her dark hair, knowing how she liked to look good at all times. "I'll go see if I can't find one of them, I'm not sure who is here today with it being a holiday."

"Sure." Allie hummed and closed her eyes while Max brushed her hair. "I'm sorry I wasn't able to make you a big meal." She whispered softly.

Max bent down and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. "Don't even worry about it Al, I can't think of anywhere I'd rather be right now than right here with you," he said as he finished up her hair. "Besides, I'm going to have to start watching what I eat."

He ran his large hands over her back, slowly working out all the knots and kinks from sleeping in the hospital bed the night before. "Would you like your makeup? I think your kit is in your bag, Grant said he packed it for you."

Allie groaned as Max's large hands moved over her skin. "I've missed this." She leaned her head back and looked at him. "You know just the two of us." She bowed her head again and nodded. "I want to wash my face first, brush my teeth then I'll put on my war paint."

Max waggled his eyebrows at her, letting one hand slip around to cup one of her breasts playfully over her gown. "I have too," he grinned as he moved his hand back to continue her back rub. "I'll get you a wash cloth and what you need for your teeth in a moment, okay?"

Allie groaned and rubbed his leg with her fingertips. "I can't believe you still want me like this. I'm huge." She looked up at him grinning. "It's all your fault I'm having an elephant, you know. I don't think a Daddy stitch is going to fix it this time."

He raised a brow at her and grinned. "Of course I want you, don't you know how beautiful you are right now?" He was being honest to her, in his eyes she was the most beautiful woman he knew.

"I don't think little Max is going to do any damage to you, baby, you are going to be just fine," he said as he went to fetch a hot washcloth for her face.

Allie snorted as she watched him. "You aren't the one trying to push a watermelon out of a hole the size of a lemon." She shook her head and closed her eyes leaning back against the pillows. Her body felt languid and relaxed after the massage and she sighed. The baby moved, rolling the monitor across her stomach and kicking at it, causing it to bounce and disrupt the readings. "Max, he hates this thing I swear. He just kicked it offline again."

Max sighed softly as he took the washcloth and washed his wife's face for her. "I'm sorry Al, I promise, there won't be anymore," he said softly. He set the washcloth down and ran one large hand over her swollen belly, willing his son to settle down and let his mommy be for just a little while.

Gregory knocked on the door and open it just a crack. "Max, Mrs. Sorens." He stepped in, holding a chart and smiling at the couple. "How are you this afternoon? I caught the alarm and came to check on the baby."

Max looked up and then moved away from his wife to let Gregory come in closer. "The baby's not happy about having the monitor pressed against him. Have you seen Adam yet today? I want to ask him about Allie maybe getting to go home since her symptoms have cleared up," he said as he gave his wife a small smile.

Gregory nodded as he reset the machine and checked the past readouts. "Adam is in surgery right now." He looked at Allie and Max. "There aren't many mothers or babies that like the monitor, I apologize for that but I really don't want to place an internal one on him because this one is doing just fine even if it's uncomfortable. The data I am seeing really is fantastic and tells me he's a healthy little guy." He smiled then continued.

"I do have some good news for you, if you are feeling up for it. Harry has decided we all need to have Thanksgiving together so they are bringing all the food and convening in the meeting room just off the cafeteria. We can disconnect the monitor for a little and take you down there for a meal if you promise to stay in the wheelchair. That gets you both out of this room and you'll have a home cooked meal with the family. Sound like a deal?"

Allie looked at her husband for a moment, a mew of disgust on her face. "Will it be completely cooked this time?" she asked.

Max frowned and leaned forward to look her in the eye. "Allison, don't start. We've had a good day so far. I would like to spend the rest of it peacefully with our family."

"I have a right to ask Max, I can't look at it if it's all bloody and nasty. That stuff he made the last time just looked so gross," she said a small bit of defiance in her voice. She didn't want to spend her little bit of time out of bed hunched over the toilet puking because Harry couldn't cook meat right.

Max wasn't backing down this time however, not in front of Gregory. "You have made me medium rare steaks on more than one occasion as well as eaten some of the most god awful things you called cravings while pregnant. Don't give me that bullshit, Allie. They have all given you the benefit of the doubt because you have been so miserable and once again everyone is trying to provide you with a sense of family. Now, I suggest you grin and bear it or I will go down there by myself to enjoy what is so freely given. I'm tired of this, Allie. Please don't do this today."

Allie didn't say anything, just looked down and glanced at Gregory out of the corner of her eye, smirking to herself as she saw how uncomfortable he was at the situation. Taking a breath, pausing before she let it out, she put a chagrined look on her face before she looked back up at her husband.

"Yes Max, I'll be good, I don't want you to be unhappy with me," she said in a near whisper, trying hard not to laugh at the paediatrician’s discomfort.

Max searched her face for a moment and nodded then turned to Gregory. "We'd love to go."

Gregory cleared his throat and flushed as he heard their whispered words. "Well then, let me get a nurse to collect a wheelchair and I'll take you from the monitor." He quickly disabled the alarm and removed the device from her stomach. "Davy just called me a few moments ago and was on his way up here with Sarah to bring you down so I'll see you there."

He left the room quickly calling for a nurse as the door closed behind him.

Allie looked around and spotted the little bag Grant had packed for her. "May I wear my robe?" she asked, pushing the blankets down over her legs and stretching. Her nightgown was a fresh one after her sponge bath that morning, so she knew she was clean, she just didn't want to be so exposed.

Max nodded and retrieved the requested clothing, helping her to manoeuvre the clothing around her IV. He handed her make up and waited while she fixed her face. A nurse came with the wheelchair, with Davy and Sarah following, just as she was finishing and helped Max move her to it. She attached the IV to the pole and nodded at the two of them wishing them a happy holiday. Max looked down at her as Davy held open the door to her room and pushed her out into the hall. "Ready?"